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The Pros and Cons of Meet-and-Greets

It’s about time I tackle this subject. I must admit, though…I’m doing so with lots of second-hand stories and editorializing. It’s also after midnight (no Clapton reference intended). I’m a little tired and just typing off the top of me head!

A few of the late night shows did a comparison between the meet-and-greets that were happening at Avril Lavigne’s concert recently. She was charging $400 for the meet-and-greet, but you couldn’t touch her. That created a series of pictures that were…really funny to look at. Fans were standing two feet from her.

A few days later, there were photos of Rhianna’s meet-and-greet. I’m not sure what she was charging, but one thing for sure. She was getting up close and personal. She’d have her arms around you. She’d let you grab her a**. She’d do wacky photos, if that’s what you wanted. And it really seems that if you’re spending the big bucks for the meet-and-greet, that’s the way a celebrity should be with the fans.

Now, this leads to the autograph collector. Since I worked for five years at a classic rock radio station, I had been backstage many times. This was before meet-and-greets were so common – unless it was put on by the radio station or some other promotion. There was never a price attached to attend them (ah, the good ol’ days!)

The first time I had the opportunity to spend money for one, was to have dinner with Paul McCartney for $5,000. I was on the fence about it. Only 20 people were being allowed to attend. When I called a few days later, they told me only two people had signed up. I was thrilled. There might only be a few of us. I told my friend he was the only Beatle I needed to complete a set, but I still wasn’t comfortable spending that much money. He and I came up with a good plan, though. I’d bring 20 albums. Have him sign those, and sell 10, to help shoulder the cost. Now, selling autographs goes against everything I feel about this hobby, but if it meant I got into an event cheaper, I was considering it. I said, “There’s no way he’s going to sign 20 albums for me.” My friend replied, “There’s no way he’s not going to. You paid five grand to get in! He owes it to you.”

I ended up not going, because I figured the most he’d sign for me was five. Thankfully, I eventually got his signature another way.

Now, fast forward 18 years. I met a guy that DID go to that same dinner. He told me he brought eight items for Sir Paul to sign. McCartney sighed, and signed two. Paul then looked over at a big guy in a suit, who promptly came over and said, “Paul isn’t here to sign a bunch of stuff.”

McCartney said, “I’ll sign one more for you, but that’s it.”

The guy got three items signed for his $5,000 (which went to a vegetarian charity he was promoting). I won’t do the math, but…that’s a lot to spend for 3 items that aren’t worth that much. I was happy I opted not to do it.

My friend is a locksmith, and he was re-keying a concert hall that Bonnie Raitt was playing at. She had turned me down for an autograph years ago, but when she did a benefit my sister was involved in, she helped me snag a signature. Raitt was charging around $500 for a backstage meet-and-greet, that included eating with her. Yet all the money she charged went to charity. That certainly makes it more palatable.

My biggest fear about these M&Gs is that the autograph collector is the most likely to be disappointed. The fans that want the wacky photos for Facebook are set. That’s because most bands are probably willing to sign a few items, but not many more. So you have to decide – is $500 or more – worth one or two items signed, and some photos? Yet the more I hear and read about M&Gs, the more I’m finding out that bands aren’t willing to sign.

I spent $100 for a meet-and-greet with Steppenwolf, because it’s a band I love, and the money went to an animal rescue charity (and included watching the sound check performance). Singer/songwriter John Kay snapped at me when I slid a third item on the table for him to sign. This is a guy that is legally blind!!! Yet he noticed, after we were all told “two items each,” I had a 3^rd thing in there.

I’ve been writing the Kiss Kronikles, and a few have talked about how much they charge at the meet-and-greets. Well, I read an interview with former Metallica member Jason Newsted. He said Metallica always wanted them to do M&G’s, because Kiss made so much money. He said that it’s ridiculous to pay to meet Gene Simmons. He wouldn’t have a problem paying a few hundred to meet his favorite players from the 1970s Baltimore Orioles, but not rock stars. He said when you meet them in person, they should always sign autographs, and he’s never charged for an autograph until the website went up. He figures if fans want to order a CD or 8x10 signed on the website, they can pay, but never in person. Now that’s the attitude I want to see.

I’ve talked to a few friends that have paid for the M&Gs for “30 Seconds to Mars,” and they were told no photos. That bothered them.

There was controversy on the Godsmack website, when a fan talked about paying for the VIP package (which included a M&G). It wasn’t until after the purchase was made, that the band put on their Facebook page, “No autographs or photos.”

A woman was furious (and rightly so). She posted, “If they’re going to do this, they should state those rules on the page where we are paying for these tickets.”

Other people later posted that the band usually does sign, but only one item per person, and only if they have time. They will usually take photos, but with their photographer (which is a common practice for bands now). You then go to their website and download it.

I have been hearing horror stories regarding ZZ Top and how they handle M&Gs. This didn’t surprise me, because a stagehand I know, told me that’s the only band that ever refused to sign an autograph for him as he was working on the stage (and he only had one photo he would ask to have signed).

On the ZZ Top website, a man wrote a blog about how he was a big fan and paid $300 for the M&G. He was told by the bands manager that there would be no autographs and no photos. It would be a Q&A with the band, but that only 4 of the 20 people with their hands raised had questions answered. He was furious about spending the money for what was basically a cattle call.

Another woman wrote of a similar experience, saying she paid for this for her husband. It was enough money to feed them for a week, but she wanted to splurge for him. He came back to the hotel room rather upset. He said it was a quick three minutes and he didn’t get to say a word to the band.

So the conclusion I’ve come to is – do your research before dropping big bucks for the meet-and-greets. You might get an item signed, and a photo – but you might not. If it’s your favorite band or the money goes to charity – go for it. You’ll probably never get the chance again.

I just prefer bands to do what Def Leppard told me in an interview. They said they finally started charging for their autographs. They make everyone pay $5 and they give 100% of that to charity.

That’s affordable for everyone, and some charity gets a nice chunk of change.

Comment by Brian on May 17, 2014 at 11:43am: I agree, Josh - if an artist wants to weed out fans from vendors, then they can personalize it. If my favorite rock star is going to sign something for free for me, they can call the shots (personalize, 1 item, no photos, etc). But when you're paying these insane M&G prices, I can see where anyone would assume an autograph is included in the price.

I hope the M&G phenomenon sorts itself out. With the interwebs these days, I assume ZZ Top's & Avril's M&G attendance will dwindle and Rhianna's will take off. Good. Give the fans something they want. I don't understand why more bands don't just sell signed stuff through their websites?

Comment by Carlos on May 17, 2014 at 12:04pm: Lol you're all acting entitled.
You get what you pay for - a MEET and GREET

I would rather meet someone than have an autograph
If you would rather have an autograph then get one on eBay and stop complaining

Comment by Brian on May 17, 2014 at 3:19pm: MEET and GREET - you're right. Fair enough.

In most cases, I would rather have an autograph signed in front of me more than 20 seconds of conversation. M&G are potential ways to make either scenario happen. Hence the discussion of autographs being included at M&Gs on Autograph Magazine.com. Its a perfect forum for that discussion. I don't see it as complaining.

Comment by Josh Board on May 17, 2014 at 10:03pm: First, Carlos -- you're wrong. Here's why. If we buy one off eBay, there's a good chance it's fake. Second, if we buy one of eBay, it's the EXACT REASON why these stars don't like signing at M&Gs! So, it's a vicious cycle! Second, according to your logic, it's a "meet and greet." So, by your definition, technically, a band can charge $500. Line up 50 hardcore fans that paid that. The band can walk up, shake your hand, say hello...and move on to the next person, shake the hand, say hello, and move on to the next person. Those 50 people, will each shake the hand (ie "meet") the star, and spend literally 3 seconds with them. The band will, with 50 people, have spent a total of 5 minutes of their time...and just made a nice chunk of change.

Now, to put it into perspective to the bands -- NOBODY is paying those prices for a M&G to sell stuff on eBay, because it wouldn't make them a profit. To spend $500 for that, on top of the concert ticket and parking ... just wouldn't make sense to then sell a signed photo for $75, ESPECIALLY if they say "We'll sign 3 items per person, and we personalize." See how simple that is????

Now, let me add something. My all time favorite band is The Doors. I've interviewed each member multiple times. I've been to parties with the various band members. Had lots and lots of conversations with them. They've all signed multiple items for me. But if you were to say to me "Which would you rather have...all those hand shakes, hugs, conversations with your favorite band -- and no autographs....or, the various books and albums you have signed, and not a single conversation with the band -- I'd take the autographs every time. Maybe that makes me rare, but...I like the signed autographs. IT's my hobby. Think about it this way -- would you rather have a signed Beatles album....or nothing signed by the Beatles, but a 10 minute chat with Paul McCartney (asking him questions he's heard and answered a thousand times), a 10 minute conversation with Ringo (in which he acts like he's not even happy to have the conversation), etc.

Comment by Josh Board on May 17, 2014 at 10:05pm: It's bad enough at the concerts, that they charge you $35 or $40 for a T-shirt, that cost them $3 !!! They make millions and millions on these tours. They make even more doing the meet-and-greets. As I stated in my article, the guy in Metallica thinks it's disgusting to charge for an autograph, but he says "I sell signed stuff on my website, for people that don't have that opportunity, but never in person." That's the perfect philosophy to have. And seriously...take any garage band in any town, that isn't famous -- a bunch of 23 year olds...and tell them "Would you like fame and fortune, and to be able to do this for a career -- but you occasionally have to sign autographs when you're recognized at Disneyland or at Meet-and-Greets...each concert you'll make another $5,000 doing those, but some people will have 4 of your albums they want signed" or "You can have a job as a plumber, paying hundreds to see your favorite bands..." which do you think they'd pick????

Comment by Carlos on May 17, 2014 at 10:10pm: Lol you're a bit lost josh. If you aren't happy with just meeting someone then you aren't a true fan
Id rather have 10 seconds with someone I admire than an autograph that I can get any day of the week

Comment by Josh Board on May 17, 2014 at 10:13pm: Carlos, again...you are wrong. I will prove it. "an autograph I can get any day of the week."

So, my favorite singer is Jim Morrison. Can you tell me where I can get the autograph? I'd love to have one. I'll give you a week to get back to me on that. Oh, and while you're at it...id love a John Lennon signed album. I'd gladly take the heads up on that as well.

What the hell does 10 seconds with somebody do??? In 10 seconds, you can tell McCartney "Hey man...great concert! I'm glad you did Admiral Halsey, it's my favorite Wings song," to which he can walk by, shake his head and say "Hey thanks man." And YOU WOULD RATHER have that conversation then an autographed Sgt. Pepper by Sir Paul??? Seriously????

Comment by Josh Board on May 17, 2014 at 10:15pm: And to bring this back to the original thread (don't get me wrong, I always welcome any directions these conversations go in)....if people are paying the big bucks, they do it for a quick conversation and an autograph. Not just one of those things, and the artists should be able to understand that.

Comment by Carlos on May 17, 2014 at 10:17pm: They are paying for the MEET and GREET....duh
So you would rather have john lennons autograph than have shaken his hand and met him? Sounds like you're a true fan lol