Have you met any well know prog musicians?

It's not spectacular but here we go:

I have told this story befor but here it is again:

I was at a Peter Hammill concert at the Krebelshof, a small venue in Worringen, a suburb of Cologne, in the late 80s or early 90s, most probably 1989 (I still had my hair back then; it started falling out in 1993). The concert was originally scheduled for the afternoon but was postponed a few hours. I did not know about the postponement and was hours too early. Since I was there by public transport and the bus went only once an hour on weekends I decided to stay and have a beer.

While I sat there sipping my beer Peter Hammill came out, sat at a table next to me and had a beer too. I decided to talk to him, but not like a fan talks to his star, just like any person to another person. We talked a while, and then he suggested we should go for a walk. We slowly walked the Alte Neusser Landstraße, which stretches from Southwest to Northeast in a straight line for a few kilometers, and talked about all kinds of things - math, physics, literature, Zen-Buddhism, art, classical music and lots of other stuff. After some kilometers we reached a bridge, where we decided to cross the road and walk back. The walk was over an hour long, maybe even close to two, and it was a most interesting talk. The concert was good (with band), but the memorable thing about it was this long walk.

Edited by BaldFriede - September 25 2017 at 17:52

I've been lucky to have met a few and all the interactions were positive.

1) Robert Fripp: Tower Records Campbell CA, Frippertronics tour, 1979.  A relatively small group of us showed up for the demonstration during which RF created a few Frippertronics loops and took questions.  Afterwards RF made a concession to his usual no autographs/no pictures stance and signed copies of Exposure (someone brought their Chapman Stick and asked him to autograph that and he politely declined) and posed for photos.  I went through the autograph line and got my copy of Exposure signed then realized he was just standing there, so I went back up to the register again and we had a nice chat.

2) Alan Holdsworth:  Manhattan Beach Music, 1985.  I was in LA for a wedding and walked to the closest music store to kill some time.  There was a line outside and I asked what people were waiting for.  They told me Alan Holdsworth was giving a seminar there in a couple hours and the doors opened at 1pm.  I had to leave for the wedding at 1:30 but came back and got in line anyway.  When they opened the doors everyone headed to the corner of the store where a stage had been setup.  I knew I couldn't stay anyway so I walked over to the guitars to check out what they had.  All of the sudden I realized someone was standing next to me also looking at the guitars.  I turn around and it's Alan Holdsworth!  We talked for a few minutes and he was very soft spoken and nice.

3)  Roger Powell:  Guitar Center San Jose, 2008.  It was a weekday lunchtime and I was looking at something in the keyboard room and this guy comes up to me and says he owns one and really likes it.  We talked about it for a few minutes and he shakes my hand and says, "I'm Roger...Roger Powell".  I was quite surprised...looked at him and the first thing I thought to say was, "I saw you on Bowie's Heroes tour in Oakland back in '78".  He was working at Apple at the time which was just a short drive away down Stevens Creek Blvd and on his lunch break.  We hung out and talked gear and Apple for another 20 minutes (I worked there '82 -> '85) then he said he had to get back to work.

4) Pete Trewavas: Santa Clara, 1992.  Marillion was touring "Holidays in Eden" and played this small club called "The Cabaret" which had become a great spot to see big prog names (Hackett played there a year later).  After the show Pete was hanging out with a few of us talking music...I mostly recall someone kept trying to get him to talk smack about Fish but he was having none of it which I thought was very classy.


Edited by The.Crimson.King - September 26 2017 at 08:53

These are both with Prog Folk artists.  I chatted with all the lads while getting their autographs on a CD after a Fairport Convention concert.  Nice group of people, especially Christ Leslie.  Dave Pegg grabbed me at random for a photo taken by another fan.  I have never seen that photo.  Also had a nice chat with a couple of the boys from Tempest (U.S. version).  They were quite likeable as well.  Saw Tony Levin at a Denny's in Sacramento, but he did not look like he felt like talking to anyone new, so I just politely stared as I walked by.

I gave Lady Loreena a kiss on the cheek. I should have attempted the lips, though.

I met Paul Masvidal from Cynic a few years ago in Toronto.  Had emailed him after Kindly Bent to Free Us was released, and he told me to let him know if I can make it to that show.  I was able to hand with Paul for an hour or so and watch Cynic's soundcheck.  Totally unexpected and awesome opportunity!

Before I joined Swiss prog band Flame Dream,
a younger prog jazzrock guitarist from L.A moved to Bath Spa England.
At 19 years old:
Peter Gabriel (at his house in Bath)
Bill Bruford
Robin Lumley
Robert Fripp
Allan Holdsworth (a dear missed friend)
Phil Collins
Steve Hillage (few times)
Gary Moore
Percy Jones
Rod Argent
Jon Hiseman
________
Whilst in Flame Dream:

Nick Magnus (dear friends)
John Acock
Patrick Moraz (many times)
Phil Chen (dear friends)
Fredy Studer (dear friends)
Coco Rousell (Dear friend,French drummer for progrock Happy the Man.I was in a working band with.)
Alan White (many times at NAMM plus more musicians.)
Steve Hackett
Sparks
Chad Wakerman
JoJo Mayer
Bill Ward (used to play with him)
Gary Husband
Jeff Berlin
Banco
John McLaughlin
Jean Ristori
and happily possibly more.




Edited by DaleHauskins - September 25 2017 at 23:16

I spoke to Carl Palmer a bit on Cruise to the Edge.
Honestly can't remember what about, though.  But he seemed pretty cool and down to earth.

.......surely a member of the industry can't be a total c**t.........

Met Bill Bruford at a jazz club about 7 years ago. We talked about drumming and his autobigraphy. Nice chap.

Met Anthony Phillips and John Mayhew at a Genesis convention.