OT: I met Art Garfunkel tonight.

Darren

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Jan 22, 2000, 3:00:00 AM1/22/00

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Hello, :)

I just got back from a concert at the Macomb Center for the Performing
Arts in Clinton Twp, MI. This time it was to see Art Garfunkel,
formialy of "Simon and Garfunkel."

Sometimes when I see a concert I post a story about it in some of my
favorite and or relevant-to-the-subject newsgroups. Sometimes others
who were at the same show or saw a gig on the same tour will reply and
I also get to save the memories for my upcoming "Concerts That I Have
been to" website. :)

I hope that you do not mind me posting this here. The NGs that I am
posting this at are my favorite musical NGs. :)

Also, please excuse the bad spelling. It is late at night and I just
got back from the gig about three hours ago.

On the way to the Garfunkel show, somewhere a few miles south of
Flint, I was pulled over by the Michigan State Police. I asked what
was wrong and the trooper asked, or more accurately yelled, why was I
"sitting" in the left lane while going "66 to 68 mph" and wouldn't let
him pass. Absolutely dumbfounded, I told him that I thought that the
speed limit was 70 and my speed indicator said I was going 70.

He then asked for my licence, regristration and my proof of insurance
so I went into the glove compartment and took my time looking. I
found a vintage 1920s real photo postcard of Clara Bow that I had been
looking for then I turned up the insurance proof. I gave that to him
and started to look for the regrestration and found it. Before I had
the chance to give it to him he had taken off back to the squad car.
"Ass hole," I said to myself.

The peace maker came back and gave me back my licence and insurance
stuff and told me to keep out of the left lane and told me that my
licence plate was obstructed. He left and I said "SORRY!" but before
he got into his police car he kicked my rear bumper, I presume, to
knock the snow off my licence plate that I thought was already gone
before I left home.

Before I knew it, the state Police vehicle took off like a bat out of
hell and violated at least three speed laws.

I have been pulled over a several times by the Police for stupid
reasons ever since I got my first car but this is the only time I had
ever been pulled over for going 66 - 68 mph on a 70mph highway!

Back to my story about the concert. In short, Art Garfunkel was great
and remarkably sounded almost just like he did in the 60s and 70s. He
did a 90 min show and still has his remarkable vocal abilities and
musical sencibilities intact.

He did all of the favorite Simon & G tunes that I always hear on the
radio and a bunch that I have never heard before. It was a great
journey through the musical world of Art Garfunkel. :)

After the concert was over I took it upon myself to stand out in the
very cold weather for about an hour or more for a chance to say hello
to Art and perhaps get an autograph.

It was, and still is, FREEZING outside and I was about to go into the
parking lot and get my truck to park it nearer to the building so I
could stay warm in it until Art got out but I figured that if I did
that I may miss him so I stayed near the building with the others.

There was a group of young teeaged girls from Canada and three other
guys whos age ranged from late 20s to late 30s who were also waiting
for Art. We chatted a few words but I became too cold too soon to say
much.

One guy who I talked with told me he got Chuck Berry's autograph and
we started to talk about the rock and rollers that we have met. I was
shivering like a mad man although I was wearing my winter coat with a
hooded sweatshirt under it.

At one point I told him that I liked Art Garfunkel's music but was not
a big enough fan to be really excited to see him in concert. I went
on and said that the reason why I go to these shows sometimes is just
to see certain performers before they get too old to perform anymore
and as a result in the future I will end up regreting not seeing them
when I had the chance.

I missed out on seeing Johnny Cash when he was in Flint a couple of
years ago. It turned out unexpectedly to be his last concert! Since
then I get tickets to almost everything that catches my interest but
is not too expensive. I would like to see all of the Rock and Country
greats before the retire from the biz.

Most of the time I end up being surprised at how really great a lot of
these older musicians still are. The Everly Brothers and Loretta Lynn
provided me with the most pleasant surprises. They still have "it!"

One of the girls overheard me saying this and yelled "Don't say that!"
as if I placed the thought in her mind that her biggest idol, Art
Garfunkel, will eventually grow older and die.

I used to think the same pure thoughts about the immortal members of
the Beatles when I was a kid.

These girls from Canada were HUGE fans and none of them were over 19!
:) It was nice to see younger people becoming deeply emotional about
music that most their age won't listen to.

Well, eventually Garfunkel's band members and entorage began to filter
out of the building. One guy, who I think may have been a legendary,
long time Paul Simon and Garfunkel collaborator stood outside with us
in the cold chatting away with everyone. I was too cold to speak,
however, so I just smiled. The freezing air bit me hard!

After he left and a long time later a lady came out and said that Art,
his wife and kid were having a bite to eat and it would be a while.
By then I am thinking, "This is the last time that I will stand out in
the cold like this for an autograph." The previous time was a year
ago when I met Don Rickles (a very gracious gentelman) and then
literially caught his flu!

It seemed like hours later, even thought it was probably a few
minuets, a young guy came out of the back door of the venue. The
Garfunkel fan who I was exchanging stories about other Rock and Roll
Hall Of Famers I had met told me that the guy was Art's manager and
that sometimes is used as Art's mouth peice because somethines Art
does not like to deal with fans who want to say hello and get
autographs.

The guy came up to the group of us and said something like "Art will
be out in a few minuets. If there are any of you who have cameras I
ask that you don't shoot pictures becuase Art is not in the
photographing mood tonight."

I thought, "No problem. My camera will most likely freeze up when if
I tried to take one anyway."

Moments later, there were a lot of "moments later" tonight, a woman
motioned us to the door and said that we could wait inside for Art.

We all filed into the toasty warm foyer of the building and soon
enought, there was Art. He was wearing a bluish-grey winter coat and
a knitted snow cap. He looked like he was ready for some cold air! :)

To his right was the dressing room where his wife was standing and
waiting for hubby to get through with the fans so they could leave.
She didn't seem like she wanted to be there for long, IMHO. :)

I was standing near the end of the line as I was the slowest to move
into the venue. The girls talked to Art at length. As a matter of
fact everyone has a conversation with Art. He was surprisingly warm
and chatty. He asked us what song we thought was the best that night
and answered musical type questions.

One guy who borrowed my pocket knife to open the wrap on his new CD so
Art could sign it was asked "where did you get this from." and he
said "I got it from people who were selling them in the lobby." Art
smiled and said something that it was great that he got it there.

Next Art looked at me. It was my turn and all I said was "Hi." Art
paused and said hello and signed the program. I gave him my thanks
with a nice smile and backed away headed for the door as others began
to speak to Art. I was still freezing, althought I was in the heated
building. I couldn't feel my toes!

At first I thought that when he paused to return my greetings he was
looking at me like I was a germ but as I rode home I realised that he
was most likely waiting for me to start a conversation with him! I
was the only one there who didn't say much. I do not do very well
when I am cold and at that point the only thing I was interested in
was heading home.

I got home and placed the autograph that Art gave me on the fireplace
mantel an act that I know for which I will be bitched at when I get up
tomorrow becuase my parents hate this kind of "shit."

"Take care of your G** D*mn shit! I don't want your garbage laying
all around here!"

Now you all can see why I like to go to a lot of concerts. :(

Has anyone here seen a recent Art Garfunkel show? What was it like
for you? :)

Have a nice day, :)

Darren
--------------------
Visit my favorite newsgroups...
Alt.Elvis.King
Alt.Movies.Silent
Alt.Music.Alanis
Alt.Music.Alanis.Morissette

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Jan 22, 2000, 3:00:00 AM1/22/00

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I just want to add:

The fact that this guy hold up European Drivers as an example of road
safety is truly the funniest thing I have EVER read!!!

I've driven in a FEW European countries...let me tell you...it's freakin'
anarchy! (and I love it)
--
Dan

Visit the Brian Wilson Audio Minipage at:
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Gallery/6281/avbrian.html

http://www.dan.addington.com

Darren <dnem...@sprynet.com> wrote in article
<3889E0E5...@sprynet.com>...

> >
> >
> > Nedpbgw wrote:
> >
> >> Hello,
> >>
> >> You wrote:
> >>

> >> >somewhere a few miles south of
> >> >Flint, I was pulled over by the Michigan State Police. I asked what
> >> >was wrong and the trooper asked, or more accurately yelled, why was I
> >>
> >> >"sitting" in the left lane while going "66 to 68 mph" and wouldn't
> >> let
> >> >him pass. Absolutely dumbfounded, I told him that I thought that
> >> the
> >> >speed limit was 70 and my speed indicator said I was going 70.
> >> >
> >> >He then asked for my licence, regristration and my proof of insurance
> >>
> >> >so I went into the glove compartment and took my time looking. I
> >> >found a vintage 1920s real photo postcard of Clara Bow that I had
> >> been
> >> >looking for then I turned up the insurance proof. I gave that to him
> >>
> >> >and started to look for the regrestration and found it. Before I had
> >>
> >> >the chance to give it to him he had taken off back to the squad car.
> >> >"Ass hole," I said to myself.
> >> >
> >>

> >> So the police officer was an "asshole", eh?
> >>
> >> Perhaps you don't realize that it is the law in almost every state
> >> that one
> >> should keep right except to pass?
> >>
> >> It's not a "silly" law, either.
> >>
> >> Driving on the left in the passing lane is not only inconsiderate, it
> >> is
> >> dangerous. It often results in people trying to pass you on the right,
> >> which
> >> further often results in traffic accidents.
> >>
> >> U.S. drivers are among the worst in the world, failing to observe
> >> basic common
> >> sense rules on the highway. If you've ever traveled in Europe, you'd
> >> NEVER see
> >> a driver pull the kind of dangerous stunt you did.
> >>
> >> Shame on you. And shame on the police officer for not giving you a
> >> ticket.Gary Wheelock in Vermont
> >
> Screw you!
>
> I was in that lane for no more that 30 sec waiting to traffic to part. I

> saw tht police in back of me and decided not to accelate past 70 in fear

> of getting a ticket. I got blocked in.
>

> --

g...@musician.org

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Jan 22, 2000, 3:00:00 AM1/22/00

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You've got to be kidding! I live in England and have driven across a
fair bit of Europe in my time and I can tell you that to hold us lot up
as the benchmark for good driving is beyond belief, especially in
England. These days all the police do is set speed traps and pretty much
everything else goes without them batting an eyelid.

gat

Darren

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Jan 22, 2000, 3:00:00 AM1/22/00

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Dan Addington wrote:

> I just want to add:
>
> The fact that this guy hold up European Drivers as an example of road
> safety is truly the funniest thing I have EVER read!!!
>
> I've driven in a FEW European countries...let me tell you...it's freakin'
> anarchy! (and I love it)
> --
> Dan

Dan,

THANK YOU for stating this.

Darren

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Jan 22, 2000, 3:00:00 AM1/22/00

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g...@musician.org wrote:

> You've got to be kidding! I live in England and have driven across a
> fair bit of Europe in my time and I can tell you that to hold us lot up
> as the benchmark for good driving is beyond belief, especially in
> England. These days all the police do is set speed traps and pretty much
> everything else goes without them batting an eyelid.
>
> gat

Okay, everyone. I am sorry that I brought the damn subject up.

(This is not directected at you Gat) I had no idea that there was a few of "I
am so perfect and you are not" billy bob cowboys out there who enjoy
thrashing and spouting off to people in regard to simple traffic infractions,
if you can call it that. Some of these jerks have even sent me some
disturbing emails so I will be deleting all incoming emails that are related
to my post.

The cop was over the top in his manner and if some of these folks had it
happen to them they woudl have thought differnetly. If someone is being an
ass, no matter if they are an everyday Joe Blow on the street or President of
the USA, in my book that person is being an ass. Cop or no cop.

The vasst majority of my original post was about music and meeting a musical
legend and thought it may bring about some positive discussion from others
about when they met someone in pop/rock music that they liked. I am sure that
there are a few of you who did meet your favorites and would have been more
than happy to share your stories.

What happened instead was this potentially interesting inter-newsgroup thread
was perverted into a twisted cesspool of indecency from every wacko "type A
personaility" driver from all around the world.

I thought that the thread would be interesting to read. However, considering
the poliferation of cheap computers and internet access I should have known
better.

TomThunder

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Jan 23, 2000, 3:00:00 AM1/23/00

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>I didn't call the officer an asshole but I am calling you one.

>Have a nice day, :)
>Darren

Oh, yum...and in our newsgroup, too.
Thanks for being so thoughtful...Tom

Dan Addington

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Jan 24, 2000, 3:00:00 AM1/24/00

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You'll notice, of course, that, except for maybe one case, none of the
jerky responses came from BB newsgroupers!!!

Stand proud, BB fans!!!
--
Dan

Visit the Brian Wilson Audio Minipage at:
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Gallery/6281/avbrian.html

http://www.dan.addington.com

Darren <dnem...@sprynet.com> wrote in article

<388A5078...@sprynet.com>...

Jon

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Jan 29, 2000, 3:00:00 AM1/29/00

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My experiences with Michgan State cops have been good. The ones who have
the major bugs up their asses are the small town "city" pigs and sheriff's
depts. I've always been treated fair and square by state cops.