An unexpected meeting

[Tyr66]

Imagine: you are in a shop, a train station, an airport and suddenly one of your legends is here, just in front of you ! Choose from Tony Iommi, Ritchie Blackmore, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, Glenn Hughes, Michael Schenker, Rob Halford, Angus Young, King Diamond, Cronos, Tom G. Warrior, Leif Edling, Tom Araya, Dave Lombardo and Dave Mustaine. etc ... anyone else important for you . Ok, we will accept Doro for Charger

At this so unique moment, what are you doing ?
You approach him (her)  right away? autograph ? a selfie? you leave him alone because you are like me, petrified?

[Zzzptm]

This happens to me, more than once. I go with a smile and a nod. It says, "I recognize you, but I'll leave you to whatever you're doing."

If someone pulls me over to introduce me personally or it's after a performance, then it's different.

Jimmy Page would be the exception. I actually got to interview him back in the late 80s, so it would be nice to be able to walk up to him and thank him for making the time to talk with me, even though a phone problem made me miss the interview window. The guy is a real gentleman.

[Jack the Stripper]

I think if an oppurtunity presented itself you'd have to take it. Suss the situation and surroundings first and pick your moment to approach and maybe just a polite hello and let them know how much you've admired them and their work over the years without being too gushing or overbearing, from there you'd just suss the vibe you're getting from the person as to whether you could take the coversation further. If alls gone well eventually ask for an autograph or selfie and be on your way. I'd never approach them if they were eating at a restaurant or out with their kids or something like that though.

I've met James, Lars, Kirk, Robert, Ozzy, Dave Mustaine, Dave Lombardo all the guys from Accept x2, Nikki Sixx, Blackie Lawless, Marty Friedman and Brent Hinds from Mastodon and thankfully all were positive experiences, particularly Lars Ulrich and Dave Lombardo. Was quite overwhelmed at just how cool Lars and Dave actually were, both seemed very appreciative and genuinely interested in me and what I had to say. 

[Charger]

Pretty interesting and important topic.

Even celebrities have a right to private life. And if they are doing their shopping or what ever like that they are doing it as a private person...they are not at work...It's the same thing if someone I don't know would come to me in a store or on the street and just started talking to me for no reason or tries to sell me something...not only is it annoying but rude as hell.

I wouldn't want to treat my idols any different than I want myself to be treated.

I think Bill Shatner has written a lot of good things about this subject. Most recently in this BRILLIANT blog entry that I think everyone who thinks that it would be "cool" to go up to a celebrity no matter where to as for a pic or a signature should read with serious thought.
https://medium.com/@WilliamShatner/to-sign-or-not-to-sign-the-veruca-salt-syndrome-b47d21561505


One needs to remember they are people just like you and me...and they have the exact same right to privacy as you and me.

So no. I would NEVER approach a person like that. It's one thing when they are at a show or a signing...then they are at work and that is what they do...then they are there to sign stuff and pose for pictures or what not. But when they are just minding their own business at "off hours" then that's what fans should do as well...just mind their own business.

[Zzzptm]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVajLREARbg

Always loved the bit where Jerry heckles someone where *they* work!

[Thelemech]

I have met Gene Simmons, Ian Anderson( for all of ten seconds) and George Thorogood. Had a chance to meet Burton Cummings as we were in  the same comic book store at the same time but I didn't even recognize him, until after when one of the employees told me who it was as he was leaving.

Gene was the nicest guy and believe it or not but his ego was quite subdued. Ian was basically just a hello - I love your music!
And George Thorogood played in a show in my small hometown and a friend`s father was working the gig and got us in. He was obviously drunk when I met him but George put on a professional show that night and brought the house down.

[Zzzptm]

What I like best is if I'm at a conference and one of the Greats in attendance there walks up to me to discuss a comment I've made or work I've done in the field. Not that these guys are as famous as the rock stars, above, but they're still busy guys with busy schedules. If they make time to chat with me, I want to make sure I respect the time by spending it on the discussion they want and not fawning over how awesome they are for stuff they've done. I'll be sure to thank them very politely for chatting with me, but I feel time is best spent in going forward, not looking backward.

[Tyr66]

Pretty interesting and important topic.

Even celebrities have a right to private life. And if they are doing their shopping or what ever like that they are doing it as a private person...they are not at work...It's the same thing if someone I don't know would come to me in a store or on the street and just started talking to me for no reason or tries to sell me something...not only is it annoying but rude as hell.

I wouldn't want to treat my idols any different than I want myself to be treated.

I think Bill Shatner has written a lot of good things about this subject. Most recently in this BRILLIANT blog entry that I think everyone who thinks that it would be "cool" to go up to a celebrity no matter where to as for a pic or a signature should read with serious thought.
https://medium.com/@WilliamShatner/to-sign-or-not-to-sign-the-veruca-salt-syndrome-b47d21561505


One needs to remember they are people just like you and me...and they have the exact same right to privacy as you and me.

So no. I would NEVER approach a person like that. It's one thing when they are at a show or a signing...then they are at work and that is what they do...then they are there to sign stuff and pose for pictures or what not. But when they are just minding their own business at "off hours" then that's what fans should do as well...just mind their own business.

exactly my feeling. But the dilemma is great because we know very well that it's only once in your life. As Jack says, you have to do something but to a certain extent, so that this moment will forever burn your memory.
But, we only have a few seconds to choose.

In 2015, Triptykon, a band that I love, was playing at the Motocultor festival that took place less than 30 minutes by car from my home. I had the information that some bands like the Tom Warrior's combo was installed in a hotel within 10 minutes walk from my house.
I thought about taking some of my old vinyls and trying to approach him for signatures, then I wondered if it was no more like a ridiculous fanboy attitude. We're talking about Tom G. Warrior not an R/B teen pseudostar .
finally, I didn't do anything but I regret it. Now, I prefer remorse to regret because we only have one life.
It's crazy what old age brings such good things like wisdom !

[Typhon]

Here's an idea, if this happens when you are with a toddler.  Shove the toddler in the general direction of the Star.  Then run over and say, "Sorry Mr. Star, I guess the little guy knows what an incredible musician you are."  Then take it from there.  No Star is going to get angry at the toddler.

Next time I run into Ozzy, I'm going to try and borrow someone's toddler.

[Zzzptm]

Here's an idea, if this happens when you are with a toddler.  Shove the toddler in the general direction of the Star.  Then run over and say, "Sorry Mr. Star, I guess the little guy knows what an incredible musician you are."  Then take it from there.  No Star is going to get angry at the toddler.

Next time I run into Ozzy, I'm going to try and borrow someone's toddler.

I'm not a real lawyer, though I play one on the Internet... even so, I would advise against "borrowing someone's toddler." I did a quick Google search and that seems to be an activity frowned upon in most jurisdictions. I'll do some more research on the matter, if you'd like me to follow up on that.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

^^^ Not a problem, just go up to the mother of the child and say "May I borrow your child? I've just seen Gary Glitter and I need to attract his attention."

[Zzzptm]

^^^ Not a problem, just go up to the mother of the child and say "May I borrow your child? I've just seen Gary Glitter and I need to attract his attention."

Again, I'm not a real lawyer, but...

[BOGBLAST]

I would never approach anyone eating, talking in a group or was already being swarmed by fans. If it were a chance encounter I would definitely confront and say something like "Hey Starman, big fan, listened for years." If he wants to take it further, great. If not, I'd take his thank you and move on.

[Vyn]

While in the general area of the Star, I'd do something subtle to attract their attention. You know, so they are kind of approaching me rather than me approaching them.

I'm thinking I'd pull down my drawers and start yelling, "MY THIRD NUT IS TRYING TO ESCAPE!!". Once the Star looks over, maybe taking a few steps in my direction, I'd pull up my pants and introduce myself. After expressing my admiration for their work, I'd run away as fast as possible before the police arrived.

[Zzzptm]

While in the general area of the Star, I'd do something subtle to attract their attention. You know, so they are kind of approaching me rather than me approaching them.

I'm thinking I'd pull down my drawers and start yelling, "MY THIRD NUT IS TRYING TO ESCAPE!!". Once the Star looks over, maybe taking a few steps in my direction, I'd pull up my pants and introduce myself. After expressing my admiration for their work, I'd run away as fast as possible before the police arrived.

May be a helluva foot race if the guy's got a plainclothes security detail.