Dream Team Autographs

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FRANKIE AVALON VERSES DONALD FAGEN  Because we meet so many celebrities each week I have decided to place two of the celebrities as a face-off so the people who do not have the opportunity to meet these folks may see a different side of them that they do not see on TV the screen or the concert stage. Let's start on a good note.    Singer  FRANKIE AVALON. Frankie has been performing too loyal fans since the early 60s where he was teen idol in many of the original beach blanket movies. This 76-year-old performer , in shape like he was in his thirties, continues to give full energy to sold out crowd's singing all of his hits and having everyone leave with a smile and amazement. Now I have met him before and we were waiting  patiently after the show in hopes of asking him to sign a few items that we were going to share with others. He came in though his manager and said he had to go he came over to us signed our items and without hesitation willingly took p...

Legendary and founding member of PINK FLOYD has been touring for the past few years with the lavish production of THE WALL to sold out crowds with a fantastic show. One thing THAT HAD BEEN a given like clockwork was that he would stop as he entered the venue he was to play and sign autographs from his car to a line that waited for him in an orderly fashion. But as usual all good things must end if they are taken advantage of and abused.    Now two years ago I with about 40 others waited outside with instructions by his staff he would sign one each and that is exactly what he did. There were the collectors and dealers who follow the instructions to the law. But with his signature on an item selling from 200 to 600 hundred some began to find ways to procure more not because they were fans but a way to be greedy and make a few bucks selling them from EBay and other auction sites. Some were clever I admit painting bricks white  , guitars until he made it known that he woul...

There are millions who have collected autographs over the centuries initially for pleasure and over the last 40 years for profit. Regardless of the motives the thrill of the hunt has been there and meeting that special personality without any reservations was something special. Now I have calculated that the professional grapher makes up 90 percent of seekers as the celebrities are selling autographs at shows and are so Leary of anyone who approaches them asking for a piece of their DNA either because of safety but mainly they do not want to give any autograph for free. A good friend of mine waited with one other person for TED NUGENT who reportedly sells his autograph for a charity. He flew by them both promising he would return to sign their one item but never did. We waited for LITA FORD after a show in the lobby of HHARD ROCK Hotel and she too would not acknowledge a few fans who had albums for her to sign that cost them and put money in her pocket. JOE JACKSON threatened to call ...

PAYING IT FORWARD is an act of sharing and kindness with anyone ,friends or stranger. Though I try every day to practice this ,lately I have been the lucky one on the receiving end. This was amazing. After attending the Celebration Car Show with a few friends meeting some celebs as Johnny Bench , Chris Mcdonald and Donny Most,I was getting into the car and a poster that I have collected for years which hundreds of musicians had autographed, fell out of my bag and as if in slow motion fell to the street and rolled down into a drainage opening resting ten feet down looking as if gone forever. I still didn't panic but inside I was crushed. Knowing I just couldn't give up, looking across the street was the town hall which was open due to the celebration and suggested to contact the FIRE DEPARTMENT which My buddy patiently went along on this impossible mission. When I explained my situation my new best friends MARGIE,KAYLA and ROSS followed me in their fire truck to the site t...

Anyone who has any love or interest in movies has seen the iconic movie AIRPLANE. It truly was one of the first movies that took slapstick and involved scores of notable actors. Now many of them were noted for serious roles but everyone were perfect and more one liners that people remember than any other movie I can recall. So just as things happen ROBERT HAYS who played "Strike" and DAVID  DRUCKER   who directed this funny masterpiece were in town for a film festival which put it a must for a few of my diehard friends and very importantly fans of the movie. When we met them the moment was special as both had a little craziness and wonderful personalities. When we approached them the first comment was " Are you guys Stalkers" stopping us for a moment until both smiled a mile wide telling us they were kidding. They chatted , signed autographs, took pictures and spoke with us for 10 minutes as if we had known them for years. When they took off to fly off to the Fil...

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS Over my lifetime I have witnessed more concerts than I could ever remember. Some stand out such as THE STONES, CONCERT FOR BANGLADESH, JAMES GANG and so many others. Tonight I just didn't just witness but experienced the group , the one and only RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS along with 30 thousand die hard fans who never sat down for 2 hours playing hit after hit. Now before I became a convert tonight , I never realized how amazing these 4 guys were. They played liked individuals but were so  in synced as one band , you were hypnotized as the music became one. CHAD SMITH played and was a part of his drums never once tiring even with breaking numerous drum sticks with a passion I have not seen since KEITH MOON. The Guitarist JOSH bounced up and down playing every riff never missing a single beat. FLEA on base appeared to fly back and forth on the stage making everyone feel he was playing just for them with pants that expressed the freedom of their music. ANTHONY the...

If people who chase for any autograph for fun or profit we all have been asked "  how do you get to meet so many celebrities ?" Some believe we are successful every time but the true grapher will tell you it is a lot of work. Knowing that they may be there, locating and then getting to them is all part of the process. Many times it may run like clockwork but just like life you run into many bumps in the road. This happened this past week though successful in most non came easy. Attended the TIM TEBOW golf Tournament where a few names participated and usually everyone is up close and a laid back atmosphere. Everything was not what we expected. Ropes kept everyone at bay so getting up close was not happening plus no items were. It allowed  Security were rude and even escorted a friend back to his car because he tried to get a photo signed. Though we did get some autographs it was not what we expected and definitely not enjoyable as in the past. We drove to see THE BLUES BR...

 Many times in all our daily lives we look forward to going somewhere or in our case meeting someone we have enjoyed from a far. Today singer DIONNE WARWICK was in town so 5 of us decided it would be a nice adventure to meet this singing icon. Now having met her several years ago ,  anticipated what may happen but like a good wine you always hope it gets better over the years. Now one must remember not every Celebrity will be as wonderful as a LILY TOMLIN or a JOHN TRAVOLTA or TONY BENNETT which our the standard as one of nicest anyone can meet. So as she came into our view we once again politely asked if she would mind signing. She stopped signed one each with an expression as if we weren't even there. She then dropped the marker in an album almost as if she didn't care if we were a fan or not. Not a thank you with many kind words about her career we all expressed, just a tilt of her head and her nose up in the air. Yes she did sign one but all had albums that she did make a ...

      A growing trend that is becoming disturbing with regular theme are music acts charging outlandish fees for a meet and greet. It is only a revenue scheme that shuts out many of the true fans who have faithfully bought their concert tickets, CDs and albums with a hope of getting a picture with or maybe a simple autograph. Most fans can not afford the fees that range from $150 to a $1000 for a 2 minute "hi" , "how are you" and a picture with and maybe one item signed.  It is getting out of hand and disappointment beyond words is becoming a regular event. Just the past few months HENRY ROLLINS , KENNY ROGERS,  and STYX came out and blew off only a handful of fans who waited out in the cold to ask for only a few minutes of their time and appreciation of their fans. Yes the argument is that the perception that everyone asking for an autograph are selling them on EBAY. So maybe some do but in the mist of them the true fan will outnumber them. So if people are ...

       Like so many people in life, we have certain individuals on our bucket list that we may have the opportunity to meet one day. One of mine is actor,Director, writer comedian BILLY CRYSTAL. With a stop over in Orlando he was performing at a local venue and the opportunity was there for the taking. So Rocketman and I positioned ourselves in the hopes of meeting this comedy legend and hoped our good luck would continue. As we waited we spotted and met actress BONNIE HUNT who was charming signing autographs and taking a picture with us. Then without warning I glanced up and LARRY BIRD the HOF Basketball Legend came strolling up without fan fare. Many say he is very tough when approached but not this time. He towered over us and couldn't have been more pleasant. He posed for pictures and even signed an autograph with out reservation. Now if it ended there We couldn't have asked for anymore but then BILLY CRYSTAL CAME IN OUR VIEW. I politely asked if he would si...

 Before MTV, hype and promotional tools that new and ongoing music acts Endure today there was DICK CLARKS AMERICAN BANDSTAND. Each week On Americas TV people would see and listen to the new sound of ROCK N ROLL that was sweeping the younger generation of the early sixties. They were the pioneers of the music that is still going strong today. Though I was a little lad at the time I can still remember hearing and loving the new sound when I went to the candy store, malt shops and on the TV with Dick Clarks shows. With Nostalgia a main stream in our society a friend and I took a trip to catch a few of the big names that still are performing to crowds that have not forgotten some of the innocent and when Fun was fun. After the show 3 of the performers came out to sign autographs which included JOHNNY TILLOTSON, CHRIS MONTEZ and MERRILEE RUSH ( Angel of the Morning )Had them sign a music poster of other music stars with Merrilee the most impressed and responded Holy Crap" seeing so...

      Many years ago when you were a COLLECTOR of autographs it truly was not difficult and 99 percent of the personalities were approachable and gracious about giving a piece of their DNA and posing for a picture. Plays, Movie Premieres. Promotional Stops , Charity Events and just seeing someone on the street were so accessible that people who try today would never believe it. But I have been collecting for over 50 years( yikes that is a long time) since I was 10, and lately I have noticed a disturbing trend that is getting worst and worst.  Some blame it on 911, others on EBAY , greed that some approach celebrities they no not know just as a dollar sign.  Graphers with some many items that they will have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome just looking at them and Shows were Celebrities SELL their autograph and a picture with and even paranoia due to some stalkers and crazed individuals.    My concern and evidence was just seen this past 2 weeks. We were waitin...

I am asked constantly who are the worst and best personalities to approach in hopes of getting an autograph for your collection or in many cases to try to sell. Honestly the list will change every week with the majority We can say are good but the bad stick out like a sore thumb. You have the likes of JERRY LEE LEWIS. JERRY LEWIS, KEVIN COSTNER, and even MERYL STREEP who make the list every year. But this past 2 weeks one in particular may be topping them all. Singer KENNY ROGERS was playing  what he billed as his last world tour and decided to grace us in a venue that is very accessible to meet and attempt a request for an autograph that may take 30 seconds to accommodate some that have not forgotten him.  We heard stories that he was tough but seems is believing. I once spoke to his manager and requested if I could send him a few albums for Rogers to sign and when they came back he signed ONLY one in the package of seven which were going to a special cause. I knew what may ...

      CARRIE FISHER,  Princess Leia from Star Wars, DEBBIE REYNOLDS Unsinkable Molly Brown BERNARD FOX Dr. Bombay from Bewitched and Titanic ALAN THICKE Growing Pains JOSEPH MASCOLO Stephanie from Days of Our Lives PETER VAUGH Maester Aemon from Game of Thrones VAN WILLIAMS of The Green Hornet MARGARET WHITTON owner of The Indians in Major League ALICE DRUMMOND from Ghostbusters and Awakenings ANDREW SACHS waiter in Fawlty Towers RON GLASS Detective on Barney Miller ABE VIGODA Barney Miller, Godfather FRITZ WEAVER Tony award winner from Broadway FLORENCE HENDERSON Brady Bunch Mom ROBERT VAUGHN Napoleon Solo from Man from Uncle original Magnificent Seven DON MARSHALL Land of the Giants TAMMY GRIMES Tony Winner from Broadway JOHN ZACHEALE Early TV Horror Host JAMES STACY TV Western Lancer PATTY DUKE Actress Patty Duke Show WILLIAM SCHALLERT Father from Patty Duke also Lonely are The Brave EDDIE APPLEGATE Boyfriend from Patty Duke Show HUGH O'BRIAN Played TV Wya...

Every year DISNEY does a CHRISTMAS PROCESSIONAL with celebrities as the narrators. This year they added two new celebrities to the lineup which were a stroke of genius. Disneys CHANNUKAH gift was ROBBY BENSON. He starred in many movies over the years ( One on One, Running Brave and the voice of Disneys classic BEAUTY AND THE BEAST). He was articulate during the presentation and a few if us had heard he was fan friendly and hoped for an autograph and picture. As we approached him and politely asked , without any hesitation or sly remarks he replied " Sure" and smiled with sparkling eyes that many women have fallen in love with from a far. He chatted about everything and treated us with respect and appreciation that not all stars do as we have seen at times. He had the intelligence to realize we were fans and not someone trying to make a buck on EBAY. Now for our CHRISTMAS gift. MING NA WEN. Though not a household name most remember her roles in ER, AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D ,...

Every once in a while I write a negative experience in our daily adventures in autographing and meeting celebrities we had admired and respected over the years. Yesterday was one of them. First the BEACH BOYS were performing in a local venue for 2 days and 4 shows. Now the ONLY original member traveling with this show is MIKE LOVE who we met the night before. Now another long standing band member is BRUCE JOHNSTON. At best he has been second fiddle to all the past legendary members. But being a member we thought it best to request a simple autograph on albums he made money off and Schoolboy having a couple of photos he wanted to complete that had Johnson on them. As we observed and waited as a 75 year old aging musician flirt with the hotel staff he turned and we politely ask if he would mind signing a couple of autographs. Without hesitation he looked at Schoolboys picture and said" you are going to sell that" and kept repeating it over and over. Schoolboy said " not ...

I grew up watching THE TERMINATOR, TITANTIC, TRUE LIES and AVATAR and like so many of us they were among of favorites of all time. All have one thing in common and of course it's JAMES Cameron who directed them in a style that has made them classics. Now he was in town at Disney for a conference concerning Avatar and DISNEYS plan to open a new project for everyone to enjoy. Now some of the graphers had his flight coming in but I have heard that he doesn't sign at the airports which I do not blame him at all. My cohort Rocketman and I were planning to see a comedian Ralpie May but we on hunch hoped that maybe CAMERON was going to stay at Animal Kingdom but there was no confirmation that he would be but we thought let's give it the College Try. We chatted about life and family when we were just about to give it up LI and behold he exited from a car not noticed by anyone EXCEPT US. As he approached the entrance we both approached him in a civil way asking for an autograph. ...

For anyone living in a cave you can go back to what you were doing and those who never watched THE GAME OF THRONES you are missing one of the best TV shows for anyone. The diehard fans of which I am one please enjoy . The opportunity came about that KRISTAIN NAIRN was going to be in town and his character HOLDOOR was one that was not the main role but we all took a liking to him due mainly for his loyalty and simple kindness he displayed. With friends Rocketman and Bugsy we used some ingenuity and found the place he was waiting before he was going to do his DJ performance at a local club . He travels around the world playing tunes who rock, dance and enjoy this inner talent he displays. Coming out he invited us upstairs and with his strong Irish drawl he hung out with us taking pictures and signing what items we had. He dwarfed me like no other before but never stopped smiling . As big as a man that he was , his personality and heart were bigger. We wished him well an...

Dream Team Autographs : THE PASSING OG LEONARD COHEN, JANET RENO AND LEON ... : What a strange week which makes one feel how important life is with the passing of four personalities that we grew up. LEONARD COHEN had a...