People say that those who are famous are totally unreachable....that they build huge chasms between themselves and their fans. In some cases, the stars hide themselves behind security gates, guards, and other barriers - oft times for fear of their own safety, which is really a shame, as people can't see who these people are on the inside. All they see is the singer up on stage and they totally miss the person that is underneath all the fame.
I've had the opportunity to see some of the famous people underneath the glitz and glamour, and saw some of what the rest of their personality was like underneath. What I found was that these are truly real people, and their passions for their works are genuine....it's their lifeblood, their essence - an extension of themselves if you will. It's rather amazing what one finds out about a person from even a little in-person conversation....and quite a lot of fun!
These are the stories of three such encounters, and how they came to be!
MARI IIJIMA
First found about her in: 1991
How I found out about her: My friend Slash sent me a CD of "Lynn Minmay Sings For You" from Macross
Does she have a homepage: Yes - Mari Iijima Official Homepage
How it all happened:
Once I got started listening to Mari's music, I couldn't stop....yes, it's just that infectious...but a good kind, you know? After a while of searching Japanese stores for her CD's, I thought to check for her online. I stumbled across Mari's homepage in about 1998 - well, I didn't know it was HER her page. So after reading all there was on the site, I E-mailed the webmaster complimenting him/her on their ability to put together a really cool site about Mari. 3 days later, I got an E-mail....from Mari herself!
I started working on a fan site for her to see if I could generate interest from the US audience for her....not that she really had any such problem, what with all the anime conventions around the country. I got hooked up with a really fun bunch of people in Denver, CO who ran a convention called Nan Desu Kan, and since my friend Murdock was in with them, I thought I'd check and see about helping out with the fun as well. In 2000, I asked the head of NDK what she thought about having someone like Mari come to Denver, and she seemed to like the idea. I also asked Mari what she thought about coming to Denver for some convention fun....and she seemed to like that too. Since I was working security, I was able to get into the concert room first to get a good seat before the show. She recognized me from our communications, and gave me a nice warm welcome and we talked a bit while she was in-between things, which was definitely more than I ever expected from someone who was an iconic singer in Japan for so long. So in fall of 2000, Denver was treated to one of the most famous Japanese singers around, and I got to finally meet one of the inspirations of my life.
The perception:
From what I've seen and heard from Mari, she makes no reservation about speaking her mind. She loves to reinvent herself with each new album that she makes as well - displaying a wide range of styles, and she seems to enjoy spreading out her canvas of talent as wide as possible. As a person, she seems to be very confident, and easy-going.
LAURIE CHASTAIN
Found out about her in: 2004
How I found out about her: The owner of my regular job introduced me to her and her music
Does she have a homepage: Yes...it's being worked on at this time
How it all happened:
It's kind of foggy how this one started, but I was showing my friend (the one who intro'd me to her) some sites that I've done (like the fan site I did for Mari), and he told me how this friend of his was looking to have a site done for her to introduce the world to her music. Of course, I was quite intrigued, so I asked to hear some of this person's work. Within a couple of days, I was introduced to the world of Remencier - a world of traditional fiddle tunes and eclectic stylings coalescing into a musical frenzy of style, substance, and art. It was quite an extraordinary sensation hearing music such as this....I thought such imagination had died out a long time ago, but here was proof that it hadn't.
Meeting up with her was quite the experience! Over lunch, we talked about her music, where it came from, and in what direction it would head next - like a free-winged spirit wandering the cosmos. She really struck a chord as being not only motivated in her music, but in her life as well.
The perception:
Laurie is very open-minded, and holds nothing back when it comes to her opinion. She's very approachable, and very eager to soak up as much knowledge about new things as humanly possible.
NINA HAGEN
Found out about her in: 1986
How I found out about her: My wonderful friend Steve plopped me down in front of his stereo with a copy of "NIna Hagen In Ekstasy"
Does she have a homepage: Yes - Nina's Official 5 Elements Page
How it all happened:
I think this is one of my favorite stories, since it's definitely one of the more unusual ones....but it's all TRUE, I swear! After moving to California, I searched for more Nina music, as she's one of my patron saints - a creative visionary that inspires me always. I found out she was coming to Orange County, and I knew that it was destined that I really HAD to go see her.....so of course, after getting a ticket well in advance, I went to the Galaxy Theatre in Santa Ana to get some Nina goodness. I was quite amazed at how SMALL the venue was for someone who has had as much adventure in her life as Nina has - which worked out well for me in this case. After 3 other acts came and went, it was time for her to come out.
I was in for two solid hours of Nina's wonderment, and I was up front next to the stage enjoying every minute of it! I had heard from some of the concert goers that Nina sometimes comes out and hob-nobs with the bunch to sign autographs and get pics done and all....so heck....why not? As luck would have it, it was raining pure cats & dogs that night, but my spirits remained high & dry. After a while out in the rain - sheltering my album cover for her to sign - her manager comes out and has us come inside to wait, so of course we did. Nina was sitting on a couch conversing with people and of course signing autos and getting pics done.....which was great waiting listening to her until the security force threw the lot of us out.
We did not come so far, and wait so long to turn back now....so we waited once more...in the rain, smiling all the time. Guess what? Nina came out to see us!! How awesome is that? What I thought was the sweetest thing was when she looked wide-eyed at this girl who had on a dress (no jacket, no overcovering beyond her dress) and asked "Where is your jacket? Where is your coat?", and then, out of the kindness of her heart....gave her her OWN jacket as a present! Perhaps it's the parent in her - or it's just that she has THAT big of a heart. Of course, I thanked her for being such an inspiration, and after she signed my album, we gave each other a big hug, and ended one heckuva an evening I know I'll not soon forget.
The perception:
As popular as Nina is...she's a very down-to-earth, warm person that anyone would love to get to know better...and I'm sure she's gotten to know quite a few people a bit better in return. She was everything I was told to expect, and a whole lot more.
So there you have it....some of the people I've met in recent years that as famous as they are, they are warm-blooded people underneath, full of passion, spirit, and love to enjoy life to it's fullest. How I'd love to have them over for coffee any day of the week. :-)