For those who grew up in the dawn of Rock N Roll when JEFFERSON AIRPLANE hit the scene starting in the San Francisco Bay area and spreading across the USA and then the world. Many like myself began instant fans and followers of their unique sound. I have seen them in concert dating back to 1969 and the world fell in love with them with their memorable performance at WOODSTOCK and like so many others I have seen them countless times and never have been disappointed. As a collector of memorabilia especially music , I have collected about 25 pieces from albums to posters of Airplane who then became Starship and over the years have tried to get the whole band to sign them to fully complete the piece. Meeting GRACE SLICK was one of my favorite highlights andI gave some added incentive to her to sign by buying a couple of her paintings but still the interaction with her talking about so many things will never be forgotten. I met DAVID FRIEBERG many times and was will be a fellow who was always kind and never refused an autograph request. Recently My Son and Daughter In Law had CRAIG CHAQUICO sign many of the albums he was on and he too was remarkable and kind. No
w in the past I did get JORMA KANKONEN and JACK CASADY but never had the enjoyment of the other great members.
SO THAT had left PAUL KANTNER as my top ten bucket list autograph as he was on every album that them put out. Several times in the past year I went to see STARSHIP but Paul was not there due to illness and recently a major heart attack in May. When I heard that STARSHIP was returning to the Central Florida area for the third time in the past year and I only could hope that MAYBE he would make the trip but truthfully I did not get my hopes up. I even recently wrote a letter to Paul that I would be willing to fly to California with my items in hopes to meet him and sign all that I had but never heard back. I waited prior to the show to see if Paul was with the band before I bought a ticket and patiently sat out back with my son and daughter in law again. Soon a policeman came out and told us that everyone is inside and the show started already. I could only think maybe Meeting PAUL KANTNER was never going to happen. So as I headed home , I had to try one more time. So back we went after the show still not knowing if he was even with the band. As the show let out, I approached a few people and asked " Is Paul Inside" and one lady responded " Is he the older guitar player with the bandana" .YES!!!! Nothing was going to stop us now. My luck even changed more when one of the organizers recognize me and gave me the meet and greet pass. If she only knew how much it was appreciated and my only way was giving her an album signed by the entire band. As I inched forward the legend who sat on the end of the table and was everything I had hoped for in waiting for 30 years to meet him. He and I spoke about a wide range of topics and never flinched or made any comments on signing everything I had. I can truly say I have not been so satisfied spiritually in meeting someone and it all turned out even better than I could have ever dreamed. I am still missing one PETE SEARS who plays with MONALICE and who knows if that will ever happen but I can say with heartfelt feelings that I have met the legend and a legend of greatness he will always be to me. Thank You Paul until we meet again.
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