Celebrity Customers

[NorthernZel]

I once volunteered to set up the backstage room for Queen Latifah at one of her concerts (this was before she took up acting). Very nice lady. Also, I got told later by the stage manager, that her "rider" (instructions from her manager regarding stage equipment, food, water on stage, other stuff etc.) demanded that she on that certain day should have KFC food. Problem was, there were no KFC stores in our city back then... (At that time, McD and BK were the only known US franchises. To this day, we have only one (ONE! ) Starbucks in the Copenhagen area, although 7-11 have started selling some of their coffee blends.)

So stage manager offered Latifah + her entourage to take them to the local diner instead, and she was THRILLED about the idea.

[Geek King]

I Also, I got told later by the stage manager, that her "rider" (instructions from her manager regarding stage equipment, food, water on stage, other stuff etc.) demanded that she on that certain day should have KFC food.

Just a note, but often those kind of riders are there to make sure all the fiddly bits of the contracts are being read--things like power requirements, plug availability, and other stage requirements. The fact your manager was worried about it showed her that someone had paid attention.

[Chromatix]

I think there was one band who put down for a big bowl of M&Ms, with a certain colour removed, in the dressing room when they arrived. If that wasn't there, they wouldn't even unpack but turn around and leave.

I think it was indeed just an acid test to check that the contract was being read thoroughly - if they couldn't take care of M&Ms, what else was wrong?

[Mikkel]

I think it was indeed just an acid test to check that the contract was being read thoroughly - if they couldn't take care of M&Ms, what else was wrong?

Van Halen.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

We had planned for a little Boot Hill one night, and a friend was running. He jokingly stated that the M&M's should be all green. Otherwise, we all die. '

I actually made a bowl of green ones, with a red one hidden in the bottom. He didn't know if he should laugh or have me committed.

[octopi23]

I once saw Bill Murray at the park.

[RobertM]

I have met the Queen, Prince Phillip and Prince Edward, all really nice people especially Edward when he visited the heritage railway I am a station master at.

[Cazzi]

That reminds me, I walked past Prince Andrew and his entourage when they were visiting my local hospital. Had to negotiate through a mob of security to get out of there which wasn't fun as I was with my daughter who suffers anxiety attacks when she's confronted by crowds & the unexpected.

Still, she can at least say she's seen some royalty

[Pagan]

Van Halen.

You'd think I'd remember the M&M riot....

I have met the Queen, Prince Phillip and Prince Edward, all really nice people especially Edward when he visited the heritage railway I am a station master at.

I totally forgot! Last July, I was close enough to Prince Charles that I could have Gibbs-smacked him if I wanted.

And I'd love to get near Prince Harry....

[Peppergirl]

Many years ago, I met one of the more popular male stars of the old show 'WKRP in Cincinnati'.

More than 'met', actually...which is why I won't say which one.

[telecom_goddess]

Many years ago, I met one of the more popular male stars of the old show 'WKRP in Cincinnati'.

More than 'met', actually...which is why I won't say which one.

say what?? Oh now I'm intrigued. Back in the day I would have "met" Johnny Fever in a heartbeat lol.

[Peppergirl]

say what?? Oh now I'm intrigued. Back in the day I would have "met" Johnny Fever in a heartbeat lol.

PM me if you wanna know. I don't wanna sound like a hussy.

[Bella_Vixen]

Gilbert Brown used to come into the gas station I used to work at. I didn't know who he was til L asked if I thought she should ask for an autograph.

Members of my favorite cover band came into various gas stations.

A news anchor comes into my grocery store to buy ice cream every couple of weeks. I have no idea who he is, but he's awfully nice.

A couple weeks ago at least one former Packers player came in to the store. Gotta love Hall of Fame induction weekend, I guess.

[RetailSlave]

Met several wrestlers from the WWE.. Ohio Valley Wrestling was just across the river and it was a big feeder organization/training facility for WWE. Many of the wrestlers would come across the river to eat and shop.
Customers...several of the local news anchors and weather people. One of the local weather guys lives just down the street from our store, so he and his wife shop in there all the time. One afternoon he and his wife were in the store and she went up to the service desk to pay a bill while he kinda semi-hid near the greeter/UScan area. I walked past and said, "It's okay John...I won't ask about the weather!" and he broke up laughing. Both very nice people, and she always goes out of her way to come up and speak to those of us that she knows.
Just last week one of the morning anchors stopped by on his way to work and bought a card, orchid and Cheesecake Factory gift card, and borrowed my pen to sign the card. He commented that he probably should have done it the day before.

Met Shelley Berman (the 60s comedian) when he did a production of Don't Drink the Water at a local theater. Very nice.
Met Gary Burghoff (Radar for M*A*S*H) when he was doing a theatrical production at our university. I was in choir and we had finished and were waiting for one of our friends to use the restroom. Gary came down the stairs where we were standing, commented about what a long walk it was to get to the dressing rooms (which it was...it was down the stairs and down a long hall) and he had a quick change. My friend exited the bathroom just as Gary disappeared into the dressing room. We pointed down the hall and it said, "Damn..I missed Radar! Stupid bladder!" There was a child sitting at one of the tables in an intersecting hall doing homework while waiting for his sibling to finish a piano lesson. They said that Gary saw the child sitting there and went out of his way to go over and spend a few minutes talking to them and signing an autograph, even though he could have easily stayed in his dressing room relaxing til his next entrance.

Met the members of Rockapella several times. The first time we went to their concert at our university and we had put our coats and my purse in my locker. We didn't know that they did a meet and greet so we were ready to leave. My husband had to use the restroom so I walked down to the water fountain by the dressing rooms to get a drink. The door opened and there was Scott Leonard..I said hi to him and struck up a conversation. He grew up about 30 miles from me so we talked about that and I mentioned that I was a music major..he asked about what my concentration was and we talked about 20 minutes. He had the other members of the group come out to talk too and signed autgraphs for us...they almost gave me Eliot's pen lol Before the concert Scott's mom and other Rockapella family members were eating at the Frischs Big Boy just down from campus. We saw the big group but didn't know who they were. Another table had made a Rockapella sign with the placemat and crayons that were on the table, and Scott's mom noticed and came over and introduced herself. We saw them again a couple of years later and at that venue they were rushing people thru the meet and greet. Scott was at the last chair and he remembered me and pulled me to the side of the table to talk while greeting other fans. Then two years ago the group was at our campus again and we were in the front row. After the concert we stayed for the meet and greet, and after the casual greetings were over they stayed and talked for a long time. Scott was the last to leave and he talked one on one with me and my hysband for about 30 minutes and gave me a hug before we left. I got my picture taken with them and Jeff (the vocal percussionist) was curious about my camera and wanted to check and make sure we got a good picture. Super super nice guys..really care about their fans.
Met Peter Noone (Herman from Herman's Hermits)..asked for a hug and he said, "I don't do hugs" but decided to relent for an older woman who came thru line after me. Nice other than that...I can understand not wanting to hug strangers but to turn down one person and a couple of people further down give a hug.
Ivan Parker (christian singer appears with Bill Gaither). He did an annual concert in a town near here for years and my friend's trio opened for him several times. Really took the time to talk with the people who came to see him. One year a lady in the audience was celebrating her 100th b irthday and he walked all the way to the back to hug her and give her a tshirt.

[blas]

Not really a celebrity, but the owner of a very large home improvements store that rhymes with Tenards actually lives here and is on the city council. Biggest fucking prick alive.

Treats his workers in all of his stores and distribution centers like dogs and robots, dumped chemicals into the river and didn't even care, just paid the huge fine and didn't apologize, has threatened that if we EVER consider getting a Lowes or a Home Depot around here, he will immediately pack up and get his entire empire out of Wisconsin (boo hoo, please do). It in was in the papers and the news that he threw an epic temper tantrum over the airport demanding he pay to leave his private jet just sit at the airport here (oh God forbid you have to pay to leave that thing there without moving for weeks on end!).

Harley Davidson may leave Wisconsin soon. I say, get rid of this guy and his empire instead. Oh, and their lumber is crap, too.