Prog Pals
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Music Lounge
Forum Description: General progressive music discussions
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69704
Printed Date: August 14 2025 at 07:39
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Topic: Prog Pals
Posted By: cannon
Subject: Prog Pals
Date Posted: July 28 2010 at 22:12
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I was wondering if any fellow members on the site are friends or family with any prog. artists? Have you ever had a conversation with a musician of a recognizable band? |
Replies:
Posted By: NecronCommander
Date Posted: July 28 2010 at 22:27
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I had a conversation with Paul Masvidal of Cynic after their show. We talked for a good while about prog, and then he signed my copy of Traced in Air! Also, in two weeks, I'm getting a guitar lesson from Tosin Abasi from Animals as Leaders the day they play in our town. O_O -------------  
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Posted By: Adams Bolero
Date Posted: July 28 2010 at 22:34
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My tutor once met Peter Hammill in a train when he was coming home from a Gong gig in the 70s. He said Peter was very stoned so they didn't talk much. ------------- ''Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal.'' - Albert Camus |
Posted By: Jörgemeister
Date Posted: July 28 2010 at 22:42
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i was personal friend with zappa. rest in peace. ------------- |
Posted By: chefrobb
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 01:03
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Met all of Genesis in 72 when they played the Roxy....Collins was working the ticket counter, and they were in and out all day long. Met Barclay James Harvest for a couple of nites when the played the Troubador in around 76 or so....really fun and funny guys. Met Hammill in 76 and again a couple of years ago....along with Paul Whithead, who was staying with us for the Hammill gig in Phx. Paul was the artist in resedence for Charisma in the early 70's and as such, was responible for the covers of some of our favorie albums...Nursery Cryme, Foxtrot, Pawn Hearts, H to He, Chameleon in the Shadow of the Night, and more recently, Shaun Guerin (RIP). Met Gabriel solo in San Diego on his second solo tour. Back in the day, it was actually not all that difficult to meet your favorite artists....just don't be a jackass, and everything is cool....not like nowadays, eh? ------------- chefrobb |
Posted By: AbrahamSapien
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 01:08
Well since my homecountry is very small I have connections within all of our important prog acts.
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 01:45
| I met Davy O'List once (ex Nice and Roxy Music). Lovely man but a little spaced out. He had nothing but praise for Keith Emerson which pleased me no end (he claimed he was offered a permanent spot in Roxy Music but turned them down because none of them was as talented as Emerson!) |
Posted By: scatterplot1
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 01:59
| I don't know if either counts as prog: conversed with Pat Metheny in 1989(when he had Pedro Aznar back, a fine time!), and John Kay of Steppenwolf in 1988. Both very nice guys and eager to talk with fans. Talked with psychedelic Iron Butterfly's reunion band circa 1997, Doug Ingle(keyboards/vocals) very intelligent and personable, Ron Bushy(drums) easy going family man type, Lee Dorman(Bass) hard to talk to, very intollerrant of conversation. Funny was I spent most of my time with him. He was just kind of a jerk. But he talked....just in a rude tone, after 2 beers he was not so bad, but as Ingle left, that band is dead. |
Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 02:52
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I had contacts only with non-prog artists: Alberto Radius (Formula 3), the bluesman Roberto Ciotti, the jazz orchestra director Gorni Beltrame (RIP). I have played at least one jam session with them. I've been ontroduced by a friend to Cristiana Polegri of Fluido Rosa, a Pink Floyd tribute band featuring the drummer Derek Wilson (who played for Keith Emerson, Vangelis, Billy Preston and Andreas Vollenweider). http://www.myspace.com/fluidorosaband - http://www.myspace.com/fluidorosaband They have some own material but even if on stage for more than 15 years, I don't think they have published anything yet. Their medley of Echoes and Atom Heart Mother is fantastic. I'm used to go at their gigs each time they are close enough to my home. ------------- I stand with Roger Waters, I stand with Joan Baez, I stand with Victor Jara, I stand with Woody Guthrie. Music is revolution |
Posted By: ProgressiveAttic
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 02:56
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I interviewed Jordan Rudess, Wobbler's Lars Froislie and Andreas Prestmo and Phillip Scher from Sibelius for my radio show (you can listen to the interviews @ deliciousagony.com)... all very nice people!
other than that I know Luis Valbuena from Pig Farm on the Moon (he used to be my little brother's guitar teacher) and I am having some conversations with the Glass Hammer people about doing something interesting on the show..... ------------- Michael's Sonic Kaleidoscope Mondays 5:00pm EST(re-runs Thursdays 3:00pm) @ Delicious Agony Progressive Rock Radio(http://www.deliciousagony.com) 
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Posted By: Fieldofsorrow
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 04:24
 Jealous on both accounts! Have a great lesson with Tosin - the man is incredible! ------------- Groovy teenage rock with mild prog tendencies: http://www.myspace.com/omniabsenceband |
NecronCommander wrote:Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 04:48
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I've chatted briefly to Anthony Phillips and John Mayhew at a Genesis convention, and also to Bill Bruford one night at a jazz club where he was doing a book singing.
As for family connections, well not really, although an ex girlfriwend, and life long friend of mine has connections to Hawkwind. Her father was a sci-fi magazine editor in the 60's, and still is friends with Mike Moorcock, and used to hang out with the band every now and then. ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 05:23
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Spoke with some Spock's Beard. Ryo for one.......great guy. Also I shook hands with Geoff Downes. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 06:15
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Have had contact with many prog artists via facebook or private message here at the PA. They are always so generous and polite; great people. Had conversations with lead singer of Mortification too, Steve Rowe. Not exactly prog but extreme Chrsitian metal - one of the best too. ------------- 
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Posted By: EdgarKarg
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 06:37
| i just asked Milla Kapolke of Grobschnitt what effect pedal he used in his solo after the show whilst everyone else was asking for a sig^^. Then we had a little talk for 10 minuets... but nothing special. |
Posted By: topographicbroadways
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 06:51
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the keyboardist from my band's parents know Hawkwind and we are playing at the Hawkwind festival in the isle of wight later this month -------------  
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Posted By: paganinio
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 06:55
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easter egg: If you get drunk you might think this thread was about me. You see: Prog Pals -> Pal Progs -> Palgs -> Paganinio.
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Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 08:02
Excellent stuff! I hope it goes really well..  ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: topographicbroadways
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 08:07
thanks. and so do i  -------------
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Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 08:33
 whats the name of your band? any links to music?-------------
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Posted By: caretaker
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 08:35
| I was touched by greatness when I spoke briefly with Bill Bruford when UK played here in 1978 at the old Kingfish club in Baton Rouge. He was very nice and it was one the best shows I've ever seen. |
Posted By: TODDLER
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 09:13
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I had the guts to approach Bob Johnson from Steeleye Span ....on his hurry out the door of a fancy venue. Like a fool..I said "Hi Mr. Johnson", I then asked if he knew why it had been such a long stretch of time for the long awaited "Rock Cottage" to be released on cd. He said "Oh it's not available is it?" "Well then I guess it didn't sell very well...now did it?"
Gay Woods came fast walking out of the door to enter the bus. She wore a black cape over an old fashion dress. She was not friendly to anyone. She had very mysterious eyes. All the Steeleye Span fans were crowded together on the Philadelphia sidewalk. The band was entering a bus that had a beautiful landscape painting. It covered most of the bus and on both sides. Maddy Prior stayed with the crowd signing cd's and answering questions. There was a guy dressed in a jean jacket covered with buttons. He told Maddy...."We love you here in Philadelphia Maddy"! Everybody respects you and we love you very much.......Maddy responded like this....."Well if you love us so much, then why do you not play our music on your radio stations"? Maddy kept glancing into my eyes. She cut this guy off and asked me...."Is there something you wanted to ask me"? So I asked her about the INCANTATIONS project with Mike Oldfield. She responded...."I was asked by Mike to record on the project" She said that she enjoyed the project and the tour. As I talked with Maddy, Peter Knight entered the bus. Peter Knight played Classical that night. He was beyond amazing! They had this 23 year old drummer who just had us on the edge of our seats. He reminded me of another young drummer that toured with Steve Hackett in 2002. |
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 10:49
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Twice, once in 2002, and once in 2009, i had conversations with Eddy Marron, the great guitarist who played with, among others, Dzyan, Giger,Lenz,and Marron, Vita Nova, and Missus Beastly he was polite and straightforward |
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 10:51
P. S. my conversations were by telephone
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Posted By: topographicbroadways
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 10:57
the band is called Welcome To The Machine and we have some excerpts of one of our tracks on myspace http://www.myspace.com/wttmclassicprog70srock -------------
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Posted By: Amnesic Ostrich
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 14:48
| I made the first Beardfish tab out there (the only.. so far) and Rikard Sjöblom liked it a lot! We've even exchanged multiple forum posts. Wow wow wow! |
Posted By: Amnesic Ostrich
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 14:51
Very interesting, listening to it now. Liking this a lot, exceeded my expectations so far! |
Posted By: ergaster
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 14:53
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I met Peter Hammill more than once. This was back in the Pleasure Dome VdGG days; I recall him as really a rather nice bloke, smart and friendly but very attached to the tequila bottle. He was happy to share it, though..... I couldn't say that I was friends with anyone much known today though. (Does the band Moxie count? I worked with Earl Johnson for several years....) Met rather a few. |
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 15:18
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Posted By: ergaster
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 15:22
Seriously? That's awesome! The funny thing too is as well as I knew Earl, I think I only saw him play once! But i knew him in the early 80s. Not sure what Moxy was doing then. |
Posted By: Rune2000
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 15:25
I second that |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 15:25
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I am a shy and reserved person who lacks the courage to talk to people, however back in the 70s I did chat to Francis Lickerish and Stephen Stewart of The Enid at the bar after one of their gigs and I swaped the odd email with Franicis a few years back when he contacted me about a painting I'd done. At a completely unrelated event a couple of years ago (actually a Focus gig where I chatted with Pierre van der Linden for a short time) I met Nick May of Whimwise who was also guitarist with the Enid for a while in the 80s - at the time he thought I was Clive Nolan of Pendragon (an honest mistake) - he's a really nice guy and later actually recognised me (as me this time) when the band I had once managed supported Threshold at the Summer's End festival in 2008. That's about it really - as I said, far too reserved to approach people most of the time.
I could add that I once had breakfast with two of the Medieval Baebes, but the reality was we shared a table at a food stall during the Glastonbury Festival in 1998  ------------- What? |
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 15:39
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Posted By: berger_king
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 16:21
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Hmm... met Adrian Belew some years back at a free show in Philly. Excellent guy. My friend Pat made him sign a copy of 'Beat' which I found hilarious. Pat incidentally is in a band called The Tea Club. Also, Pat's uncle (?) I believe was the singer for the 50's pop group Danny and the Juniors, and Dan his brother is named after him. At least, I think so... haha Not really prog but know a friend who knows a guy that knows Jeremy Enigk... tipped us off on the Sunny Day reunion about a year before it happened. Lastly, I wish I knew Tony Levin.
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Posted By: Evolver
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 17:09
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I have met a large number of musicians listed here, mostly because of my work as the manager of a record/CD store in the 80's & 90's, and some work with jazz festivals from time to time. But as for actual friends....
One member of Cul De Sac worked for me for a few years. Another, also an extremely good Boston music journalist (called "clueless & slightly slack" by Robert Fripp in one of the KC boxed set booklets) was a guest at my wedding, and I at his (I also once played in a band with him). And one of the members of recently added Darediablo is a customer of the company I work for.
Other than that, they were just acquaintances.
And I have met Tony Levin.  ------------- Trust me. I know what I'm doing. |
Posted By: Progatron
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 17:59
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I've met and spoken with: - Ian Anderson (outside Massey Hall in Toronto, he was on his way to soundcheck - and was late! - but graciously stayed for a photo and signed my "A" cd... I told him I loved the album, and that nobody ever seems to talk about it. He said, "Don't they?" haha) - Steve Hackett (and his brother John) in Hamilton, Ontario... both were exhausted after their excellent acoustic gig but stayed to meet every last fan in line. A thrill for me to chat with him, and to shake the hand that played "Firth Of Fifth". - Peter Hammill - last year in Hamilton, Ontario while we were heading for dinner before the VDGG show. He was on his way to his hotel and I said "Pssst! Peter!". He came over, hand outstretched for a surprisingly strong handshake. Another thrill for me. I try not to be starstruck, these are just other human beings, but I was in a haze for a few minutes after meeting him. A big moment. - Steve Hogarth, Steve Rothery, Pete Trewavas - at the Los Trios Marillos show at the Mod Club in Toronto. H wouldn't give me back my pen at first, thinking it belonged to someone else! :D After that was sorted out, the guy behind me asked him to sign his credit card! H wouldn't do it... - Steve Hogarth, Steve Rothery, Pete Trewavas, Ian Mosley, Mark Kelly - several times over the course of Marillion Weekend 2009 in Montreal. Absolute awesomesauce. - brief encounters (nothing more than quick autographs and thanks) with Steven Wilson and Mikael Akerfeldt, both in Toronto, and a hello and wave to Guy Evans (on the same day as Hammill). Saw Jordan Rudess in Toronto, out for a stroll, but we decided not to bother him that day. ...but one of my most prized treasures is my postcard from Neil Peart from 1992, when I sent fan mail to him via Modern Drummer. ------------- Genesis/Yes/Rush/Marillion/VDGG&PH/The Flower Kings/Zappa/Änglagård/Wobbler/PFM/Banco/Le Orme/Jethro Tull/Spock's Beard/Transatlantic/Ayreon/Beardfish/IQ/Dream Theater/Opeth/P.Tree/Arena/Camel/Kaipa! |
Posted By: Crawlution
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 19:41
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A co-worker of mine who is more into metal but also appreciates the nuances and complex (and shifting) arrangements of prog (just turned him on to Alcest and in return he has provided me with a good sampling of Iron Madien which I have been a little negligent on discovering) used to write articles for a metal mag. in the early 90's and has had (and continues) some correspondence with Dan Swano............which I think is pretty awesome considering the relative geographical void we both currently live in (SW VA) - - Carpe Diem………….control your own destiny!!!! |
Posted By: Zombywoof
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 23:03
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I didn't talk with him, but Zappa Plays Zappa drummer, Joe Travers walked right passed me in line to see ZPZ. I don't know if that counts, though. ------------- Continue the prog discussion here: http://zombyprog.proboards.com/index.cgi ... |
Posted By: Falx
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 23:38
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I once hung out with Dave Brock and the rest of Hawkwind backstage while they were sharing a joint before the concert started (I declined).
------------- "You must go beyond the limit of the limit of your limits!" - Mr. Doctor "It is our duty as men and women to proceed as though the limits of our abilities do not exist." - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin |
Posted By: Triceratopsoil
Date Posted: July 29 2010 at 23:41
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I shook hands with the guys from Scale the Summit and Bigelf on PN '09 but that doesn't count either (Bigelf's drummer said he likes my shirt) |
Posted By: Henry Plainview
Date Posted: July 30 2010 at 00:40
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I had sex with John Zorn. But I was the pitcher so it wasn't too gay. ------------- if you own a sodastream i hate you |
Posted By: Jörgemeister
Date Posted: July 30 2010 at 05:17
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I interviewed epignosis once trough PA PMs also, once he posted in a thread and i replied and i believe he replied back some post after ------------- |
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: July 30 2010 at 10:00
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do not know if this counts, but in the fall of (I think)1989, in downtown Ottawa, Canada, i saw guitarist Steve Bolton at a bus stop, known for his music in Atomic Rooster and Headstone, among others i was in a hurry to get somewhere, so i couldn't stop and introduce myself, though |
Posted By: Devonsidhe
Date Posted: July 30 2010 at 14:01
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Like most people, I tried to be in a band after high school with mostly high school friends. Was not good enough to get out of town but our bass player did. He ended up writing a few songs with Dave Brock of Hawkwind when he was living in England and the band recorded them (in the 80s). Through that old high school buddy, I have met all of the classic Hawkwind members except for Robert Calvert (R.I.P.) and Dave along with Dieter of Tangerine Dream, Damo of Can and Ralph of Kraftwork among many others who are not as well known. Plus some local bands like Dahlia (was an extra in their music video), King Black Acid, Storm Large, Upside Down and Helios Sequence. ------------- Even a man who stumbles around in the dark will influence those he does not see. |
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: July 30 2010 at 16:23
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HI,
Photographed Gong several times and spent a lot of time with them.
Was one of the "house" photographers in the SF Progressive Music Festival in 1999. Met pretty much everyone in there. The nicest people were Lana Lane and the Rocket Scientists. The most recluse and difficult to reach were Porcupine Tree, and Steven did not want pictures taken and I did not take any ... although one could see Richard was busy spending hours behind the stage programming another synthesizer to replace the damaged Prophet 5 that took a spill on arrival. Two other bands played as he did this, btw! Most special moment, was Christian Vander with tears in his eyes on a standing ovation. Both he and Stella were wonderful. Gomelsky was great and nice to talk to.
In general, I tend not to talk much about this at all, since too much of it is a fan/star type of relationship which mine wasn't. Mine always was about appreciating the art and the musicianship. Came close to doing a poetry thing with Gilly in SF, but apparently it fell through.
Many pictures found on http://www.pedrosena.com - www.pedrosena.com
I had already come from a family with a famous writer for a father, and some of the giants of literature came and went in our houses many times. My attitude and discussion on many of these tends to be very different and more online with their work, than anything else ... mostly because I can see the person and the work ... and when you don't have "star" in the middle, you really have a nice person to talk to and learn from and enjoy a cup of tea with! The rest is crap! ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: Antennas
Date Posted: July 30 2010 at 20:34
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Hi - nice thread!
Well I did meet quite a few musicians through my 30+ years of being a progger. Some of them:
- Yes. I stood at the front at the Rotterdam Ahoy gig at their 90125-tour in 1984, and guess what - when standing at the artists exit to try and get an autograph, I was asked to come in and join the band for a meet-and-greet! Apparently Jon Anderson had seen me standing in the front rown, liked my self-knitted sweater featuring the album sleeve of 90125, and had asked the security guys to let me in! Pretty much unbelievable... haha, it's only that I still have pictures of that experience to proof myself that it did actually happen. :D
Anderson was a very strange guy at that point already, completely head-in-the-skies. Squire was his aloof self, but Rabin, Kaye and White were all very cool and friendly guys.
 - Rush - or rather, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. It was back in Calgary at the Presto tour. I went all the way from The Netherlands over there just to see them perfom live, as at that time I was afraid that they might never come to Europe again
- and some Canadian fans heard me and my BF talking and were very impressed that we did so. They vowed that we should meet the band, so they took us in their car, chased Alex' and Geddy's limo to their hotel and in the lobby we were able to meet them. They were both very nice indeed, and I well remember Alex sharing a few words in Dutch with me!  Nowadays, I am more into post-prog and follow the 'smaller' bands around that come to tour my country. Being a HUGE Anathema-fan, I am quite proud of the fact that both Danny & Vinnie address me with my first name whenever I meet them, which have been plenty of times since 1998 or so. Among others, I also got to meet The Pineapple Thief 's Bruce Soord twice, he's a real nice guy. And of course quite a few of the Dutch progrock bands - the fellows from 5Bridges are good friends of mine, and I also know several folks from Flamborough Head and Leap Day quite well.
In all, it's so refreshing to experience that none of these guys behave like 'rock stars', but all are indeed very friendly and appreciative of their fans. Just... 'normal' people!
------------- 
Jesus never managed to figure out the theremin either |
Posted By: capturethesunband
Date Posted: July 31 2010 at 01:23
Did it. Done it. Loved it. Paul is a pretty down to earth guy, as is Tosin. Both stand-up dudes to chat with and such. I love it when bands are down to earth and not complete buttholes. Example- When I went to the Boston HoB to see Scale the Summit (who I was there for), Cynic, and BTBAM, STS and Cynic stayed after the show to sign merch, talk to fans, etc. BTBAM stood behind their bodyguards and wouldnt even talk to the crowd. Not cool. -Kyle ------------- Put it in Performance Mode! www.myspace.com/capturethesun http://capturethesun.bandcamp.com/ |
Posted By: Hanke666
Date Posted: July 31 2010 at 06:35
I know most of the Black Bonzo members. Actually doing a recording in their new studio this summer  ------------- 
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Posted By: Zombywoof
Date Posted: July 31 2010 at 10:09
Speaking of down to earth performers, after the Zappa Plays Zappa show in June, Dweezil stayed 45 minutes after the show to lean down on the stage, shake hands, and sign autographs. I didn't get to go down, but we yelled to him from the balcony and he smiled and waved to us! ------------- Continue the prog discussion here: http://zombyprog.proboards.com/index.cgi ... |
Posted By: Rabid
Date Posted: August 02 2010 at 15:01
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Met Peter Gabriel after a Hammersmith gig. He used to make a point of meeting fans, giving autographs, etc. and giving everyone 2-3 minutes of his time. Like an idiot, I asked him about Tony Levins Chapman Stick (was a new thing at the time), and got a three minute lesson on it. He was kind enough to sign an autograph, tho (Bodger Gabriel...hehehe)* Couldnt believe how softly-spoken he is.
Played with Tom Robinson (bass, that is) at an audition for a TRB bass player when Tom decided he wanted to play guitar. Did'nt get the job, but he did give me his phone number....hmmm. (Jacksons Lane Community Centre, Highgate).
Got called a c**t by Lemmy at a Motorhead gig for asking if they was gonna do Silver Machine....sorry Lemmy....did'nt realize it was a sore point.
Was given a LOAD of merchandising material by Ted Nugent for holding up a banner saying 'Ted walks on water ! ' at a Hammersmith gig. (I think he liked that).
Shook hands and chatted with Todd Rundgren at the Venue, London.
Played in a band with a guy named Ike Eisen, who claimed he played drums with Atomic Rooster....still un-verified, tho.....hmmm.
Got knocked over by Geezer Butler at Reading Festival....he did apologize, tho.
Ginger Baker used to rehearse his band in a house at the top of my road...tried to meet him, but no-one ever answered the door.
Got EXTREMLY patronized by several members of Bad Manners......(not Buster.....funny enough, when I moved to Kent, he bought a hotel here and called it 'Fatty Towers'...he was a nice guy, with a LOT of humility towards lesser-known musicians). It's a pity ALL of BM did'nt share his attitude.
* Was working for a Dept. store named Bodgers, in Ilford....the only thing I had on me that was suitable for an autograph was a business card. PG signed it 'all the best, Bodger Gabriel'. Bodger? NO WAY !!!!!
 ps: Used to collect plectrums from gigs,if I could get them.....got Frank Zappas, Ted Nugents, Todd Rungrens, Alvin Lees, Francis Rossis, Joe Perrys....guess I'm a plectrum groupie !! LOL
------------- "...the thing IS, to put a motor in yourself..." |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: August 02 2010 at 15:04
I am available fir PM or other type interview but you might not want to go there.  ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: August 02 2010 at 16:04
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Hi,
In general, I'm not a great fan of the old rock/star scene and I have avoided a lot of concerts because of it.
I spent a little time with Damo, and for the most part he was acting vain and was not interested in "conversation" and that may be a part of his act and work! I thought it was stupid! He was good on stage, but I think the whole thing looked tired and a bit sad myself. I can appreciate the openess and the artistic freedom behind it all, you can read all about it here in this board all the time, but what happened in there was never duplicated and I don't think that Damo can do that with people not being as crazy as the others were then. And the musicians that he goes with are not as well defined and helped in terms of what it took to get that stuff done ... most american musicians only know how to "jam" .. they are not very good at "experimenting" ... which is what "made" that music and Damo so special. And to me, seeing a re-tread was not as good.
Of all the Gong tours and shows I saw here in the West Coast, only one stood out as important ... the one that had Pierre with them. It had a bottom end that was special and made the band sound stronger and more important. The first one had Pip and it was "jazzy" and neat and well done, but the rock element in it was missing. With Pierre the music the whole thing rocked out nicely. Pierre could do the arty stuff and rock out. Pip was not that strong on rocking out. Later with Chris, it was nice, but missed the rock element and missed the jazzy element. Daevid didn't mind the differences, and thought they would be more fun and different. Talking to them was nice and Gilly was the best and most approach'able of them all, and a lot of fun to be with. She does not do "star" ... she does Gilly! The others were fine, but perhaps 10% a bit too much ego. Mike was ok, and a lot of fun and discussing if his Fender was too "baassy" or not, was enjoyable!
All in all, "meeting" them has not been that important for me at all. I suppose that as a writer I would want to feel that I have just as much to offer as they do even if they have more "fame" than I do, but in the end, I write for my vision, not for an audience. I suppose that I could use a little megalomaniac in the attitude to make it look like it is more important than it really all is, but I do not like the "star" thing that rock music has made out of the art form. It has hurt the true artists that are not there to pick up the girls and get laid in every port! That is not to say that I would love to have some of that, I think we all would, but in the end ... you don't just live for that unless you are as vain as crap and your name is Kiss!
Of all the people out there, there are only 3 I would love to have a cup of tea with ... Vangelis, Mike Oldfield and Klaus Schulze ... maybe even Riuichi Sakamoto ... for they have provided me with the biggest and most exciting moments in music in my life ... and the rest was just rock'n'roll and nothing else.
That's not to say I didn't enjoy seeing Pink Floyd or Tangerine Dream, but sometimes even the saying hello is not fun, and in this area PF was not fun at all!
Of all the interviews and fun stuff I ever read or found, there is only one that is nice ... and it is magnificent ... is Guy Guden's fun night with Robin Williamson ... which is really special and it clarifies more about the music and the art ... than all the star bullsh*t! Unffortunately a copy of that is not going to be available to anyone since Guy won't share it ... but the things that Robin says in there and gives us about the history, the time, the place and the art ... is what it is all about ... !!! And no one will ever get anything like that out of Roger Waters or David Gilmour! ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: Conor Fynes
Date Posted: August 02 2010 at 16:52
My guitar teacher taught Devin Townsend, if that's worth something! 
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Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: August 02 2010 at 17:19
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I am in touch with quite a few musicians through my Facebook page and email - it's part and parcel of being a reviewer. I have also had the opportunity to meet a few of them at the last two editions of NEARfest: Andrew Sussman of Frogg Café, Pat McGowan of The Tea Club, Kyree Vibrant of Half Past Four, Mariusz Duda of Riverside, George Dobbs and Robert James Pashman of 3rd Degree - as well as the collective members of D.F.A., Forgas Band Phenomena and Moraine. The latter band's guitarist, Dennis Rea, is a big fan of my writing. At present, I am looking forward to meeting two people in particular: John Fontana (jplanet on this forum) and David Bobick of Shadow Circus. Hopefully we'll be able to make it to ProgDay!
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Posted By: Triceratopsoil
Date Posted: August 02 2010 at 17:22
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I'm intimately familiar with the guitarist from Hobo Trashcan Fire and Russian Tea Cakes and Electric Biscuit Balloon and 3 Men and a Baby and whatever other bands I'm in oh wait |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: August 02 2010 at 17:33
hah... you are far too modest... what French drummer and bandleader had the nerve to kiss you right in front of your husband  I might just have to keep you and Vander apart next month hahah------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: Devonsidhe
Date Posted: August 02 2010 at 22:13
Same here. I had a chance to meet him when a couple of friends backed him up for the west coast tour about 10-15 years ago. He was always very focused. Before the gig, he just mainly sat at the table while a bunch of us did the talking. Might have been cause they had a camera going filming it fo some reason. After the gig, he bummed a smoke but he was not one for small talk. It was unfortunate for him that night because the local crowd didn't seem to "get" him at all so there was no connection. Since then, always thought that was the reason why he didn't say much but he may just be one who doesn't like small talk. He does take his art very seriously. ------------- Even a man who stumbles around in the dark will influence those he does not see. |
Posted By: Run Home Slow
Date Posted: August 05 2010 at 07:18
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I met Daevid Allen in Montreal when they come for the first time in '95 i think. He comes to the concert room after the show... talked with him for 15 minutes maybe and he did me a nice le Pot Head Pixie drawing on my new Gong's Shapeshifter CD. I got robbed in 2000 and that CD was in the lot :-(
------------- If you got ears, you gotta listen — Captain Beefheart |
Posted By: mono
Date Posted: August 05 2010 at 11:12
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Had a beer with Lazuli after their show with Riverside. Some contact with a few post-metal bands... ------------- https://soundcloud.com/why-music Prog trio, from ambiant to violence https://soundcloud.com/m0n0-film Film music and production projects https://soundcloud.com/fadisaliba (almost) everything else |
Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: August 06 2010 at 12:40
 ------------- "The wind is slowly tearing her apart" "Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN |
Posted By: martinprog77
Date Posted: August 07 2010 at 06:04
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few of the artist i met BIGELF they went to have lunch at the restaurant i work .last year .they were pretty cool and after a couple of beers they were even more fun .i even ask the drummer whats the name of the band and he said ' oh we are'' the s***ty Beatles '' RINGO STARR he went to a restaurant that a used to work a couple of years ago he was really nice with everybody .i talk a couple of minute with his he was nice y very respectful and take time to shake hands and chat with everybody . DEREK SHERINIAN i talk to him after a planet x concert in the baked potato in Hollywood .nice guy KURT BARABAS [ bass player of under the sun ] i met him a amoeba record store and he was really cool we talk about prog [ he is a big fan of rush ] .he was in shock that i got a cd of'' new trolls'' '' concerto grosso'' for $5,99 ------------- Nothing can last there are no second chances. Never give a day away. Always live for today. |
Posted By: fuxi
Date Posted: August 10 2010 at 09:13
That's amazing. I only just discovered D.F.A. through the ROMANTIC WARRIORS DVD and immediately ordered two of their most-acclaimed CDs. (How come I'd never heard of them before? They seem to play just the kind of prog I love!) I'm also enjoying the Forgas' AXIS CD. Now all I need to do is find about about Moraine - what do THEY play? |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: August 10 2010 at 17:44
Have a look at Easy Money's review of Moraine's debut, Manifest Density. I believe he captures the essence of their music quite aptly. They are not easy listening, but neither are they noisy or jarring, and their mastery of their respective instruments is staggering. It also helps that they are a bunch of really wonderful people, whom I hope to be able to meet again soon. |
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: August 10 2010 at 19:28
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i met Lemmy briefly at a Motorhead concert in the summer of 1983 found him sort of weird |
Posted By: JJLehto
Date Posted: August 10 2010 at 19:45
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Best I got is I once met Symphony X at a signing and they all autographed my copy of Paradise Lost. Although I did make the whole band laugh, so is that one step above the rest? |
Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: August 10 2010 at 20:05
| I think if someone here were or knew a big prog star they'd probably keep it to themselves. I personally know some big rap names who post on message boards incognito- they're fans of the music, sometimes they go online and see what people are talking about and share views and opinions. But if everybody knew who they were, every comment would become a news item. |
Posted By: Scizoidman94
Date Posted: August 10 2010 at 21:03
| I met the singer for a Beatles tribute band and had my picture with him and a cd signed. Pretty nice guy. I don't know if that counts. |
Posted By: The Truth
Date Posted: August 10 2010 at 21:45
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I PMed Phideaux, that's about it He's a great guy though. ------------- http://blindpoetrecords.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">  
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Posted By: Textbook
Date Posted: August 10 2010 at 21:48
| PS I am Simone Simons. |
Posted By: fuxi
Date Posted: August 11 2010 at 03:31
Grazie mille! I've gone and ordered their CD straightaway. As for "prog pals", I've shaken the hands of a few musicians (Allan Holdsworth, John Abercrombie, Kenny Wheeler, Bill Bruford, Ton Koopman, Emma Kirkby) and I occasionally had a chat with them. What struck me was how downright friendly and approachable they all were. No prima-donnas there! However, as a (professional) literary translator, in the past few years I've been especially keen to meet fellow-sufferers... |
Posted By: The Prognaut
Date Posted: October 17 2010 at 23:09
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My very first approach to a prog musician was back in '93 when I met Victor Baldovinos of Mexican band Iconoclasta at this little musical fest held at this known gathering point in the heart of Mexico City for the helpless music lovers... Not a single word came our from my mouth and just shook hands with him Many years later, I met some of the most incredible musicians in Italian Prog rock history to me. Firstly Francesco Di Giacomo and Vittorio Nocenzi after BMS 99 concert where we had a little chat about the show, there was a brief photo session and autograph signing for the lucky ones who waited up for them come out. Some years before I had a pic taken with Gianni Leone and goy my YS front cover scribbled by him; he's a true character I must say, a huge performer on stage an a very serious man when he's spoken to.
And most recently, I'm talking 2007 I got the chance to sneak into this little "meet and greet" with PT where I got to shake hands with all the band and had the chance to talk to Steven Wilson, Richard Barbieri and Gavin Harrison. After that, I got to see Steven Wilson again when he was promoting his first solo album Insurgentes. There was a little autograph session at this famous record store and a press conference afterwards at this downtown bar.
And finally I had a very revealing musical conversation with Daniel Denis and Michel Berckmans last year after the brief show they gave here in Mexico City. These Belgium natives are not only musically gifted, they're also a couple of very interesting characters to talk to.
Such good old memories indeed... ------------- break the circle reset my head wake the sleepwalker and i'll wake the dead |
Posted By: Evolutionary Sleeper
Date Posted: October 17 2010 at 23:33
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I had the opportunity to meet Fred Frith back in June. He even signed my Cosa Brava CD. I also met Satoko Fujii (one of my favorite musicians anywhere) and Natsuki Tamura. Both very very nice. ------------- 
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Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: October 18 2010 at 01:46
hand shake with Ghaal from Gorgoroth 
all the members of Magic Pie, met the drummer in Motorpsycho, nothing more then that -------------  
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Posted By: someone_else
Date Posted: October 18 2010 at 03:06
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I just posted in another thread that I have shaked hands and exchanged a few words with Neal Morse. That was in August 2009 during a signing session. I bought a signed copy of Lifeline that evening after a performance on a christian festival. A nice person. ------------- 
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Posted By: Lozlan
Date Posted: October 18 2010 at 10:18
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I almost met Kansas. It was after a gig in 1998; I gave my CD booklet to a security guard, and he took it to the band to see if they would autograph it. I could see the band from where I was standing - they were only about 25 feet away, sitting on the back of an open trailer. For a second it looked like they were going to come over and say hi to my friend and I, but they apparently decided against it and just autographed the booklet. It's one of my prize prog possessions, to be sure, but I do wish I'd gotten to tell them in person how amazing the show was. I met Weird Al after a show, and he signed my ticket. We talked for a little bit; very pleasant gentlemen. But not exactly prog. ------------- Certified Obscure Prog Fart. http://scottjcouturier.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - The Loose Palace of Exile - My first novel, The Mask of Tamrel, now available on Amazon and Kindle |
Posted By: timothy leary
Date Posted: October 18 2010 at 10:23
| I argued with Epignosis on the forum ......does that count |
Posted By: Vibrationbaby
Date Posted: October 18 2010 at 10:28
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I've spoken with several via email when writing bios. I've also interviewed 3 but can't get two of them on the site because of this time expired thing. I met Clint Eastwood one of the greatest prog artists of all time and spoke with him for about 15 minutes. But we talked about his movies not his work in progressive rock music. ------------- |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: October 18 2010 at 10:34
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I met Rick Wakeman at his solo show in Toronto a few summers ago. He came in through the front door while we were standing in line for the doors to open and he said a couple of things. And then after the show he stuck around for pictures and autographs.
I met Todd Rundgren before a show in Royal Oak, Michigan about 15 or 20 years ago. As we were walking in from the parking structure he came out of his tour bus, so my buddies and I talked to him for a few minutes before he left to go in for the show.
A couple of local bands that I have met the members are Tiles and Discipline. Tiles played an in record store album release party and I stuck around afterwards and talked to the guys. A couple of months later I saw Matthew Parmenter of Discipline play a solo show opening for Tiles and afterwards I talked to him and Discipline bassist Matt Kennedy during the intermission before Tiles came on. He is definitely a big fan of Peter Hammill and Magma.
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Posted By: TODDLER
Date Posted: October 18 2010 at 10:52
| The closest I came to meeting anyone from prog bands was during my time spent on the road travelling a celebrity circuit between 78' and 82". I never had the chance to meet Steve Hackett but, he was booked one week ahead of the act I toured with for about six months on the east coast in 81'. We would pull up in limos and buses and the staff would be taking his name off the sign or the giantic lit up billboard. All the bands that toured this circuit varied from has been original top 40 bands that had 2 hits to their name, folk artists, people like Doc Severson band (Johnny Carson Show), Funk and Soul acts from the 60's and 70's, new Progressive Rock etc,..Not condensed like it is today with Nearfest....I opened for Dixie Dregs and Ian Hunter in 81'. Renassance were booked a week behind us for a short time etc. At some point either in 78' or 79' Nektar and Happy the Man played the same venues that I did however,....again, it was a situation where they were booked a week ahead or a week behind. It's insane how the buses and limos, the road crew running in and out of venues, setting up the gear or tearing it down, bodyguards to protect the bands I opened for or even bodyguards that protected the bands I worked for, it seemed quite impossible to meet anyone either in the guarded dressing rooms etc. I never met anyone really. A few celebrities and that was it. It felt uncomfortable to go out of the way to meet any of these people. It wasn't considered cool by people in the business unless you already had ties with the artist. A fan at a concert would have better luck. Besides, what would you say to Steve Hackett in 81'? It wasn't as if he owed you a connection or a break. The few times that I got friendly with the sound tech, as they were very friendly, bodyguards that worked for my boss would yank me back into the dressing room. The overall message when I was 21 meant that it wasn't cool for entertainers or musicians who backed them, to be walking around the theatre mixing with other crews when your job was to be performing on the stage. In otherwords, don't show yourself until you enter the stage. During those years it was part of practices and was more evident in larger theatres than the club up your local street area. Strange times. |
Posted By: Lark the Starless
Date Posted: October 18 2010 at 11:36
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Posted By: thehallway
Date Posted: October 18 2010 at 12:25
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Robert Fripp made a fool of me in his online diary: ( http://www.dgmlive.com/diaries.htm?entry=17270 - http://www.dgmlive.com/diaries.htm?entry=17270 )
http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=279123 - THE LADDER Yes Symphonic Prog … I can't review this album and simply ignore 'Lightening Strikes' no matter how hard I'm trying to. It is a VERY cheesey, cringe- worthyly instrumentated, latino-dance number with about as much charm as Robert Fripp on a date. The Hallway. "Perhaps Mr. The Hallway will remind me of our date together? I don’t recall ever dating someone with this name and, given the demographics of prog fans, have a hunch this date was anyway inherently unlikely. Now, as a happily married man about to celebrate his 24th. wedding anniversary, it is unlikely that Mr. Hallway will ever know how charming Fripp might be." I e-mailed him an apology though! ------------- http://www.thefreshfilmblog.com/" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: TODDLER
Date Posted: October 18 2010 at 18:39
I could always see him as president of the United States. I guess you could with lots of characters but, with Eastwood ..well, you know.......My fellow Americans.....this is a 357 magnum. It can take your head right off. Now you gotta ask yourself this question, did I use 5 shots? or 6? So go ahead.....and make my day. |
Posted By: Bitterblogger
Date Posted: October 18 2010 at 20:21
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I hired Patrick Moraz for the CHAT I tour, so he came to the house and played and hung around. Kept me on the mailing list so I got invites to his "house musician" gigs for awhile at the Baked Potato in Pasadena and the Musician's Institute appearances in Hollywood. Always stopped by to chat. A very charming and personable guy.
At a promo appearance for Keys To Ascension, I got to talk with Alan White one-on-one for a few minutes. Told a funny story about hanging out with John Lennon (who was making crank calls).
One time won a contest (among others) to get backstage passes to a solo Rick Wakeman show when he was touring for Silent Nights. Regaled us all with some jokes and a story involving Chas Cronk, who was part of Rick's band then, back in the Strawbs days.
Talked briefly with Peter Banks at a Yesfest.
Met Steve Morse after a Dregs reunion gig and chatted briefly about how he felt the show had gone.
Not prog, but went to a party of Bill Lordan's girlfriend and he talked about recording with Dave Steffan.
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Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: October 18 2010 at 21:41
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i briefly met Robert Sprenger of Starchild, all he could do was smirk and say, "I've been smokin' dope all day long"-that was the end of that though not prog, i met John Ricci of Exciter briefly, he was polite i met the singer of the Canadian group Cain at a pub,he went into a spiel about the different types of acid he used to do-that was the end of that met a member of The Cooper Brothers who used to be a bartender at a place in Ontario, Canada, i did not find him polite or interesting actually, the only group i have listed here that really is prog at all is Starchild |
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: October 19 2010 at 15:20
the only thing ive done is meet Mikael Akerfeldt in 2005, and i dont even listen to Opeth as much as I used to. I made eye contact with Jordan Rudess once during a gig in Asbury Park (front row) back in 2006 
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm 
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