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Roger McGuinn

Hi ! Something "funny" happened to me a few years ago. I was waiting for Roger McGuinn (i'm a big fan) by a stage door before a gig to try to get his autograph. There was only another guy with me. Roger turned up at about 4pm for the soundcheck in a cab. He is with a woman who before i even opened my mouth started to yell at us : "No autographs, he doesn't sign autographs, you want an autograph ? I give you one..." And she gave us a leaflet that Roger probably signed in the cab. The bloke who was waiting with me simply refused it and gave it back to her. Now i can tell you that Roger gave me the kind of look "Sorry mate, I would have signed anything you wanted..." but it didn't happened because of that woman. Now the "funny" part ! I got inside the venue to see the gig (did i mention i'm a big fan ?), Cadogan Hall is a small venue in London so not far from the bar, there is a merchandising stall. Behind a table THAT woman is sitting SELLING Roger McGuinn SIGNED CDs ! Get it ? Since then I know her name : Camilla McGuinn wife and Manager of Roger ! Business is business, right ?

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Permalink Reply by Sidney Fields on June 20, 2015 at 12:54am

Funny...but that's show business today.

When I was in college I'd produced a concert by Roger and his band at the time. But I'd never gotten him to sign one of the handbills.

So, about 4 years ago he was doing a show nearby. I got there early... and it was just myself and one couple waiting for him. Roger gets out of a van with his wife. And she immediately tells us he'll only sign one item. So, I did get my concert handbill signed. And Roger couldn't have been nicer, even asking where on the handbill I wanted him to sign.

But I wound up chatting with Mrs. McGuinn for a few minutes. And, of course, she told me the thing they hate is to sign something and then see it on eBay the next day. So the policy was one to a customer. Sounds like she got tougher after my experience.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Viola on June 20, 2015 at 6:34am

Yes same thing happened to me about 10 yrs ago. Exactly how you described it!

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Permalink Reply by Ira Rosen on June 20, 2015 at 8:49am

We met Mr. & Mrs. McGuinn a few years ago before a show in NJ. What she told us was that on a European tour once, a very ill fan got Roger sick at a meet-and-greet which is why he doesn't do them anymore. My wife and I were respectful, so we got to meet him briefly and he signed one item. Many stars as they get older limit interactions with fans for a number of reasons, and health is understandable. The signed merch they have for sale is reasonably priced.

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Permalink Reply by Sidney Fields on June 20, 2015 at 10:18am

Ira....was this at Ramapo College?

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Permalink Reply by Ira Rosen on June 20, 2015 at 12:44pm

Yes. it was. There was only one other person waiting - was it you?

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Permalink Reply by Sidney Fields on June 20, 2015 at 1:48pm

Yup...I was the other person. I remembered the comment about a fan getting Roger sick.

This worldwide web isn't so large, after all.

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Permalink Reply by Bruuuce ! on June 20, 2015 at 12:01pm

Well i didn't have the time to show my respect ! in fact i didn't have the time to speak ! She just yelled at me without any reason... And i had only one Lp to get signed not a 12 string Rickenbacker...