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Brush with Fame

Ashie62 Dec 14 2017 09:27 PM

As requested. I will add after leaving Knopfler I walked across 48th St. kinda out of it and walked headfirst into a person, looked up and said "B.B. King, can I shake your hand.? I'm gonna add that I interned for N.J. Senator Harrison Williams during Abscam and had a drink with with Alan Alda and Bircch Bayh in his Russell office. Let er Rip.

Benjamin Grimm Dec 14 2017 09:29 PM Re: Brush with Fame

I once met Larry "Bud" Melman. And I knew Bill deBlasio when we were both at NYU and he had a different name.

Ashie62 Dec 14 2017 09:37 PM Re: Brush with Fame

Larry Bud, awesome!

cooby Dec 14 2017 09:42 PM Re: Brush with Fame

I met Rusty, but then again, several others of us did that same day :D

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 14 2017 09:57 PM Re: Brush with Fame

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I once met Larry "Bud" Melman. And I knew Bill deBlasio when we were both at NYU and he had a different name. He had a different name? I don't know if NYC's ever had such an indifferent mayor. Not that I'd prefer another clown like Giuliani, but at least he publicly got off on being a mayor. It's as though DeBlasio, if that is his real name, doesn't really give a shit that he's the mayor. On topic: I went to high school with Mariah Carey

Benjamin Grimm Dec 14 2017 10:05 PM Re: Brush with Fame

I knew him as "Bill Wihelm", which is the name he was using then. His birth name is "Warren Wilhelm" but I guess "Bill" was a nickname, although I didn't know it at the time. When he became a candidate for mayor under the "deBlasio" name (which was his mother's maiden name) I didn't know that he was the guy that I knew years ago. When I found out (through a mutual friend) that Bill deBlasio was Bill Wilhelm it totally blew my mind. It was a very strange feeling to learn that a celebrity stranger was actually an old acquaintance.

dgwphotography Dec 14 2017 10:26 PM Re: Brush with Fame

When I was in high school, and worked at the local bowling alley, Michael Bolton and his first wife used to stop in and bowl every Saturday night. A few years later, the then future Mrs. DGW and I ran into him one Sunday night at a local Howard Johnson's. He said that he loved writing, but the label was pressuring him to record more and he was changing direction with his music. He was on his way to NYC to start recording his next album the next day - The Hunger. I went to college with a kid who was related to Alex Lifeson. When Rush came to the New Haven Coliseum for the Signals Tour, we got back stage passes, and I met Alex and Geddy Lee.

Lefty Specialist Dec 14 2017 11:19 PM Re: Brush with Fame

As we speak I'm on a Jetblue flight from Orlando with Jay Horwitz. The head is as big as advertised.

d'Kong76 Dec 14 2017 11:40 PM Re: Brush with Fame

Coach or first class!?!

Lefty Specialist Dec 15 2017 12:01 AM Re: Brush with Fame

No first class on this plane. He paid the same $40 for extra legroom that I did. I'm betting the Wilpons won't spring for that extravagance.

d'Kong76 Dec 15 2017 12:02 AM Re: Brush with Fame

Haha!

MFS62 Dec 15 2017 12:50 AM Re: Brush with Fame

Lefty Specialist wrote: No first class on this plane. He paid the same $40 for extra legroom that I did. I'm betting the Wilpons won't spring for that extravagance. Nya Nya. I got put in first class when my flight got cancelled on another flight and this was the last one of the day. For FREE. Right behind me was Ric Ocasek. Later

d'Kong76 Dec 15 2017 01:34 AM Re: Brush with Fame

I met Rusty, but then again, several others of us did that same day :D And Mr. Met too, can't beat that day. I used to know a family who knew Cardinal Cooke and met him several times at functions. The first time I was so stoned, I don't think he knew. I guess he's the most famous person I've spent some actual time with, not just a brush or whatever.

Edgy MD Dec 15 2017 01:53 AM Re: Brush with Fame

You're Cardinal Cooke? What a coincidence. I'm BAKED! Basic rule about being stoned: You wonder if anyone knows, and EVERYONE knows.

Fman99 Dec 15 2017 03:34 AM Re: Brush with Fame

Met Henry Winkler here in Syracuse, at the airport (he was in town for the annual "Syracuse Nationals" car show). A more gracious, approachable celebrity I'll likely never meet. I told him I loved him in "Night Shift." Met Luis Guzman, character actor, at JFK. Told him I love him in "Boogie Nights," then regretted later that I picked that over "Traffic," in which he was also quite great. Airports are the common man's best chance at seeing someone of notoriety. Only the very very well off can afford private air travel.

Lefty Specialist Dec 15 2017 01:24 PM Re: Brush with Fame

Jay, impeccably dressed as always.

Edgy MD Dec 15 2017 02:38 PM Re: Brush with Fame

Fman99 wrote: Met Henry Winkler here in Syracuse, at the airport (he was in town for the annual "Syracuse Nationals" car show). A more gracious, approachable celebrity I'll likely never meet. Same experience with the Fonz here. My dad had a lot of big shot acquaintances from his days in the hospitality industry (see the Jim Nabors mini-thread). He adored Princess Grace and Karen Carpenter, but he never stopped about going on about how great Henry Winkler was and how gracious he was whether people were looking or not.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Dec 15 2017 02:39 PM Re: Brush with Fame

Fman99 wrote: Met Luis Guzman, character actor, at JFK. Told him I love him in "Boogie Nights," then regretted later that I picked that over "Traffic," in which he was also quite great. You picked the right movie, methinks. Airports are pretty great for this sort of thing. My roll call of between-flights run-ins includes getting a haircut next to a host of old-school WWF wrestlers (Bret Hart, Brutus Beefcake, and Greg Valentine among them) and buying Burt Young a drink at a Friday's during March Madness. Switching my career tack to the restaurant rat race has also been a boon for my celebrity-meet numbers. At a previous gig (where the owners were pretty big starf$ckers, not coincidentally) with an in-kitchen chef's table, I exchanged fist bumps (!?) with Michael Stipe, swapped mildly-dirty jokes with Jon Hamm, and made scallop crudos and seared hake up close for musicians from Alabama Shakes (dicks) to Skrillex (surrounded by faded-looking teenaged girls). Also, Charles Barkley and his daughter, who looked disturbingly like Charles Barkley.

41Forever Dec 15 2017 02:57 PM Re: Brush with Fame

The job sometimes puts me in the room with some interesting folks. But in terms of chance encounters, I ran into Richard Nixon at Yankee Stadium. He was in a box next to the press box, and shook my hand and talked a little baseball. It was wonderful! My mother accidentally stabbed Keith Hernandez with a broomstick in a Jupiter, Fla. Publix. She had one in her cart, turned a corner and crashed into Keith. I was proud she knew who he was! He was very gracious and friendly, she said. While not a chance encounter, I went to high school with some of the acting Baldwin brothers. Alec is older, but the younger ones were in some classes. Served on student council with their sister, who is very nice!

Centerfield Dec 15 2017 03:05 PM Re: Brush with Fame Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 15 2017 03:07 PM

As a kid, I taught Cyndi Lauper how to play skee ball. Was already a huge fan. Still love her to this day. Living in NY, you see quite a few celebrities: *Sat next to Robert Wuhl (Arliss, Candlesticks make a nice gift) at CitiField once. *My son got a high five from Chris Rock for wearing a Mets hat. Chris Rock was also wearing a Mets hat. *My family rode the elevator with Derek Jeter. My son remembers this, but my daughter was too young. *Same elevator with Hideki Matsui. Hung out in the lobby with him for a little bit another time. *Same building, met Steve Harvey and Pat O'Brien when the kids were trick or treating. *My son went to preschool with the son of Pat Kiernan from NY1 *My son played baseball with the son of the actor who played Carver on The Wire. His name was Seth. Forgot his last name. *My daughter ran over restauranteur Marc Murphy while on her scooter. Marc was super cool about it and told me she was cute. Saw him pretty regularly after that and he always gave her a wink. *Same road, nearly ran over Jamie Lannister. He was cool about it too. I guess she used to be pretty reckless on that scooter... *Met former NY Governor David Paterson at an event at my daughter's school. He's a Mets fan. *My son went to a clinic at CitiField, was coached by Bob Geren, Tim Teufel and Dan Warthen. There was a buzz that Dwight Gooden might be there but he never showed. Later that night, Cliff Lee tossed him a baseball. Next year he went to YSIII, was coached by Mickey Rivers and Goose Gossage. Didn't recognize who the others were. Afterwards, they brought him into the press room and he interviewed Brian Cashman. Later that day, he caught a BP HR off the bat of Carlos Beltran. *I've told the story about how my son and I rode the elevator with Tom Seaver. The prick couldn't be bothered to even glance at the little boy who would have loved to meet the greatest Met of all time. I told him afterwards that he had been on the elevator, and he didn't understand why we didn't talk to him. *Walking around the US Open with my son, we saw US Tennis player Jack Sock hitting around. He wrapped up, saw the 5 (6?) year old watching him, then invited him on the court, hit a few balls to him, shook his hand and gave him 2 tennis balls to take home. We had never heard of him before then, but we root for him to this day. All of these are from my personal life. Represented a few celebrities and been across the table from others. Will keep that part to myself.

Centerfield Dec 15 2017 03:06 PM Re: Brush with Fame

41Forever wrote: The job sometimes puts me in the room with some interesting folks. But in terms of chance encounters, I ran into Richard Nixon at Yankee Stadium. He was in a box next to the press box, and shook my hand and talked a little baseball. It was wonderful! My mother accidentally stabbed Keith Hernandez with a broomstick in a Jupiter, Fla. Publix. She had one in her cart, turned a corner and crashed into Keith. I was proud she knew who he was! He was very gracious and friendly, she said. While not a chance encounter, I went to high school with some of the acting Baldwin brothers. Alec is older, but the younger ones were in some classes. Served on student council with their sister, who is very nice! 41Forever, are you from CNS?

HahnSolo Dec 15 2017 03:19 PM Re: Brush with Fame

My many years in publishing enabled me to meet a number of celebrity authors. Among the notable: - Carroll O'Connor was super nice; signed his book for my parents who couldn't believe I met Archie Bunker. - Rachael Ray was nice but had a potty mouth. - Joe Torre was amazingly gracious (am I allowed to say that?). - Dr. Phil couldn't be a bigger asshole if he tried. For chance encounters: - Tony Roberts sat in a box next to me in the 1988 NLCS. He sounded like a WFAN caller. - I rode an elevator at the CBS Black Rock building with Ozzy Osbourne. I complimented him on his new album (it was the one with "A Shot in the Dark") and his shoes, which were royal blue with a screaming tiger's face on each.

41Forever Dec 15 2017 03:29 PM Re: Brush with Fame Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 15 2017 03:39 PM

Centerfield wrote: 41Forever wrote: The job sometimes puts me in the room with some interesting folks. But in terms of chance encounters, I ran into Richard Nixon at Yankee Stadium. He was in a box next to the press box, and shook my hand and talked a little baseball. It was wonderful! My mother accidentally stabbed Keith Hernandez with a broomstick in a Jupiter, Fla. Publix. She had one in her cart, turned a corner and crashed into Keith. I was proud she knew who he was! He was very gracious and friendly, she said. While not a chance encounter, I went to high school with some of the acting Baldwin brothers. Alec is older, but the younger ones were in some classes. Served on student council with their sister, who is very nice! 41Forever, are you from CNS? CNS? Not recognizing that one. Grew up in Massapequa Park.

A Boy Named Seo Dec 15 2017 03:37 PM Re: Brush with Fame

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Fman99 wrote: Met Luis Guzman, character actor, at JFK. Told him I love him in "Boogie Nights," then regretted later that I picked that over "Traffic," in which he was also quite great. You picked the right movie, methinks. Airports are pretty great for this sort of thing. My roll call of between-flights run-ins includes getting a haircut next to a host of old-school WWF wrestlers (Bret Hart, Brutus Beefcake, and Greg Valentine among them) and buying Burt Young a drink at a Friday's during March Madness. Switching my career tack to the restaurant rat race has also been a boon for my celebrity-meet numbers. At a previous gig (where the owners were pretty big starf$ckers, not coincidentally) with an in-kitchen chef's table, I exchanged fist bumps (!?) with Michael Stipe, swapped mildly-dirty jokes with Jon Hamm, and made scallop crudos and seared hake up close for musicians from Alabama Shakes (dicks) to Skrillex (surrounded by faded-looking teenaged girls). Also, Charles Barkley and his daughter, who looked disturbingly like Charles Barkley. What joke did you tell to Hamm?

Centerfield Dec 15 2017 03:45 PM Re: Brush with Fame

41Forever wrote: 41Forever wrote: The job sometimes puts me in the room with some interesting folks. But in terms of chance encounters, I ran into Richard Nixon at Yankee Stadium. He was in a box next to the press box, and shook my hand and talked a little baseball. It was wonderful! My mother accidentally stabbed Keith Hernandez with a broomstick in a Jupiter, Fla. Publix. She had one in her cart, turned a corner and crashed into Keith. I was proud she knew who he was! He was very gracious and friendly, she said. While not a chance encounter, I went to high school with some of the acting Baldwin brothers. Alec is older, but the younger ones were in some classes. Served on student council with their sister, who is very nice! 41Forever, are you from CNS? CNS? Not recognizing that one. Grew up in Massapequa Park. Sorry, I thought I had read somewhere that Alec Baldwin was from Syracuse. (CNS = Cicero North Syracuse)

sharpie Dec 15 2017 03:48 PM Re: Brush with Fame

Have run into numerous celebrities. Doesn't count if I don't have an interaction. Also not counting people who I have met during my publishing career. Went to college with Annette Bening. Knew her well. At about the same time I was friendly with Kathy Baker. Had a few chats with Sam Shepard. Interesting and generous man. Sad about his passing. Dr. Ruth said that I would have great sex for the rest of my life because I helped her out on a work thing. Played poker until dawn with Dana Carvey at his house. Shoveled snow with Bill de Blasio. His place in Park Slope is right near mine. Richard Thompson, Bill Frisell, Nels Cline and a few more I have met through a friend of mine who has worked for them.

cooby Dec 15 2017 04:06 PM Re: Brush with Fame

Good stuff here. I have a question. How do you know that's who they are? I wouldn't probably be sure I saw Keith unless he reassured me. And he's the most recognizable one to me, lol. Well, I DID know Rusty. And Mr. Met :D

Benjamin Grimm Dec 15 2017 04:09 PM Re: Brush with Fame

I once saw Howard Cosell walking into the ABC Building in Manhattan. Because it was the place where I knew he worked, I was certain it was him. But if I had seen Howard Cosell at the 7-Eleven, I probably would have thought, gee, that guy looks like Howard Cosell. Unless I also heard him speaking, then I would have known it was him.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 15 2017 04:14 PM Re: Brush with Fame

I saw Gilbert Gottfried walking down 5th Avenue in Manhattan. He was wearing a kids backpack that was a giveaway from some Disney movie he was working on. I followed him all the way to a midtown sidestreet where he entered a building with a Jewish bookstore. As an aside, I saw the GILBERT documentary and would recommend it. Explains the reused freebie backpack, he's an odd guy who travels by $1 Megabus to gigs and takes and keeps all the freebee toothbrushes he can get at hotels and stuff. I wish there was more about what made him so funny and performance footage while also including the home/family/oddball stuff but you can't have it all.

RealityChuck Dec 15 2017 04:20 PM Re: Brush with Fame

I've met (and am friends with) quite a few science fiction writers. Some who I had interactions with include Samuel R. Delany, Esther Friesner, Nancy Kress, Octavia Butler, Terry Brooks, Adam-Troy Castro, Mary Robinette Kowal, Neil Gaiman, Charles Gannon, Ryk Spoor, David Weber, Terry Pratchett, David Drake, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, Kathy Koja, Peter David (a Mets fan), Allen Steele, Keith R. A. Candido, Jane Yolen, Barry B. Longyear, and Hal Clement. As far as actors are concerned, I was on a panel with Michael O'Hare from Babylon 5 (He was very quiet. Turns out that this was about the time he was having paranoid hallucinations, so he was probably working hard to keep things together). I also once met Jane Badler of V, but we were both kids at the time (my mother roomed with her mother in college). I saw Moondog once on a visit to NYC.

Lefty Specialist Dec 15 2017 04:47 PM Re: Brush with Fame

I've ridden in an elevator with Gary Cohen. My wife was gushing at him like a schoolgirl, but he was very gracious.

Lefty Specialist Dec 15 2017 04:54 PM Re: Brush with Fame

And I knew James O'Neill, the NYPD Commissioner, who was my brother's best friend in high school. He was a goofy teenager with long hair who'd hang around our house occasionally. I knew he'd gone into the police department but I had no idea how high he'd risen until he was named Chief of Department a few years ago and my brother said, "Yes, that's THE Jimmy O'Neill." His voice is exactly the same but the long haired teenager is now bald as a billiard ball.

d'Kong76 Dec 15 2017 05:13 PM Re: Brush with Fame

So, I've been thinking... Non-athletes: Kevin Burkhardt (talked to at charity event) Gary Cohen (talked to at charity event) Ron Darling (talked to at charity event, as broadcaster not stud pitcher) F X Healy (the broadcaster, not the 'catcher', Shea corridor) Chuck Scarboro (mid-town, he was going to a wedding in full make-up) Whoopi Goldberg (mid-town in her limo stuck in traffic and she had her window down shaking hands with people) Richard Thomas (Time Sq walking around.. the old KB couldn't remember his name story and hey said, "why yes, I'm him" or something like that) Mayor Koch (at Shea, bigger than life, hands even bigger) Gov Pataki (he's from my home town and was mayor) Gov Cuomo (the real one, not the current one) Steve Wynn (strolling around his casino, refused me free chips)

Edgy MD Dec 15 2017 05:15 PM Re: Brush with Fame

Dudes, a whole bunch of us met Bobby.

d'Kong76 Dec 15 2017 05:17 PM Re: Brush with Fame

I was thinking of him, but figured he was not a non-athlete.

metirish Dec 15 2017 05:47 PM Re: Brush with Fame

Lars and Kirk form Metallica at American Trash on the UES many years ago, they were very cool , various Irish soccer players when I was young that I doubt people here would know.

Edgy MD Dec 15 2017 05:55 PM Re: Brush with Fame

I'm glad your interaction was nice, but Lars Ulrich always struck me as just about the biggest d-bag in rock. Like, I imagined Kevin Dubrow and Fred Durst hung out at Ted Nugent's house and they all talked about what douche Ulrich was.

metirish Dec 15 2017 05:57 PM Re: Brush with Fame

I agree , but that night he was very nice, liked talking about Thin Lizzy and Ireland , I was with them for quite a while as I was hanging with the bar owner ...

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 15 2017 06:01 PM Re: Brush with Fame

My best might have been a raucous 7 train ride following a Mets game back in 99 when it seemed to me like fans were all crazy for the team and they hadn't broke me yet. I forget some of the details but on the train with us was the celebrity I recognized and announced to the train as "The guy from MTV who couldn't get laid!" I had the same Darryl Strawberry poster he's rocking during the interview segments (see 1:56 of the video). [youtube:3oxta5jv]NmN4-V8xPFI[/youtube:3oxta5jv]

batmagadanleadoff Dec 15 2017 06:41 PM Re: Brush with Fame Edited 3 time(s), most recently on Dec 15 2017 07:11 PM

Saw Keith Hernandez a coupl'a times: at some East Hampton joint just off Montauk Highway. (On a separate occasion, I saw Sigourney Weaver at that same joint -- we clinked our coca-colas); saw Keith strolling down some street in Southhampton once ; and saw Keith once at the Gotham Bar & Grill, with who I presumed was his date. They walked to the back of the restaurant to meet whom I was assuming were his dates' parents. And while Keith had to walk past about 20 tables to get to his, this being NYC, no one said a word to him or so much as flinched to pay any attention. Saw Donald Trump more times than I can remember, mostly at Shea Stadium, where I usually sat no more than 30 or 40 feet away from him. His hair looked very freaky even in the 90s. Saw the Donald with some date (his, not mine) late night at some just past its trendy prime East Village eatery. They joined some half dozen or so patrons already seated, who based on looks, did not look like Trump's crowd. This was, if I remember correctly, during the Ivana/Marla interregnum. Trump's a tall guy. But not a nice guy. Some elevator encounters include a) Fred Wilpon at the Shea Diamond Club elevator about 20 years ago. He looked very patrician; b) JFK Jr., (just me and him). He didn't even bother to turn his body even the slightest to acknowledge my existence or presence. He also looked very patrician, now that I think of it. I couldn't help but notice how bulletproof his hair looked. Seriously. I think that if I'd shot a bullet into his head of hair, the bullet probably wouldn't have exited the other side. And speaking of Ivana and elevators, I rode the elevator with her in my old apartment building. I saw Budd Mishkin, then of NY1 in the lobby of that building, presumably waiting for a friend. Also saw James Gandolfini, James Caan and Raquel Welch in that lobby. And speaking of that building, Derek Jeter lived there for a couple of years. He parked his car right next to mine in the parking garage. So did Dick Cavett, (in that garage, but not next to mine) whom I chatted up. Cavett, not Jeter. Once, I saw a stretch limo pull up in front of my building. The doors opened up to reveal a contingent of Yankees, including Darryl Strawberry, leading the procession of Yankees who got out to get their teammate Jeter for what I assumed was gonna be a night out on the town. The Yankees must've played a Saturday afternoon game that day. I'd seen Jeter several times walking the neighborhood during his stay. There was a rumor that he was seeing Mariah Carey who supposedly had an apartment a block away. And though the rumors of Jeter and Carey turned out to be true, I never did see Mariah in the nabe. I did see Abe Vigoda stroll that nabe more times than I can remember. In slippers. Him in slippers, not me. He didn't walk so much as he shuffled, without hardly ever even picking up his feet. It looked like a reverse moonwalk. Reverse because Abe was going forward and in a moonwalk, you're supposed to go backwards. Another celeb that must've lived nearby because I'd seen him on the streets several times was the actor who played the jewish mobster Hesh on the Sopranos. I can't remember his name, but he also played the heavy in Woody Allen's Manhattan Murder Mystery, which coincidentally, was filmed in that nabe. I even saw one of the MMM "shoots". I guess the actor who played Hesh didn't have to travel far to work on that pic. I saw Richard Nixon just before his death on Lower Broadway in the Wall Street area. We were walking in opposite oncoming directions. I stopped dead in my tracks and did a double-take when I noticed it was him. Then I turned around and watched him as he continued to walk, farther and farther away from me. This scene would repeat itself every 20 or 30 feet as every pedestrian he'd pass did the same exact stop dead in the tracks and double-take that I did. As I watched Nixon continue north on Broadway, I could see that he'd left a trail of staring statues, all shocked at seeing Nixon on Broadway. His secret service detail consisted of just one young and healthy looking in-his 30s protector. I fist bumped with Muhammad Ali in the lobby of my old office building. He was there for a book signing, I think, at the adjacent Barnes & Nobles. A section of the office lobby had been cordoned off and made into some pre book signing staging area for Ali and his handlers. I was unaware of all of this. I was just returning from lunch when I stumbled into the whole thing unintentionally. Saw Joan Rivers crossing the street in the pouring rain with an acquaintance of hers who was disabled and might have been a polio sufferer, based on his gait and the metal crutches that were strapped to his upper arms. They tried to navigate the very tight space between my parked car (I was waiting for a friend) and the car parked directly in front of mine. When I realized what was happening, I signaled for them to wait, and then I backed up my car some to give them a wider path. Joan smiled at me in acknowledgement of my good deed, and stretched out her arms stiffly to clap her hands in recognition. I appreciated her gesture but couldn't help but notice that with her stiff-arm clap, she resembled a penguin. Saw Bryant Gumbel standing in a torrential downpour on Third Avenue, talking to an acquaintance. Must've been VIP stuff being discussed for Bryant to stand there in the rain. His raincoat was beautiful. Larry "Bud" Melman at a place that used to cut my hair for a few years in the 90s. Should I be proud of this, or ashamed? I don't know. Saw John Franco at Paneantico (mentioned in the sandwich thread). He made eye contact with me. This was very shortly after the Mets and Rickey Henderson had parted ways. I had a Rickey black Mets jersey that I happened to be wearing on that encounter. I assume it was the jersey that caught Franco's eye. Some other restaurant encounters: Vanna White at the Carnegie Deli. I sat right next to her. The Carnegie had these long tables that seated several parties. She was with a male guest and in the 45 minutes or so that I got to observe her, those two didn't say a single word to each other. They might not have even made eye contact with each other. Maybe it was because the food was so great. I've been to the Carnegie more than 50 times, maybe even closer to 100 times in my lifetime. It must've been a Knick hangout, being that it was on 7th Ave., like the Garden, and a straight-shot less than 10 minute drive to the deli at night, after a Knick game. I'd seen Derek Harper and Patrick Ewing there, while they were on the Knicks. And a retired Bernard King leaving his car double parked out in front while he went in to take his order out. Also saw Walt Frazier there. Also saw Walt a couple a times in the old nabe where Abe Vigoda and Jeets and Hesh also lived, including once on a 100 degree scorcher of a Summer day where he was wearing the shortest 70s style shorts I ever did see on a grown man taller than six feet.; Tim Burton at Petrossian; Don King several times at one of The Palm restaurants where he was a regular. And so was I. And Kathleen Turner a few times at that same Palm where she was also apparently a regular, but only like for a few months or so, as far as I understood; Saw Joe DiMaggio in a restaurant with my parents when I was a teen-ager and I swear that Joe couldn't take his eyes off my mom. I was the only one who noticed this and everytime I turned around to look at Joe, there he was staring my mom up and down. I don't know what was up with that but alls I know is that I never ever looked at my mom like "that". Some notable Shea Stadium encounters where I mixed it up a little with the famous, instead of merely seeing them, included Frank Robinson and Bob Feller, whom I sat next to and got to chat a bit about things. This list isn't even half full. I'm just running out of time. Maybe I'll continue this list at another time.

Edgy MD Dec 15 2017 06:55 PM Re: Brush with Fame

As I watched Nixon continue north on Broadway, I could see that he'd left a trial of staring statues, all shocked at seeing Nixon on Broadway. His secret service detail consisted of just one young and healthy looking in-his 30s protector. I think Millhouse dismissed his personal SS detail and then hired them back as personal bodyguards. He seemingly had a high sense of honor, but just kept it extremely compartmentalized. OE: Looks like he didn't do this until the mid eighties.

Fman99 Dec 15 2017 06:55 PM Re: Brush with Fame

d'Kong76 wrote: So, I've been thinking... Non-athletes: Kevin Burkhardt (talked to at charity event) Gary Cohen (talked to at charity event) Ron Darling (talked to at charity event, as broadcaster not stud pitcher) F X Healy (the broadcaster, not the 'catcher', Shea corridor) Chuck Scarboro (mid-town, he was going to a wedding in full make-up) Whoopi Goldberg (mid-town in her limo stuck in traffic and she had her window down shaking hands with people) Richard Thomas (Time Sq walking around.. the old KB couldn't remember his name story and hey said, "why yes, I'm him" or something like that) Mayor Koch (at Shea, bigger than life, hands even bigger) Gov Pataki (he's from my home town and was mayor) Gov Cuomo (the real one, not the current one) Steve Wynn (strolling around his casino, refused me free chips) Reminds me that I also met Gov. Pataki, when I was teaching and he came to the school I worked in to sign some education-related legislation. Also, while working at that same school, I met New York lotto number drawing Yolanda Vega, who was there on a work capacity. Nice lady.

Fman99 Dec 15 2017 06:59 PM Re: Brush with Fame

Man, I remembered another one. I got to meet and speak to famed distance runner Bill Rodgers, who won the Boston Marathon and NYC Marathon four times each in the late 70's and early 80's. I've met him a couple of times, as he hires himself out to various races in the northeast as an honorary race marshal. He also runs some of the shorter distances (I passed him this past summer at the Utica Boilermaker 15k).

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 15 2017 07:12 PM Re: Brush with Fame

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Saw Keith Hernandez a coupl'a times: at some East Hampton joint just off Montauk Highway. (On a separate occasion, I saw Sigourney Weaver at that same joint -- we clinked our coca-colas); saw Keith strolling down some street in Southhampton once ; and saw Keith once at the Gotham Bar & Grill, with who I presumed was his date. They walked to the back of the restaurant to meet whom I was assuming were his dates' parents. And while Keith had to walk past about 20 tables to get to his, this being NYC, no one said a word to him or so much as flinched to pay any attention. Saw Donald Trump more times than I can remember, mostly at Shea Stadium, where I usually sat no more than 30 or 40 feet away from him. His hair looked very freaky even in the 90s. Saw the Donald with some date (his, not mine) late night at some just past its trendy prime East Village eatery. They joined some half dozen or so patrons already seated, who based on looks, did not look like Trump's crowd. This was, if I remember correctly, during the Ivana/Marla interregnum. Trump's a tall guy. But not a nice guy. Other elevator encounters include a) Fred Wilpon at the Shea Diamond Club elevator about 20 years ago. He looked very patrician; b) JFK Jr., (just me and him). He didn't even bother to turn his body even the slightest to acknowledge my existence or presence. He also looked very patrician, now that I think of it. I couldn't help but notice how bulletproof his hair looked. Seriously. I think that if I'd shot a bullet into his head of hair, the bullet probably wouldn't have exited the other side. And speaking of Ivana, I rode the elevator with her in my old apartment building. I saw Budd Mishkin, then of NY1 in the lobby of that building, presumably waiting for a friend. Also saw James Gandolfini, James Caan and Raquel Welch in that lobby. And speaking of that building, Derek Jeter lived there for a couple of years. He parked his car right next to mine in the parking garage. So did Dick Cavett, (in that garage, but not next to mine) whom I chatted up. Cavett, not Jeter. Once, I saw a stretch limo pull up in front of my building. The doors opened up to reveal a contingent of Yankees, including Darryl Strawberry, leading the procession of Yankees who got out to get their teammate Jeter for what I assumed was gonna be a night out on the town. The Yankees must've played a Saturday afternoon game that day. I'd seen Jeter several times walking the neighborhood during his stay. There was a rumor that he was seeing Mariah Carey who supposedly had an apartment a block away. And though the rumors of Jeter and Carey turned out to be true, I never did see Mariah in the nabe. I did see Abe Vigoda stroll that nabe more times than I can remember. In slippers. Him in slippers, not me. He didn't walk so much as he shuffled, without hardly ever even picking up his feet. It looked like a reverse moonwalk. Reverse because Abe was going forward and in a moonwalk, you're supposed to go backwards. Another celeb that must've lived nearby because I'd seen him on the streets several times was the actor who played the jewish mobster Hesh on the Sopranos. I can't remember his name, but he also played the heavy in Woody Allen's Manhattan Murder Mystery, which coincidentally, was filmed in that nabe. I even saw one of the MMM "shoots". I guess the actor who played Hesh didn't have to travel far to work on that pic. I saw Richard Nixon just before his death on Lower Broadway in the Wall Street area. We were walking in opposite oncoming directions. I stopped dead in my tracks and did a double-take when I noticed it was him. Then I turned around and watched him as he continued to walk, farther and farther away from me. This scene would repeat itself every 20 or 30 feet as every pedestrian he'd pass did the same exact stop dead in the tracks and double-take that I did. As I watched Nixon continue north on Broadway, I could see that he'd left a trail of staring statues, all shocked at seeing Nixon on Broadway. His secret service detail consisted of just one young and healthy looking in-his 30s protector. I fist bumped with Muhammad Ali in the lobby of my old office building. He was there for a book signing, I think, at the adjacent Barnes & Nobles. A section of the office lobby had been cordoned off and made into some pre book signing staging area for Ali and his handlers. I was unaware of all of this. I was just returning from lunch when I stumbled into the whole thing unintentionally. Saw Joan Rivers crossing the street in the pouring rain with an acquaintance of hers who was disabled and might have been a polio sufferer, based on his gait and the metal crutches that were strapped to his upper arms. They tried to navigate the very tight space between my parked car (I was waiting for a friend) and the car parked directly in front of mine. When I realized what was happening, I signaled for them to wait, and then I backed up my car some to give them a wider path. Joan smiled at me in acknowledgement of my good deed, and stretched out her arms stiffly to clap her hands in recognition. I appreciated her gesture but couldn't help but notice that with her stiff-arm clap, she resembled a penguin. Saw Bryant Gumbel standing in a torrential downpour on Third Avenue, talking to an acquaintance. Must've been VIP stuff being discussed for Bryant to stand there in the rain. His raincoat was beautiful. Larry "Bud" Melman at a place that used to cut my hair for a few years in the 90s. Should I be proud of this, or ashamed? I don't know. Saw John Franco at Paneantico (mentioned in the sandwich thread). He made eye contact with me. This was very shortly after the Mets and Rickey Henderson had parted ways. I had a Rickey black Mets jersey that I happened to be wearing on that encounter. I assume it was the jersey that caught Franco's eye. Some other restaurant encounters: Vanna White at the Carnegie Deli. I sat right next to her. The Carnegie had these long tables that seated several parties. She was with a male guest and in the 45 minutes or so that I got to observe her, those two didn't say a single word to each other. They might not have even made eye contact with each other. Maybe it was because the food was so great. I've been to the Carnegie more than 50 times, maybe even closer to 100 times in my lifetime. It must've been a Knick hangout, being that it was on 7th Ave., like the Garden, and a straight-shot less than 10 minute drive to the deli at night, after a Knick game. I'd seen Derek Harper and Patrick Ewing there, while they were on the Knicks. And a retired Bernard King leaving his car double parked out in front while he went in to take his order out. Also saw Walt Frazier there. Also saw Walt a couple a times in the old nabe where Abe Vigoda and Jeets and Hesh also lived, including once on a 100 degree scorcher of a Summer day where he was wearing the shortest 70s style shorts I ever did see on a grown man taller than six feet.; Tim Burton at Petrossian; Don King several times at one of The Palm restaurants where he was a regular. And so was I. And Kathleen Turner a few times at that same Palm where she was also apparently a regular, but only like for a few months or so, as far as I understood; Saw Joe DiMaggio in a restaurant with my parents when I was a teen-ager and I swear that Joe couldn't take his eyes off my mom. I was the only one who noticed this and everytime I turned around to look at Joe, there he was staring my mom up and down. I don't know what was up with that but alls I know is that I never ever looked at my mom like "that". Some notable Shea Stadium encounters where I mixed it up a little with the famous, instead of merely seeing them, included Frank Robinson and Bob Feller, whom I sat next to and got to chat a bit about things. This list isn't even half full. I'm just running out of time. Maybe I'll continue this list at another time. Mods: Please don't ban this fellow. Mags: Please don't get banned.

Lefty Specialist Dec 15 2017 07:15 PM Re: Brush with Fame

A long time ago on a New York street corner, I found myself next to a tall bald man in a tailored navy suit, I recognized him and started to say, "Are you......?" He turns and glares at me, clearly annoyed. In a thick accent he fairly spits out the words "Yess, yess, I'm Otto Preminger." By now the light has changed and he stalks away across the street, melting into the crowd. Mr. Freeze indeed.

Frayed Knot Dec 15 2017 07:16 PM Re: Brush with Fame

For chance encounters: - Tony Roberts sat in a box next to me in the 1988 NLCS. He sounded like a WFAN caller. Tony Roberts is also on my Shea chance encounter list; rode the up escalator next to him - probably mid-90s. He was gabbering away with someone (not Woody) while right behind him my friend is trying to discreetly say to me that Tony Roberts is right in front of us which I didn't hear the first three times he said it with increasing volume but I finally did and by that time so, probably, did Tony. Ron Swoboda is my other Shea celeb. It was the post-9/11 game and I'm thinking as he walked up the aisle my way that this dude must get told that he looks like Ron Swoboda a lot, and in Shea Stadium especially. By the time he got a bit closer and eventually turned and plopped down in the seat next to me, I realized it was Ron Swoboda! Nice guy, chatted occasionally, only one or two autograph requests (none from me). Mainly I think we made each other feel old: me by listening to him talk to his grandkids on the phone a couple of times, and him by listening to the guy with gray hairs creeping into his beard at that point (they've totally taken over the neighborhood now) telling him I was a kid in the stands for his famous WS catch. oe: had a seat a few dozen feet from Richard Nixon's one game (w/a grand kid or two - early '80s?). No close encounters though.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Dec 15 2017 07:38 PM Re: Brush with Fame

A Boy Named Seo wrote: What joke did you tell to Hamm? What's the difference between a used tire and 365 used condoms? One's a GoodYear. The other's a GREAT year. There were a couple more, mostly short and mostly terrible. My best might have been a raucous 7 train ride following a Mets game back in 99 when it seemed to me like fans were all crazy for the team and they hadn't broke me yet. I forget some of the details but on the train with us was the celebrity I recognized and announced to the train as "The guy from MTV who couldn't get laid!" I had the same Darryl Strawberry poster he's rocking during the interview segments (see 1:56 of the video). [youtube]NmN4-V8xPFI[/youtube] That is great. Used to run into a bunch of those weird MTV "documentary" celebs semi-regularly during college; my friend Kristin dated a guy from "Road Rules" for a while, and seemingly half his friends were reality-TV connections. Almost forgot-- I knew John Legend in college. We had a bunch of English classes together, and a couple of my best friends were in the same a cappella group; we used to hang out at the same artsy parties.

Edgy MD Dec 15 2017 07:40 PM Re: Brush with Fame

Only big shot who ever rendered me starstruck? James Brown.

batmagadanleadoff Dec 15 2017 07:59 PM Re: Brush with Fame

metirish wrote: Lars and Kirk form Metallica at American Trash on the UES many years ago.... Passed by this place many, many times in its day. Never went in there. I think I was scared shitless out of this place. It looked like a Hells Angels hangout from the outside. One more encounter --- Saw Bill Maher at some trendy bar on East 72nd Street on the corner of either 1st or York Ave. about 20 years ago. The bouncers wouldn't let him as he continued to give them that celebrity "Don't you know who I am?" whine, to no avail.

Ashie62 Dec 15 2017 08:01 PM Re: Brush with Fame

Shared a bar stoll with David Cone for a few hours. Super Guy. Said Gibson over Seaver for one game, Seaver for the long haul. He disliked broadcasting cause had to criticize friends. Very big hands.

d'Kong76 Dec 15 2017 08:05 PM Re: Brush with Fame

Lefty Specialist wrote: A long time ago on a New York street corner, I found myself next to a tall bald man in a tailored navy suit, I recognized him and started to say, "Are you......?" He turns and glares at me, clearly annoyed. In a thick accent he fairly spits out the words "Yess, yess, I'm Otto Preminger." By now the light has changed and he stalks away across the street, melting into the crowd. Mr. Freeze indeed. I like this one!

batmagadanleadoff Dec 15 2017 08:07 PM Re: Brush with Fame

Ashie62 wrote: Shared a bar stoll with David Cone for a few hours. Super Guy. Said Gibson over Seaver for one game, Seaver for the long haul. He disliked broadcasting cause had to criticize friends. Very big hands. Saw David Cone at The Palm once. What I mostly remember is how much bigger he looked in real life. Actually, he looked huge, but this didn't appear to be so when I'd see him on TV.

smg58 Dec 15 2017 08:22 PM Re: Brush with Fame

When I lived in Manhattan, I was in an apartment share with a cousin of Bill Buckner (I chose not to put up a framed picture of a certain play) and the brother of Kate Walsh. The Walsh family converged on New York the Christmas right before Kate got her gig on Grey's Anatomy, and Kate stayed in the apartment and took over my bedroom when I went back to my parents' house. So when I tell people I shared my bed with a TV actress, I'm not exactly kidding.

Ashie62 Dec 15 2017 11:00 PM Re: Brush with Fame

Was drinking with Steelers/Jets Neil O'Donnel, his gf, and Bears Dave Waddle. Neil stepped away with gf and proposed. She said yes. He is said to be a notoriously poor tipper.

Frayed Knot Dec 16 2017 08:35 PM Re: Brush with Fame

Anastasia Romanov Or at least the loony-tunes who claimed to be her.

RealityChuck Dec 17 2017 12:15 AM Re: Brush with Fame

I went to college with Phil Alden Robinson, director of Field of Dreams. We worked at the radio station together.

MFS62 Dec 17 2017 01:02 AM Re: Brush with Fame

OK, here we go:(Rough chronological order, mixing politics and show biz) Senator Jacob Javits, he was my local Congressman and my dad (may he rest in Peace) introduced me to him across from our apartment building. NY Governor Averil Harriman, spoke briefly with him when he came to my Junior High school. NY Governor Nelson Rockerfeller, in front of the NY State Pavilion at the Worlds's Fair. I was working while going to college, and asked him if he would, as rumored, start to charge tuition at the New York City Colleges. He told me that would never happen while he was Governor. He kept his word. All-Pro footballers Andy Robustelli and Sam Huff, coming out of the apartment next to mine. (My next door neighbor was Lee Grosscup, who quarterbacked both NY Pro teams. He was the last person to do that until this year.) Because I rooted for the Titans, I just said "hi" and didn't act like one of their fawning fans. Actress Angela Landsbury, she was in a Grisdedes Super Market in Manhattan near the Gugenheim Museum. She was squeezing the tomatoes to see which ones to buy. Said Hello, chatted briefly. Ex- Vice President Spiro Agnew, he was getting out of his limo in front of Saks Fifth Avenue. I just nodded. Ex- President Richard Nixon, he was with his granddaughters outside Radio City Music Hall. I just said "Hello, Mr. President." He smiled and nodded. Comedian Jackie Mason, He was coming out of Barnes and Noble on Fifth Avenue. I put on my best imitation staccato Jackie Mason voice and asked, "You should want me talk like Jackie Mason?" He stopped, looked at me, smiled, and said, "Not bad, kid". (No, he didn't have a finger for me.) Singer Ric Ocasik (as mentioned in another post) Entrepreneur Ted Turner, walking to the men's room in the theater where we were seeing a Broadway play. He was with his wife at the time, Kane Fonda. They were in the row ahead of us, a few seats to the side. My wife and I didn't have a chance to talk to them, but Ted and I chatted during the walk to, and from, the rest room. I think it was about the Braves. Ex-Mayor Ed Koch, I met and spoke with him several times because I worked in the same building as his law office. We first met when I was still smoking cigarettes. He got out of his limo, saw us smoking near the public ashtray, shook his head and gave a tsk tsk sound. I walked up to him and said, "Mr Mayor, I've met and spoken with many politicians and shaken some of their hands. Can I shake yours?" He said,"Of course" then shook my hand and asked what for anyone who followed him, was the most appropriate Ed Koch question you could imagine, "How was mine compared to theirs?" I said "Mr. Mayor, you're the best". That was the first of many conversations. We talked history and politics. I think that's about it. If I think of any others, I'll add them. Later

Edgy MD Dec 17 2017 03:37 AM Re: Brush with Fame

At a Fishbone show at the Paladium (E=MC2), my friend Martin went to piss in Urinal One, while I take Urinal Three. Because we're young single dudes and we keep our distance from each other's junk. But a guy goes to pee in between us. My friend somehow silently gets my attention without the guy seeming to notice. We both lean back to have an exchange behind the new guy's back, seemingly minding his own urinary business. Martin begins miming and mouthing words at me." "He's (he points at the guy) Jam-Master Jay (he mimes scratching a record on a turntable)!" "Really? (I shrug) How do you know? (I scrunch up my face, mimicking doubt) Whatever. (¯\_(ツ)_/¯)" "He's got the chain. (He cups his hand around his breast)." I try to give the guy as subtle a once-over as I can. The newcomer seems to be in classic 80s b-boy garb, updated for the 90s, but I don't know. I don't want to be obvious about checking out his chain, where Run-DMC members each used to wear (still do, for all I know) trademark Adidas sneaker rendered in gold, which Martin was seemingly referring to. So I did something a little dumber. I looked down at his shoes, which I quickly recognized as tell-tale loosely laced classic Adidas. I realized that this was a good indicator, just a moment before I realized I must seem like I'm looking at his cock. I embarrassedly return to my own business, pretending to be still pumping my bladder for more pee, as Martin and Jay head to the sink. I'm shy and I just peeked where I shouldn't have peeked. But after washing up, Martin breaks the ice. "Hey, Jam Master!" "Yeah ..." "Gimme twos," and he offers his index and middle fingers face-up for tapping in greeting. Amazingly, Jay obliges, so Martin only gets more emboldened, and flips his fingers face down. "Gimme twos." Again, Jay exchanges the tap, Martin continues, "Gimme elbows," and they tap right elbows. Finally, Martin says, "Gimme shoes," and they tap with the outstep of their shoes. Jay smiles and Martin says, kinda loudly even, "Remember you got that from me — twos, twos, elbows, shoes." Jay laughs and leaves the restroom, I turn to him and ask, "When did you come up with that?" "Just now," he says. He's in that zone where he's just drunk enough to be convincingly cool but not so drunk that he's a threat to lose his cool. "That shit's gonna be all over Yo! MTV Raps! in two weeks," I say. "And you're the whitest motherfucker I know." "YOU'RE the whitest motherfucker you know," he replies. "I just proved it." And then we went and saw some Fishbone.

Rockin' Doc Dec 18 2017 02:19 AM Re: Brush with Fame

While attending optometry school in Chicago, I and a few of my classmates worked at an old fashioned full service gas station. One winter evening, a well dressed, young guy driving a beautiful, new sports car with Minnesota plates pulled into get a fill up. He got out of his car and chatted with me as I cleaned his windshield and pumped his gas. It wasn't until he handed me his credit card to pay for his gas, that I realized he was Tommy Kramer, the starting quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings at the time. Jim Clack, who won 2 Super Bowl rings (1974 & 1975) as the center on the Pittsburgh Steelers, returned home to Rocky Mount following his NFL career. He at one time ran a nice restaurant where my wife and I often dined. He was a local guy that made good, but didn't forget where he came from. Seemed like a nice guy. Even though he was 6'3' and 250 pounds during his playing days, he didn't seem as big as I would have expected a NFL lineman to have been (though he was a few years removed from his career and had likely lost some weight when I knew him). I met Karl "The Mailman" Malone at a charity fundraiser in the early 90's, during the peak of his stellar NBA career with the Utah Jazz. That was one large man. Not only was he tall (6'9") but he was 250 pounds of chiseled muscle. He was bigger and more imposing a presence than I expected. When we shook hands, mine was completely engulfed by his massive hand. I felt like a little kid standing beside him, but he was quite gracious and friendly. My wife met Walter Payton numerous times during our first year in Chicago while working in a gun shop in Lincolnwood, Illinois. She said he was a wonderful, friendly, down to earth man.

Chad Ochoseis Dec 19 2017 04:38 AM Re: Brush with Fame

I waited tables at Bucknell's big-shot cafeteria (that wasn't the official name) when I was in college. When Phyllis Schlafly and Eleanor Smeal (director of NOW in the 80s) were doing their campus debate tour, I waited on both of them. Hate to say it, but Schlafly was by far the more gracious of the two. Also waited on George Young, who was a Bucknell alum and did an excellent job for a while as the Giants' GM. I was having lunch with my parents at a restaurant in Phoenix about 20 years ago and Bill Bidwill (owner of the football Cardinals) was sitting at the table behind us. My father walked over to Bidwill to talk football while I made my "Jeezus, Dad, let the man eat in peace" face. Bidwill was classy about it. About twelve years ago, I went on a couple of dates with someone who had her own public relations business. I took her to a party at someone's summer home up in the Catskills, and she told me that Joan Osborne might show up, and I was under strict instructions to play it cool (I'm a big fan). Joan did indeed show up, along with her ten month old baby. And we sat on the front porch and shot the shit for about half an hour, just Joan and Nancy and me, while all the time I pretended I had absolutely no clue who she was. I vaguely remember that she was complaining about the high cost of Catskills real estate, and how she was looking for a summer house, but would probably have to look in Sullivan County because she couldn't afford any of the pricier areas. And I had to restrain myself from asking how in the hell someone who had released a huge hit album - even just one - couldn't come up with 300K for a nice house up around Ellenville. There's less money in indie rock than you'd think.

Nymr83 Dec 19 2017 05:45 AM Re: Brush with Fame

Chad Ochoseis wrote: There's less money in indie rock than you'd think. Maybe her songs were all getting Pirated by CPF members.

Ashie62 Dec 22 2017 08:48 AM Re: Brush with Fame

Have seen by venue: Showplace Dover NJ. The Damned, Plasmatics, David Jo band, Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, Bad Brains, Pet Clams, Nina Hagen, Rockats, Fripp League of Gentlemen, Tom Robinsons Sector 21 RU: Garland Jeffreys & The Rumor, Graham P & Rumor, Pretenders, Gang of Four, Patti Smith, King Crimson, Kinks, Talking Heads, Meatloaf, Outlaws, Charlie Daniels, Chuck Leavell, Clash, Elvis Costello (1st US tour second show) Paul Simon, Mellisa Manchester, Blues Brothers with both Belushi & Ackroyd. Nick Lowe & Rockpile, Van Morrison, J Geils, Roger McGuin, Clark & Hillman, McGuin teaching guitar 201, Mitch Ryder, Southside Johnny, Capitol Theatre Passaic NJ: Clash, Patti Smith, Todd Rundgren, Dire Straits, Elvis Costello, Keith Richards & X-Pensive Winos NYC: Smithereens, Johnny Thunders, Lou Reed, Stiff Little Fingers, John Cale, Pretenders, Billy Idol, Psychedelic Furs, Wille Nile, Crenshaw MSG: Jethro Tull, Who Comeback Tour 81, Pink Floyd Animals, Kinks, Bryan Adams JFK: Stones 78 & 81, Journey, Clash, The Who 81, Santana, Journey, G Thorogood sic, Hooters, A's, Morristown 77: AC/DC, Cheap Trick, Cars, Kim Symonds/Mayall, Uncle Floyd/Vinnie Floyd (he did about 7 years with McCartney) Ray Davies Storytellers, Ashie: With Thunders filling in for Walter Lure, with Pat Dinizio, Wille Nile, Knopfler, GE Smith , Fronted "The Gangbusters" with John Zarra Rockabilly on weekends NJ, Worked soundboard for Rush at Capitol Theater (Canadien Promo for my employer Long & McQuade) Many more some vaguely remebered...

41Forever Dec 22 2017 02:04 PM Re: Brush with Fame

Edgy's urinal encounter reminded me of an event we had in Detroit that involved some federal leaders. I slipped into the men's room before we got started and was taking care of business. A guy started using the next urinal, and then I noticed two large guys in suits to my right, Secret Service agents. Then I looked to the guy to my left, and realized it was Attorney General Holder, who is much taller than I thought. Seemed like an awkward time to have a conversation, so I finished, washed and got out of there.

MFS62 Dec 22 2017 02:16 PM Re: Brush with Fame

Two more: Actor Max Von Sydow - I met him at a private screening of his film Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. We talked about whether he prefers to act in serious or comedy roles. Actor Rhonda Flemming - I was working for a company that produced beauty products and we discussed one of the products we may have wanted her to endorse. Later

Edgy MD Dec 22 2017 05:58 PM Re: Brush with Fame

Old brushes with greatness: http://archives.thecranepool.net/12600/f2_t12661.shtml

Ashie62 Dec 22 2017 08:30 PM Re: Brush with Fame

It is routine to check new financial offices by the Secret Service to check for counterfitting and such. Agent walks in and looks around and says he will be back. We sublet one office to the old Cheyenne Software. We tell "Curt" of Cheyenne to be silent when agent returns. Agent returns, Curt comes out and says "Howdy, who killed Kennedy." Thankfully we still passed the audition.

MFS62 Dec 22 2017 11:37 PM Re: Brush with Fame

Ashie62 wrote: It is routine to check new financial offices by the Secret Service to check for counterfitting and such. Agent walks in and looks around and says he will be back. We sublet one office to the old Cheyenne Software. We tell "Curt" of Cheyenne to be silent when agent returns. Agent returns, Curt comes out and says "Howdy, who killed Kennedy." Thankfully we still passed the audition. (Violating rule again) Who was famous? Oh, and Gordie Howe. He and his wife were at a business breakfast at the company for which I worked and he was the spokes person. Had a long discussion about his life and family during and after his playing career. He was very proud of his sons, who had followed him into the NHL. Later

Mets Willets Point Dec 23 2017 01:37 AM Re: Brush with Fame

One day in the early 2000s, I was riding the subway and a man got on at the MIT stop and started talking with the woman sitting next to me about his health and how he was going to check-in with his doctor. He got off at the stop for Massachusetts General Hospital and I didn't think much of it but the woman said "That is one of the most famous people in the world!" It turns out she was exaggerating a bit but it was Stephen Jay Gould, just a few months before he died of cancer. My old church was also the same church that John Kerry and Teresa Heinz went to when they were home in Boston, so I saw them at Mass. Once I exchanged peace with Kerry. The same church also gives an annual award for social justice which one year went to Martin Sheen. He was very friendly and particularly charmed by my son who was 6 months old at the time. He even took at his handkerchief and wiped a "boogie" (as he called it) off my son's nose. Last year, I was walking through Harvard Square and navigating around metal cases and poles (later figuring out that a film crew was breaking down their equipment) and nearly bumped into Ben Stiller who was making a call on his phone.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 23 2017 12:37 PM Re: Brush with Fame

I used to see Joe Biden at the gym all the time. This was post presidential aspirations and pre-Obama. Other street walk-bys: Alex Trebek, Richard Kind (separately but both I believe on 52nd street). Alex was visiting the theater and I'm sure Richard was working there, he was singing to himself. I also saw Alec Baldwin by the Whole Foods on the Lower East. I'm forgetting many others Longtime QB and TV football analyst Rich Gannon and I had a few classes together as we were both English majors. He called me once to ask for help with a test. He actually called my roommate but he wasn't home.

Lefty Specialist Dec 26 2017 12:23 AM Re: Brush with Fame

Have to confess I met Alex Trebek myself, having been a contestant on Jeopardy. Seems like a nice enough guy.

MFS62 Dec 26 2017 04:21 AM Re: Brush with Fame

Lefty Specialist wrote: Have to confess I met Alex Trebek myself, having been a contestant on Jeopardy. Seems like a nice enough guy. Most of the other folks have written about people they have met, not paid to see. (the intent of the thread). But in this case the person you met may have paid you. Later

Lefty Specialist Dec 26 2017 03:05 PM Re: Brush with Fame

Sadly, no. But it was quite the experience. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvUZijEuNDQ

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 26 2017 03:38 PM Re: Brush with Fame

Lefty you must know the CPF's own Seawolf is also a Jeopardy loser. You guys should get together and fuck up Trebek some time.

Lefty Specialist Dec 26 2017 03:51 PM Re: Brush with Fame

The guy I want to mess with is the guy who won (and went on to become a 5-time champion). He was an arrogant prick. Alex was quite jovial. Seawolf, if you haven't seen this, you can re-live your agony here: http://www.j-archive.com/ Just search by the season. Mine is http://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=2035

seawolf17 Dec 26 2017 03:57 PM Re: Brush with Fame

I keep meaning to put my brushes in here. On the J! front, yes, I'm a big fan of the Archive, even though it makes me look even worse than I remember: http://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=3237 The guy I lost to was a five-timer as well, but was a superstar and we're still friends.

Frayed Knot Dec 27 2017 01:07 AM Re: Brush with Fame

I once saw Alex Trebek play hockey in MSG