Nastiest (And Nicest) Celebrities I’ve Met

[@Prog-Radio]

Fun episode!!! My top brush with fame “out in the wild” was Peter Gabriel. Long story. But he was awesome.

[@TheProgCorner]

That’s amazing!!!!!

[@ProgRadio-br4eo]

@@TheProgCorner I owned a software business for many years, and one of our products, Ascend, focused on time management using the Franklin Covey system. At the massive COMDEX show in Vegas, our booth was packed, and I was at the front swiping name badges for people who wanted more info. The demand was so high that I was swiping badges non-stop without looking up. Then, I noticed the name on one of the badges: "Peter Gabriel." I prepared to make a joke about the name being the same as "our" Peter Gabriel. But when I looked up, to my shock, it was THEE Peter Gabriel. You have to understand at this time, I was the biggest Genesis/Gabriel fan (ok, still am =), so it was all I could do to not get on my knees with the whole "I'm not worthy!" routine. Instead, I kept my cool and said, "Oh wow, it really is that Peter Gabriel. Just want you to know I'm a big fan." He gave me a slight smile. I continued, "I have all your early albums..." He seemed ready for me to mention Melt or Car, but I said, "Trespass, Nursery Cryme, Selling England by the Pound, and my all-time favorite, Foxtrot." His slight grin turned into a MASSIVE smile-he now knew I was a legit fan. We started chatting, and he couldn’t have been cooler. It turns out, he was a Franklin Day Planner user and was excited about automating it with our software. Over the next few months, we sold a lot of software to his Real World Studios, and fielded their tech questions. The guy knew his tech and appreciated its value. And no, I’ve never washed my right hand since. [End story time.]

[@BrockwaysVinylBytes]

@@Prog-Radio I suppose it is story time!!! Tell us!! 🤘🤘

[@Prog-Radio]

@@TheProgCorner I owned a software business for many years, and one of our products, Ascend, focused on time management using the Franklin Covey system. At the massive COMDEX show in Vegas, our booth was packed, and I was at the front swiping name badges for people who wanted more info. The demand was so high that I was swiping badges non-stop without looking up. Then, I noticed the name on one of the badges: "Peter Gabriel." I prepared to make a joke about the name being the same as "our" Peter Gabriel. But when I looked up, to my shock, it was THEE Peter Gabriel. You have to understand that at the time, I was a MASSIVE Genesis/Gabriel fan (still am :), and it took everything in me not get on my knees and have a "I'm not worthy" moment. Instead, I kept my cool and said, "Oh wow, it really is that Peter Gabriel. Just want you to know I'm a big fan." He gave me a slight smile. I continued, "I have all your early albums..." He seemed ready for me to mention Melt or Car, but I said, "Trespass, Nursery Cryme, Selling England by the Pound, and my all-time favorite, Foxtrot." His slight grin turned into a MASSIVE smile-he now knew I was a legit fan. We started chatting, and he couldn’t have been cooler. It turns out, he was a Franklin Day Planner user and was excited about automating it with our software. Over the next few months, we sold a lot of software to his Real World Studios, and fielded their tech questions. The guy knew his tech and appreciated its value. And no, I’ve never washed my right hand since. End story time.

[@patbarr1351]

Pete seems cool. I went to see him in the early '80's at Tower Records in Hollywood with my portable cassette recorder around my neck & he was nice enough to do a promo for our CSULB FM station.

[@Best_Wrestling_Promos]

😂😂😂"Dan Marino- You never won a superbowl for a reason, cuz you SUCK!" 😂😂😂

[@TheProgCorner]

And I was a fan too!!!

[@mikereiss4216]

@@TheProgCorner Not after that episode you weren't. Right?

[@TheProgCorner]

@@mikereiss4216 Exactly!

[@ronh.798]

I met Alice Cooper, we talked about horror movies and baseball. He could not have been nicer.

[@TheProgCorner]

Awesome!!!!! I would like to meet him one day!!!! 👍👍👍

[@deaconofbeacon733]

Well, besides our household’s infatuation with Hello Kitty, it looks like we have another thing in common, we both have met Erik Kretz. I went to high school with him in San Jose. He was a year behind me, and did not know him very well (I doubt he would remember me), but I had talked to him a couple of times, I remember once talking to him about Saga’s drummer of all things. He was the coolest, nicest guy for sure, kind of soft spoken. His jazz fusion band played at the school’s annual Gong Show and his playing just blew us all away. This was a great topic and I enjoyed it very much. A couple of the nicest celebs I have met are: Mike Krukow, ex MLB pitcher and current Giants announcer and Christy Canyon…two of the nicest, friendliest, smartest, and down to earth people you could ever meet. I also worked a part time job during college with John Ottman in San Jose. John won an Oscar in film editing for the movie Bohemian Rhapsody. He has edited and scored soundtracks for several movies. We would always argue who was better, Beethoven or Jerry Goldsmith. I gave him a copy of Tony Bank’s Wicked Lady soundtrack which he absolutely went bonkers over. Yeah, I also did have one not so good encounter…with 45 of all people. Sitting on the grass with my father in the front row at the Pebble Beach Pro Am sometime in the mid 90’s. Do not want to go near politics, so I will just say that what he did to several of us as he walked by to his ball was simply inappropriate and truly bizarre. Everyone around was looking at each other asking WTF just happened???

[@mvjonsson]

I briefly met Emerson, Lake and Palmer after a concert in 1992. They were tired after the show but they all shook my hand, I remember that particularly Keith was very nice. I also met Mick Box and Lee Kerslake before a Uriah Heep concert in 1988 and they were very professional and down to earth.

[@TheProgCorner]

Wow!!!! KE GL and CP? Amazing!!!

[@bryandraughn9830]

Awesome! Greg lake Jr was a local dj in south Florida and he introduced my band at our album release party! Didn't charge us a dime! Super cool guy!

[@davidl570]

Can understand Keith being nice, considering he was actually in a band called....................The Nice!

[@OutOnTheTiles]

Met John Paul Jones after a gig at Massey Hall in 2000. He came to the back alley of Massey to sign autographs and take pics. There were about 15 of us. He was the kindest most gentle person ever. A true English gentleman. He spent at least 20 minutes with us. I got a few pictures. I had nothing with me for him to sign but getting some pics with him was priceless. It seems the Zeppelin guys are good people. Friendly. Cheers

[@TheProgCorner]

JPJ always seemed like a great guy.

[@andrewgoss9013]

I saw him open for King Crimson in the early 2000s. It was a small venue and I was in the second row. They were mainly instrumental up until they started to play That's the Way. Jones stepped up to the microphone and I said, louder than I expected, "Oh my God, he's gonna sing it." He glanced my way, gave a quick smile, and sang. I felt like a lovestruck teenager. I was 30 😆

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Massey Hall is such a wonderful venue.

[@toddhill7483]

Working in Southern California for many years I unexpectedly met a few "celebrities" I met Maureen McCormick (aka Marcia Brady) She was very nice and made unflinching eye contact. Gene Hackman came into the Home Building supply Warehouse I worked at for supplies. He was covered in paint and wore a tattered t shirt and shorts. He was a totally down to earth dude, And finally, while working at a small market in Agoura Hills California and Debbie Harry sometimes came in to buy lunch and snacks. (I think she was in town for shooting a movie) Me to co worker: "That woman was beautiful" Co worker: "Don't you know who that was? It's Debbie Harry. I thought you liked Blondie". This was in the early 90s. The few times I tabbed her up at the register, I was rendered entirely speechless, unable to even verbalize her correct change. She was a VERY gracious human soul.

[@TheProgCorner]

I love Debbie Harry so this makes me happy!!!!

[@paultom5794]

Yes. As they say over here in England, " Genius is no excuse for rudeness." Or as Scot says, " You're better than that"

[@TheProgCorner]

That’s right!!!! 👍👍👍

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

A Glaswegian will simply answer the rudeness with a kiss. Nobody forgets their first Glasgow Kiss.

[@paultomaney8285]

​@@buckodonnghaile4309Ouch!

[@marklockey4434]

I met Greg Lake 4 times, twice with ELP and twice on his solo tours. Always a lovely man, chatted and signed loads of merch…also, his guitar roadie gave me all 4 of his bass strings outside Royal Albert Hall as he was re-stringing his guitar for the show in 1992.

[@TheProgCorner]

I have heard that he was a nice man.

[@astrosauce]

Met Rick Wakeman after a solo show, was a great guy and got some photos with him, one of the best musicians I’ve ever met.

[@TheProgCorner]

Cool. I’ve never had the pleasure!!!

[@donaldanderson6604]

Met him after a couple of his solo piano gigs in ​local churches. Lovely bloke. I know someone who did some work on his house who said the same. @@TheProgCorner

[@j.m.5300]

Met Wakeman after a Yes show in Kansas. Around 2002. My brother wrote a book about Yes. They liked the book. Chris Squire wrote a blurb for the book and he and my brother became friends. Long story short....we had front row seats and backstage passes. Met the whole band minus Steve Howe, who did not do meet and greets then. The whole band were nice enough. I will always remember Wakeman talking about his love for the "I Love Lucy" tv show.

[@davidl570]

Check out Rick Beato's recent interview with him! He's full of cool and interesting stories.

[@zerodok]

I’ve met Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips. I had seen them play at a show once where they passed out earphones and a small transistor radio. Dialed to a particular low frequency station you could hear the show broadcast expertly mixed so that it “doubled” the live sound in the theater. He was pretty friendly and I asked him about that, because it was such a cool experience to walk around the club and hear a perfect live mix. He said they got the idea from a concert where … YES had done exactly that! This conversation took place at a small club in Oklahoma where the White Stripes played before they blew up.

[@TheProgCorner]

That’s awesome. I love The Flaming Lips!!!!

[@aruiztech]

Thanks Scot! Celebrities are just people. Some kind, some not. I know I've had days where I've been an A-hole to someone.

[@TheProgCorner]

Me too!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!

[@HockeyDudeJames2]

Awesome video brother. You're a good story teller.

[@TheProgCorner]

I found my calling!!!

[@Jeremyracle-qb9mo]

For Elton, Sorry really is the hardest word !

[@TheProgCorner]

Good one!!!

[@alfietomkins7829]

Ive not met many celebrities but i have met all the guys in the Damned, all of them were super nice, even had a drink with them, great guys. Also met Ray Davies once, he was kind of shy but very nice. Thankfully haven't met anyone nasty

[@TheProgCorner]

Brian, Dave, Rat and the Captain???? Wow!!!! My old lead singer (Casey Chaos) replaced Vanian for some shows back in the day. Love that band.

[@alfietomkins7829]

@TheProgCorner I met the Damned first time in 2003, the lineup consisted of Dave, Captain, Daves wife Patricia Morrison, Monty Oxymoron and Pinch on drums, really nice to the fans, I have met various other members old and new over the years, never disappointed, always friendly. Dave Vanian is one of the most patient people I've ever met, he was really cool, a proper gentleman

[@TheProgCorner]

I’ve heard he’s a stand up guy.

[@mikeh7262]

Great stories. Thanks for keeping us entertained.

[@TheProgCorner]

That’s what I’m here for.

[@rosshageman951]

Great show. I was able to meet Carl Palmer in 2014 after the ELP Legacy show. It was a small venue and Carl and bandmates made it a point to greet as many of the members as possible. Of course they were selling autographed CDs and the like.

[@TheProgCorner]

I’ve heard Carl is a cool dude.

[@jackr.1609]

I met Chris Squire and Alan White in a meet-and-greet after a Syn gig. Chris Squire is my bass hero, but he was quite rude, more focused on his drinking. Alan White, on the other hand, was a true gentleman, polite and approachable.

[@TheProgCorner]

I never met Chris. But Alan was cool both times I met him!!!!

[@RobGretsinger]

I've had the pleasure to meet many famous musicians. Generally, they have all been great. Some of the nicest people I've met include Nick Mason, Geddy Lee, Bill Bruford, Alan White, Chris Squire, Tony Levin, Alan Parsons, Geoff Downes, Dave Brubeck, and Geezer Butler. I had less than great encounters with Steve Howe and Adrian Belew. I hope to meet you one day, Scott!

[@AlexandrTVOfficialChannel]

less great encounter with Belew?

[@TheProgCorner]

Steve Howe apparently isn’t very nice. But he was very cool with me!!!!

[@RobGretsinger]

He was cool on my second meeting with him. ​@@TheProgCorner

[@RobGretsinger]

​@@AlexandrTVOfficialChannelHe basically snubbed me after a KC show. Maybe he just had a bad night. Either way, I'm a respectful fan. I just wanted 30 seconds of his time.

[@genericusername1365]

I've seen Adrian live about 20 times. Shook his hand once, but didn't really "meet" him. I'm surprised you had a negative experience with him, because he doesn't have a reputation for that.

[@IsothermeMusic]

You forgot to mention Andy Edwards, perhaps the most famous of them all! 🙄

[@TheProgCorner]

You’re right!!!!

[@carlgibbons5777]

Being a drummer, Most of my celebs meets tend to be drummers or musicians. Met legendary Mike Portnoy a couple times. Great guy!!!! Met top studio guy and long time Mellencamp drummer Kenny Aronoff. Super nice! We talked about his friend Neil Peart among other things. Met Queensryche drummer Scott Rockenfield and corresponded by email. Great guy. One of nicest i have met. Met entire bands of Queensryche and Dream Theater and it was great with one exception. I could tell guitarist Mike Stone of Queensryche was a total asshole. I have heard stories about him since so that just kind of confirms it.

[@TheProgCorner]

Awesome!!!!! I’ve only met Portnoy at a meet and greet but he was super cool.

[@musicnotherdrugs6760]

I did a sit-down interview with the guys from Korn once, and, while I was never that into the music, they couldn't have been nicer.

[@TheProgCorner]

I kinda like Korn!!!

[@patbarr1351]

Very entertaining! I'd cut the younger celebs some slack. In Mike Nesmith's memoir, he called it Celebrity Derangement Syndrome & admitted he had it during The Monkees TV series days ("Don't you know who I am?").

[@TheProgCorner]

Humans aren’t designed to be famous!!!

[@jerrypotente872]

Awesome celebrity encounters Scott! In my years living in New York City and 3 1/2 years in Los Angeles, I have brushed with many many celebrity rockers and actors three of the coolest superstar actors who were very kind to me and willing to actually have a conversation were and I won’t go into any details to keep this short, but Robert Plant in a Barnes & Noble opposite the New York public library Bruce Springsteen who I chatted with at the stone pony virtually 50 years ago and Graham Nash, who was in a Starbucks on Ventura Boulevard in Encino where I lived and who I had a 10 minute conversation with about his music and he couldn’t be more kind either really generous with his time and energy. OK man sounds like you’ve had a wonderful life experience. Keep it up .

[@jerrypotente872]

I was so excited to share that with you, Scott, I miss spoke. I meant superstar recording artists Mia culpa Mia culpa!

[@TheProgCorner]

That’s pretty awesome!!!! Plant, Springsteen & Nash. Sounds like a law office…

[@jerrypotente872]

@@TheProgCorner why not , they have the money of most big city lawyers,,lol -great reply , Brother Scott. , youhave any spare sneakers you can send me???!!!lol.

[@TheProgCorner]

I’m not as bad as I used to be - new pair of Jordans or Air Max every week!!!

[@paulayers1111]

Peter Gabriel was definitely the KINDEST celebrity I’ve ever met. My most awkward encounter was with Steve Tyler. He was at the Hollywood bowl for sound check and I was security. His little mini pocket doggie went ahead and pissed on the stage. I had to clean it up 😑. Later that night I met Johnny Depp. We both watched cheap trick from the side of the stage and never said a word to each other but were side by side for like 30 min. Very quiet kinda timid vibe from him. Glenn Frey and Don Henley were also pretty snotty. But Joe Walsh was super kind and easy going

[@TheProgCorner]

I have a Johnny Depp story…

[@jms1086]

Fun stories Scot, thanks for sharing! 👍

[@o.b.v.i.u.s]

i have an Elton John story... Milwaukee, the Harley-Davidson 100th anniversary concert... Elton was signing autographs backstage... he stayed until everybody who wanted an autograph got one; he literally stayed until he was the only person left, then he walked to his trailer... and it was a very tough day for him; a gay Englishman singing Tiny Dancer for 100,000 bikers... they treated him like crap... and yet he was as gracious a star as i've ever seen... ☮💟🌍

[@TheProgCorner]

Wow!!! Being raised in Waukesha I know how we Wisconsinites can be!!!

[@michaelvandiver2475]

My wife and I met Glenn Frey in Maui, HI in 2002 on our honeymoon at a swank buffet. I heard his SoCal voice 10ft behind us in line and instantly knew who it was without looking. Waited til his family finished dinner and my wife went up to him for an autograph. He was so nice and welcoming and thanked us for not approaching him during dinner. He even kinda flirted with my wife...I didn't mind at all! No one else seemed to recognize him. Eagles were in their down years then. Anyway, he went too early. RIP Glenn.

[@TheProgCorner]

That’s pretty amazing!!!!

[@davidl570]

Nice to hear something POSITIVE about Glenn Frey! Still miss that guy like crazy.

[@carterlink]

I’ve met and chatted with Fish (ex Marillion) a couple of times in the past. Mostly pre gig in the pub. Top bloke. Lovely and normal, and seemingly very appreciative of his fans.

[@TheProgCorner]

Nice!!!! I love Fish!!!

[@unknownkingdom]

Don't think that counts as a celebrity

[@carterlink]

@@unknownkingdom Certainly does to me mate when he’s been in the music business 5 decades and has an international fan base.

[@canadianstudmuffin]

No surprise with Elton as he is known to have quite the temper, but it's still sad. Sad about Whitney as she was a great talent. Sweet story about Michael Jordan. I met Paul McCartney's band backstage in 2010 and they were super nice.

[@TheProgCorner]

👍👍👍

[@Terk131]

The Bitch is Back is what Elton’s manager used to say to the crew when Elton would go into his hissy fits. Then they wrote a song about it. True story.

[@matthewcoombs3282]

Cool story about Jerry Lewis. My comedy hero. Two of my friends met Sting in different circumstances for professional reasons. A very humble and kind man. A rock star without ego.

[@TheProgCorner]

That’s awesome!!!

[@Mistressofthegroove]

This was awesome man, love it! Tell us more!!

[@TheProgCorner]

I got more!!!! Trust that. South Beach brought all the stars - and they like to shop!!!

[@Mills25]

Dude you worked Foot Locker at Dadeland? Now I'm sure we met lol I lived at that mall in the 80s/90s

[@TheProgCorner]

Dadeland, Cutler Ridge, Bayside, Omni, Miami International, Westland, Aventura, 163rd Street Mall, Mayfair…things were popping!!!

[@Mills25]

@@TheProgCorner aww man, the Ridge! Never the same after Andrew 😕

[@TheProgCorner]

@@Mills25 Luckily I was living in Miami Lakes so I survived Andrew!!!!

[@progman777]

Met Steve Buscemi at Museum of Natural History in NY, he was so cool! Great guy!

[@TheProgCorner]

I love him!!!

[@JackJohnst2112]

Cool stories Scott as always! 👍

[@will27ns]

Just as in real life, some folks are cool, some are jerks. As a kid, me and my friends idolized Mickey Mantle. We saw him outside Yankee Stadium after a game...just us and him! Unfortunately, he was a total jerk. But years later I felt sorry for him knowing he had personal issues.

[@TheDreamtimezzz]

Jlo and Barbera Streisand treated the staff the worst I have ever seen when they were in town. But the worst human being was Gene Simmons.

[@TheProgCorner]

Ouch!!!!🤕

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Jlo will be behind bars very soon

[@robertwiles8106]

I've met many iconic superstars -- all quite randomly -- out in the wild. The biggest is probably Mick Fleetwood. I spent a full evening with the Fleetwood family (Mick, his wife and kids) from hotel to arena to backstage to dressing room to hotel afterparty for a Fleetwood Mac show around 10 years ago. My buddy was Mick Fleetwood's roommate in boarding school back in the 50s (like 4th grade, they were KIDS). They couldn't have been nicer or more welcoming. I ate dinner backstage with Mick's family and Stevie Nicks' sister. Got to go onstage before the show. Walked with the band from backstage to where they went onto the stage. All access. It was awesome.

[@TheProgCorner]

That’s amazing!!!!!!

[@robertwiles8106]

@@TheProgCorner It was awesome. But my buddy is like super best friends with Mick. Fleetwood Mac actually take a "rest" day whenever their tour comes to DC just so that Mick and my friend can hang out together. My friend was at Mick's house in Maui last year the week before the fire. I almost got to go into Stevie's dressing room before the show with Mick's daughters (who were 11 at the time) but she hadn't put on her makeup yet so she asked for the daughters only (she's their godmother). The one singular highlight was Mick's wife took a photo of my ticket backstage and then during the show i felt a tug on my arm and it was Mick's wife who took me down "beyond the crowd" and she and i watched most of the show standing right next to the side of the stage (me literally leaning on the rail of the stairs leading to the stage). Amazing night that materialized out of nowhere, my attendance randomly came together two hours before it happened. I have pictures of the whole night from behind the scenes. She invited me to their upcoming shows at 02 in London if I wanted to go but i couldn't afford the trip. OH YEAH --> i was so far "in" the inner sanctum that i witnessed their lack of trust and skittishness and freaked outed ness at OTHER people, who were also "in" by any measure, but definitely OUTSIDE of the level of in-ness where I was, which was actually at the family level. They were not very nice toward the more outer people, viewed them as users and hangers on, and went thru the motions of being cheery hosts when necessary but actually viewed it as very much a necessary evil chore of the being of who they are. I was so far in that my buddy called Mick michael (he wasn't mick yet, nor did he play drums yet, when the two met). So i called him Michael too. Only 3 people call Mick michael. My buddy, Eric Clapton and now me.

[@TheProgCorner]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@robertwiles8106]

I noticed that Mick's wife was really eyeing the carrot cake backstage so I went and got a piece and 2 forks and she and i shared it. That really broke the ice. Each band member had THEIR OWN entire backstage area. Dressing room, catering, etc. I was mostly in Mick's area. Security gave me a little hassle when I first got there, but Mick's wife flashed some kind of prism "object" and said "He's with ME". From that moment on i went anywhere i wanted to go in the whole backstage operation and never saw or came near another security person. Illuminati level access. Like i said, my buddy and i actually walked onto the stage and took pictures of each other among the instruments, about 10 minutes before the band went on.

[@patbarr1351]

@@robertwiles8106 "Mick's wife flashed some kind of prism 'object'" No doubt it was that thing from the Led Zeppelin *Presence* album cover! (Dark rock magic 😎)

[@markpayne6436]

Hahahaha...!!! That ending was hilarious!!! I just kinda stumbled across this video. I haven't met a whole lot of celebrities, but I have to say that the ones I have met have all been very nice. Here's my top 3: Top of the nice list is Shania Twain. During her "Up" tour, my then 12 yr old daughter won a contest to appear on stage with her at a show in Toronto. My daughter was to arrive at the venue early, which she did, and spent the entire day with Shania and the band at rehersals and everything. Shania was so kind and just incredible with my daughter. She was absolutely lovely. Second place is Alice Cooper's guitarist Nita Strauss. I have met her now a bunch of times. Again, super gracious and always remembers me. Lastly, I ran into Michael Sweet of Stryper at Buffalo airport. He stopped and chatted and filled in the gaps at the beginning of our conversation when I was a bit star-struck! Lol!

[@TheProgCorner]

Nita Strauss???? Oh wow, I love her!!!! Glad to hear she’s a cool person. ❤️❤️👍👍

[@jeffschielka7845]

Hey Scot! Cool episode. Will share a few stories of meeting members of YES. Are you surprised? Didn’t think so. Steve was very cold, barely got a hello. Alan was very cool. I have a picture of him signing a drum head for me. A very nice and personable man. I met Jon at a meet and greet for a radio station before a show in Detroit. It was at a bar next to the Fox Theater. I was decked out all in white, long hair like Jon. I was wearing my gold necklace with my gold(24K) YES logo. I got so many compliments and Jon loved the necklace and logo. It's one of a kind and my prized possession. It was a cool meeting that i wished it would of lasted longer. Probably the coolest meeting was one of the times i met with Chris after a show. He loved cigars, so i alway brought some to the shows. Chris was a party animal. I have pictures of his limousine outside the venue. We had a room at the hotel across the street. We asked Chris if he wanted to catch a buzz? He said sure! His wife stayed in the limo and i have a picture of Chris smoking a bowl of hash. Unbelievable night, great show and partying with Mr Squire! As you know Scot, i miss the boys so much!!!! FOREVER YES❣️❣️❣️ Love and Light❤️🌅👍😎

[@TheProgCorner]

I miss Chris so much!!!! Every band needs a Rock Star. And that was our Chris Squire!!!!

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@TheProgCorner I was tearing up as I wrote my comment. 👍☮️👑🐍🙏😎

[@paulayers1111]

Unfortunate to hear about Jennifer Love Hewitt. She was my childhood crush. I was once within 5 feet of her at the LA marathon but we had no interaction whatsoever

[@TheProgCorner]

I was crushed. I was such a huge fan…

[@seanmurphy26]

Dude, she's known for being a terrible person. There is a howard stern interview from an old ex-boyfriend, late member of boy-band LFO forgot his name. He dropped some dirt on Hewitt in a total underrated interview, and he later died of cancer. It's worth looking up..

[@ceilingfansclocksminecraft1226]

Any of the celebrities on this list may have changed over the years, better or worse, like in the 1990s, it was very common for Elton John to overreact a lot, but I think it happens less nowadays, at least from what I've seen. And he also has a documentary called Tantrums and Tiaras. I haven't watched it all the way through, though. I saw Elton John live almost two years ago, and it was a great concert. Everyone has different experiences with different individuals, though.

[@TheProgCorner]

No doubt!!! I’ve been less than nice a time or two…

[@ceilingfansclocksminecraft1226]

@@TheProgCorner Who hasn't? And thanks for respecting my opinion.

[@smackeye]

Great stories man, very enjoyable 👍

[@TheProgCorner]

Thank you!!!!

[@rickyblackburn-n9e]

This video was delightful. Thanks!

[@TheProgCorner]

You are awesome.

[@fernandoperdomomusic]

Woah dude.. you worked at the Westland Mall in Hialeah? ... dude ready to freak? life changing day was when I bought the Yes years box set at the Specs there on Cassette... that box totally made me a Yes fan .. 30 years later I played with Yes at the Alan White tribute!

[@TheProgCorner]

I lived in Hialeah Gardens/Miami Lakes!!!! Palm Springs North?

[@SteveOSpielberg]

Awesome Jerry Lewis was my late mothers favourite actor. I met The Edge during the Rattle & Hum tour when he was going upstairs over a record shop called The Cladagh Record shop in Temple Bar with his guitar to practice. I also got a spin on Adam Clayton's Harley Davidson.

[@TheProgCorner]

What? That’s amazing.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Congrats on reaching over 12,000 subs buddy! ❤

[@TheProgCorner]

Why thank you sir!!!!!!👍❤️

[@TheOverlordOfProcrastination]

I met Allan Holdsworth in a little pub in Abertillery in Wales, and he was just the most humble and talkative guy, and introduced me to Chad Wakkerman who was with him. I can only say positive things about that experience. He ordered a pint of bitter and Chad had a soft drink and he wouldn’t let me pay 👌🏼

[@TheProgCorner]

Wow!!!! Allan and Chad? Super cool.

[@todddale7041]

It pains me greatly to admit this but in the early 2000’s I went to see Kansas at the Colorado State Fair (Pueblo) and arrived early for the sound check: Steve Walsh completely ignored my request for an autograph BUT Robby Steinhardt more than happy signed for me and I cherish that to this day. Kansas rocks!!! 😊

[@TheProgCorner]

Was Steve still doing coke at that point?

[@todddale7041]

@@TheProgCorner Unfortunately, yes 😢

[@marklockey4434]

Clive Nolan ( Arena, Pendragon ) is a lovely, humble and very friendly man. Met him in my local supermarket ( ! ) and after one of his theatre shows - he bought me a drink.

[@TheProgCorner]

Awesome!!!!!! Drinks are on Clive!!!!

[@mikereiss4216]

I've really mostly only met musicians. I'm not sure I would say any were downright nasty but most were at least somewhat friendly. I won't mention the sourpusses but the friendliest to me were Robby Steinhardt, Alan White, Jon Anderson and Bill Berends from Mastermind. Those stand out to me. Steve Hackett was friendly too but I only spoke to him very briefly for an autograph after a show.

[@TheProgCorner]

I’ve met Alan and Jon. And they were both so amazingly cool and patient and appreciative. Glad to hear Robby was nice. I miss him.

[@philipmorrissey9142]

Some people have never been told 'no' in their careers and it shows.

[@TheProgCorner]

I think that explains a lot of it.

[@PeedyJ]

I worked for a utility company in Nashville. We worked in Vince Gill’s backyard. He was down to earth & gave all 4 of us autographed pics….My wife took mine away from me.

[@TheProgCorner]

Vince Gill??? That’s awesome. Love him. Good to hear he’s a cool dude.

[@georgewilliams4258]

Met Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman years ago and both were incredibly nice and we talked for about a half hour 😊

[@TheProgCorner]

Very cool!!!!!

[@JojoFryrocks]

Hilarious - "don't give the phone to Elton", they knew!! 🤣 Tell you who is super cool, Justin Hawkins, all my encounters with him (there have been a few over the years) have been awesome, he's lovely. Don't know if you know of the British comedian Steve Coogan? Met him once in LA, 20 years ago, he was a jerk.

[@TheProgCorner]

That’s awesome. And I do know Steve Coogan. Too bad he was a knucklehead!

[@JojoFryrocks]

@@TheProgCorner It was probably my fault, to be fair. It was around that time I think he was trying to be seen as 'cool' and shake off the Alan Partridge character, he was dating Courtney Love, I mean the man went to great lengths to try to change his image and I went up to him and said "A-HA!!". I thought he was going to punch me...fun times!

[@brucybabyy7355]

Thanks to an Atlantic AR friend of mine I partied with yes after their 90125 show in Calgary. They were out of control and very cool! By the way have you heard " the fusion syndicate? Cheers.

[@TheProgCorner]

The Fusion Syndicate?

[@brucybabyy7355]

@@TheProgCorner check, em out !

[@ilabelle1]

@@TheProgCorner Another Billy Sherwood project.

[@TonVenhuizen]

I met some (music) celebs but no super known, and they don't remember me for sure. Hasse Froberg from the Flower Kings was a nice one (after a concert of HFMC). Good band too IMHO.

[@TheProgCorner]

I love Hasse!!!!

[@HaZZb97]

I’m shocked about Shaq! Especially given his reputation nowadays. Guess he was just a kid back then, I think he’s learned his lesson now.

[@TheProgCorner]

He was very young…

[@andreichivu7653]

A very nice and warm lad is Brian May (Queen)

[@TheProgCorner]

That makes me happy!!!😃

[@nigelheathcote6084]

I met Keith flint of the prodigy at a race track near me and he was such a sound bloke, this was around 96 will never forget ❤. Keep on keeping on Scott , great stories, love it.

[@TheProgCorner]

That’s pretty cool!!!!😎

[@ilabelle1]

Back in the 90s I had a radio show at the university radio station. I interviewed mostly local musicians but I did get a chance to interview Exene Cervenka from the band X. We talked slam poetry, she was a great interview. Very friendly and animated. I’ve met a few other “stars” outside of radio. A fun person I met was Adrian Belew when he was touring with the Bears. We talked about his roast beef dinner. He was actually hilarious and very down to earth. A nice guy. I also met Dweezil Zappa but he was a little off standish and not that open, maybe a bad night? Another I met was Sebastian Bach at a party in Toronto. I was not impressed. He was drunk and a complete idiot. I also met Dan Hill, I’m not a fan but he was a really nice guy. I’ve also seen a few stars but didn’t talk with them. I saw Lou Reed walking down Yonge St in Toronto. He was quite striking, wearing a full length leather coat and looking..well, looking like Lou Reed. I’ve also met a couple of fairly well known actors having worked with Vancouver Theater Sports. Ryan Stiles was the best. A friendly super funny person. Off the top of my head those are the most memorable.

[@TheProgCorner]

I LOVE X!!!!!!!❤️❤️❤️

[@ilabelle1]

@@TheProgCorner Yeah, me too. John Doe was supposed to be there as well but he didn’t make it.

[@williamfarr8807]

One time I was at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and John Cage walked up to me and asked me for directions to the theater (where he was scheduled to give a talk). That is my brush with greatness.

[@TheProgCorner]

Q: Excuse me, sir. How do you get to Carnegie Hall? A: Practice, practice, practice.

[@scottgillham2000]

Fortunately, the celebrities I've met have all been very nice - Steve Hackett, Mike Rutherford, the members of Renaissance (there's a story!), Roger Fisher, Eddie Bracken (who?), even Bill Cosby was nice! I'm forgetting someone...

[@TheProgCorner]

I bet you have stories…

[@scottgillham2000]

@@TheProgCorner Actually, my brother had more stories than me!

[@scottgillham2000]

@@TheProgCorner How could I forget?? I met the members of Flower Kings a couple times, all very nice! (I must be getting old...)

[@gorancabrajic3240]

Great episode. Cheers and prog on.

[@TheProgCorner]

Thank you!!!!!!!!

[@jeniferallan6693]

Fantastic memories..Good and bad! I want more! 😊

[@TheProgCorner]

I’m planning a Part Two already…

[@CharlieBramald]

The celeb I most wanna meet is Scot Lade.

[@TheProgCorner]

That’s so sweet!!!!🥹

[@CharlieBramald]

@@TheProgCorner it's gonna happen bro!!!

[@TheProgCorner]

The UK doesn’t want me!!!! I’m a scary criminal!!!!

[@CharlieBramald]

@@TheProgCorner GET OVER HERE OR I'M GOING OVER THERE

[@jasperburchfield2028]

I had no idea so many celebrities hung out at Footlocker.

[@TheProgCorner]

Everyone wanted Air Jordans.

[@WhizzRichardThompson]

I've only ever met Lemmy (on several occasions) and he was diamond geezer. A real cool guy. 👍

[@TheProgCorner]

Wow!!!!🤩

[@DabsDad]

Didn't know you lived in SFL. Did you work at a record store down here? Uncle Sam's? We met Michael Jordon in Coconut Grove in in 1992 when the Bulls were in town playing the Heat. He and Scottie Pippen walked out of the hotel right past everyone. They stopped quickly and shook some hands. We also met Henry Rollins on Collins Ave before his show at the Cameo in 1992 right after we bought some thai stick ha ha. He is a solid guy and actually talked and listened. Super cool guy.

[@TheProgCorner]

I worked for Record Bar from 1980-1988. In Fort Myers, Ft. Pierce, Melbourne, Hollywood, Key West and finally all the Miami stores: Dadeland, Aventura, Westland, 163rd St Mall, Miami International Mall, South Beach, Coconut Grove, etc.

[@j.m.5300]

My brothers band opened for Black Flag in South Carolina. I remember their load in music was Black Sabbath Heaven and Hell. I was only 16 and slightly intimidated by Rollins. But he was cool. A few years later I was at that BF gig at the Cameo.

[@aminahmed2220]

Absolutely fantastic and also have a great day Scot ❤😊

[@michaelbaucom4019]

There's an old adage (paraphrase): it is better to not meet your heroes/idols...

[@TheProgCorner]

Absolutely!!!!

[@gringo3002]

I'd add to that, don't contact them by e-mail, their message boards, etc.

[@JohnJohnson-du7vc]

As a hotel clerk I met a few. I try to forgive the "bad experiences" because of so many potential variables: but I'm fairly confident The Squirrel Nut Zippers (who?) were being jerks. Also perceived as jerk-like: Emmylou Harris & Arlo Guthrie. Maybe bad days for them. Great experiences: George Clinton & John Kay (of Steppenwolf). He repeatedly introduced himself as "John Kay of Steppenwolf" 😂

[@TheProgCorner]

John Kay of Steppenwolf. Adorable.

[@bryandraughn9830]

I worked as an electrician for Clear channel at the west palm beach amphitheatre for 2 summer concert series. All access to every show but I didn't abuse it. Met lots of my heroes and fortunately didn't have a single bad experience. Tom Petty was especially cool.

[@TheProgCorner]

That’s really cool.

[@Alanb_69]

A few I have met. Most of them were very nice. I only met a few celebrity douchebags and I will not mention them. I met Alan White (Yes), Danny Seraphine (Chicago) and Gregg Bissonette (DLR band and many many others) at NAMM one year. They were all very nice and took time to talk to us. Being a drummer it was nice to meet 3 drummers I grew up listening to and knowing they were nice guys also. I met Eddie Van Halen and Alice Cooper at the Bob Hope celebrity golf tournament in the 90s. They took pics with me and were very nice, but it was brief. I was working at a dinner event in Ireland (I lived there for a couple of years) for a group called the Elders. It was a group of world leaders started by Billionaire Richard Branson and Peter Gabriel that was supposed to solve world problems or something like that. My boss was friends with Mr. Branson and he knew I was a huge Peter Gabriel fan and introduced me. He was very nice and I got to talk to him about 5 minutes and get a picture. I once worked as a caterer at an event in Miami and met J-Lo. I thought she might be stand offish but she was very nice to us. I sat next to Marie Osmond on a Delta Airlines flight back in the 90s. She was a real sweetheart and very kind. I used to live in Americus, Georgia years ago. It is about 15 miles from Plains, Georgia and would see former President Carter and Mrs. Carter in town all the time. I was their waiter at a local restaurant there a few times and also worked at Lowes when President Carter came in to buy some lumber and tools. He was very nice but a cheap tipper.

[@TheProgCorner]

I met EVH too - backstage. He was extremely nice to me.

[@747jono]

I thought Elton would have bought flowers 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂.

[@TheProgCorner]

🌺 🌸

[@RobertsOnMyTurntable]

That's so awesome that you met all these people. You are a cool dude, aren't you? 😊

[@TheProgCorner]

Once upon a time I was…

[@Prognosis__]

Love the Neal Morse tee shirt Scot 👍

[@TheProgCorner]

Neal is the man!!!!

[@markspooner1224]

Terrific Jerry Lewis story, that is one of the best I've heard!

[@TheProgCorner]

He was manic. It was absolutely wild seeing him running around my store in a Foot Locker uniform. And the people that recognized him were VERY confused!!!!! It was amazing.

[@muziktrkr]

There are also stories of Jerry being really nasty. Glad you got him on a good day what you’d expect “being Jerry”to be. A lot of Elton interactions tend to range from lavish spender (one of his many addictions by his own admission) and sweet, to being a total moody bratty chubby diva. He has kids now so hopefully he’s setting a better example to his sons. JLH sounded like the run of the mill neurotic actress. Have you ever had to open the store just to have a celeb shop around because they wanted complete privacy?

[@derekroberts6654]

I’m looking at Snoop Dog nowadays and I’m thinking 🤔 “if they ever made a Chuck Berry biopic….”

[@TheProgCorner]

Why not??!!

[@ryanjacobson2508]

Chuck was caught secretly videotaping (numerous) women in bathrooms. He was a degenerate.

[@manster1714]

Yo are a trip Scott. You have that it factor my man.

[@TheProgCorner]

I should have started a KZbin channel a long time ago!!! Thank you for your kind words. I’m used to hearing how I’m too loud or just plain too much in general. You get it!!!! 👍👍👍🥰🥰🥰

[@AllMediaReviewsPodcast]

Miami is a hotbed for Celebrities and Athletes. Michael Jordan? did Tiger Woods ever come in to your store? I can only claim Prince and Woody Harrelson in recent years. I did work at Sam Goody at the Mall of America the Summer of 1993. And we had both Peter Paul and Mary and Kiss come in for signings. I actually have a pic I need to scan/capture and share, lol. I just remember Gene Simmons walking in the store and basically trying to tell everyone what to do. He was demanding of us having certain formats and things.

[@TheProgCorner]

Never met Tiger. Or Prince!!!!!

[@bmardon2112]

Dave Wynforf is absolutely amazing, it was his idea to give us a hug when we said we we're gonna head out. Cool dude, amazing. CJ Ramone also an amazing guy

[@tomrobinson5776]

Very entertaining episode!😆

[@TheProgCorner]

Thank you!!! I thought it was fun.

[@Highrollinhunter]

The only celebrities ive met are Nascar drivers and independent pro wrestlers who passed by Massachusetts and they were nice to me and just all around cool.

[@TheProgCorner]

NASCAR drivers are definitely celebrities.

[@barrypeirson3710]

Jennifer Love Hewitt especially at that time probably said "Get away from me to 80-90% of men. Lol Doesnt make it right..but ... Dan Marino!

[@TheReaperMan275]

You have led a very interesting life, Scot. Perhaps you should write your memoir. I'm sure there would be all kinds of amazing stories and anecdotes.🤟

[@TheProgCorner]

A good idea!!!

[@davidcarson3842]

I have read many times that Jerry Lewis was actually a big jerk!

[@TheProgCorner]

I have heard that too!!!! He came across as manic so I bet if you caught him on the wrong day… Luckily I caught him in a good day!!!! He was awesome and super nice to me.

[@wizardofoz6811]

Love Jerry Lewis!! What a story!

[@TheProgCorner]

What a great memory!!!

[@phillipburton8055]

Maybe Jenny love had just been dumped by John ( if it’s got a heart beat I’ll screw it) Mayer!!

First time viewer. Did the hair come with the hat? Where can I get one? Asking for a friend.

[@TheProgCorner]

It’s real hair!!! I swear!!!!

@@TheProgCorner You're a lucky man!

[@joemartucci4786]

I've fortunately had mostly good encounters with musicians. I've opened for a lot of big bands. My great list... believe it or not Kiss.. opened for them in 2010 band & crew were stellar, Viv Campbell & Jimmy Bain, Geoff Tate.. opened for Queensryche 2011, Frankie Banali Chuck Wright etc....the coolest was Geoff Emmerick...class act all the way!!!!

[@Mills25]

Dan Marino unfortunately is a well-known DB. I had a nasty experience with him too once. I was 15 and a Fins superfan (this was before the 86 AFC game) and wasn't ready for how much of a jerk he was to a young fan who just wanted an autograph. On the other hand, I'd almost take a bullet for Henry Winkler!

[@TheProgCorner]

Heeeeeeeeeeyyyyy….

[@j.m.5300]

Dadeland Mall. Used to go with my mom. Mid 70s.

[@TheProgCorner]

👍👍👍

[@j.m.5300]

@@TheProgCorner did you ever go to concerts at the Hollywood Sportatorium?

[@Awaywrdson]

I always thought they blamed Bobbie Brown too much for what happened to Houston , you can't make someone do drugs they do it cause they want too. And you're right, Jerry Lewis was Excellent on Wiseguy !! 👍👍

[@TheProgCorner]

👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️

[@jasonshort1437]

Interesting stories. Without a doubt, THE nicest 'stars' I ever met were Joe Strummer and John McLaughlin. Weirdest one I ever met was Alex Chilton. Lou Reed was definitely the most intense.

[@TheProgCorner]

Alex Chilton? Weird? Yeah, I could have guessed!!!!

[@MisterWondrous]

Envious of MJ and Jerry. Two heroes. During the latter quarter of the last century, and mostly in the '80s, I was cloistered away, educating myself with the help of teachers, talks, seminars, concerts and such, in Boston and Cambridge, where every eventually makes an appearance. I had varying degrees of darshan or meeting with the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, Chogyam Trungpa, Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, Timothy Leary with whom I spoke, Noam Chomsky, Ray Kurzweil, Robert Moog, Carl Sagan, Ram Dass, Allen Ginsberg with whom I spoke, Yehudi Menuhin, Buckminster Fuller who spoke for hours, Betty Friedan, roundtable w/Edward Said, Sarah Caldwell, Edward O. Wilson, Ashley Montagu with whom I corresponded by letter, R.D. Laing, Luciano Berio, Alberto Ginastera, Philip Glass and Steve Reich both of whom I spoke with, Robert Reich, Morton Subotnick, Pauline Oliveros, Frank Zappa with whom I conversed in German, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, John Ashbery, Amiri Baraka, Ali Akbar Khan, Richard Schultes, Leonard Bernstein, James Taylor, Joan Baez, Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Keith Emerson, Greg Lake, John Dean, and spent an afternoon with Joseph Campbell at Harvard and Anthony Burgess at the Ritz in Boston. This century I do most everything virtually, save painting, piano and book reading. I should get out more.

[@TheProgCorner]

Holy cow!!!!

[@MisterWondrous]

@@TheProgCorner Holiness was indeed a throughline, I think now in retrospect. I'm finally living the monkish life I knew I was meant for. Internet helps with being social and singular at the same time. Most folks were good and kind, but avant-gardist, David Moss was a bit of an asshole the second time I spoke with him...at a less hallowed venue down south. Can't wait to hear more about some of those things you hinted at. And let's get you to 100+! Heal Chucky!...who, as prince, spoke at my commencement, now that I think about it. He called it "an exquisite torture". Love the man.

[@kenl2091]

I haven't quite had the same interactions with celebs as you have but I can praise Rosalie Cunningham, Steve Rothery, Geoff Richardson and Caravan, Spock's Beard (twice) Neal Morse and The Unthanks for their down-to-earthness. Not such a good interaction with Steve Howe (surprise!) but that's about it. I've never paid for a meet and greet as anyone charging silly money for that doesn't deserve the adulation when some fairly big stars interact with fans for nothing. I just hope that they get the respect from everyone for that.

[@TheProgCorner]

I’ve met Steve Howe twice and he was really nice to me…

[@kenl2091]

@@TheProgCorner Yeah, good days, bad days I suppose. Another time I did get a faint smile from him with a (positive hopefully amusing) heckle when I was front row in a small venue.

[@seanbelcher4486]

Love your channell but you remind me of Frank Gallagher off Shameless. No disrespect

[@TheProgCorner]

I’m a big William H Macy fan so it’s cool.

[@stanferraro4130]

Funny memories...."Bobby Brown Goes Down"-F. Zappa

[@TheProgCorner]

👍👍👍

[@TigerMtnKing]

How cool to meet The Nutty Professor!🤩

[@TheProgCorner]

He was AWESOME!!!!!!

[@georgemathie8123]

I'm a retail worker grocery retail by the ways 18 years for a Canadian grocery chain so thanks for your stories and isn't the service industry insane but thanks for your stories greetings and salutations ☺️

[@TheProgCorner]

I hate it. I love it!!!!!

[@georgemathie8123]

@@TheProgCorner you got that right just got off a 7 day run so I'm Canadian by the ways and our Thanksgiving is on Monday we're a month ahead of you on that and it's on Monday the 14th and holiday shoppers omg if you have any good stories about holiday shoppers please share Scott I'll totally relate ☺️