Mr. Jordy 16.10.2008 01:28 |
" I find the whole business of signing your name on bits of paper pretty pointless, I have to say ... and I don't ask my heroes to do that ... in my mind, it would be an instant indication to, say, Eric Clapton, that all I wanted to do was waste his time. A hand-shake, and a meeting of eyes ... well, that very often does mean a lot to me ... and I find it sad that so much of the contact I have, with the people who come and see us, is lacking in that kind of 'appreciation of a moment'. It all gets lost, somehow, in a mad scramble to put ink on paper." -Brian May, from his soapbox Ok, ok. I have had just about enough of the curmudgeon that is Brian May. The above quote is from Brian's soapbox on Monday 6 October. If you haven't yet, do read his entire entry. Brian indicates in this soapbox entry that essentially, fans annoy him. He is a rock star and he really doesn't have the time to be signing autographs. Brian writes, "in my mind, it would be an instant indication to, say, Eric Clapton, that all I wanted to do was waste his time [if I should run into him and ask for his autograph]." If you read between the lines, Brian is saying that if you are a fan asking him for an autograph, you are in fact wasting HIS time. Well, I met Brian May. He was rude. He was rude and distant and it wasn't until I bought him a drink that he warmed up, came over to me and apologized for being rude and distant. We chatted for a bit, I then asked him to sign my copy of Queen II, which he did and then we had our picture taken together. I do not at all resent that I didn't simply shake hands and make eye contact with Brian, as prescribed in his ramble above. I do resent that Brian May considers our meeting as a waste of his time, whereas I viewed it as one of the most exciting moments of my life. I spent hundreds of dollars on my trip to Las Vegas to see the premiere of WWRY and to meet Brian and Roger. I would imagine that in the 17 year course of my having been a Queen fan, I have spent thousands of dollars on Queen merchandise. Ok, so... Did Brian owe me that autograph? No. But signing my album was the right thing to do, whether or not he begrudged the action. I am one unit within millions of Queen fans who have made Brian May rich and famous. Should one of those fans such as myself approach Brian with wishes of a picture or an autograph, don't you feel that though he is not obligated to do so, he should do so with a smile on his face? Brian May would be NOTHING without a devout following of Queen fans and with Monday's blog post, he is clearly indicating that those very fans are wasting his time. I am not taking words out of context. I am directly quoting. I generally write articulate thought-out threads, but this one is all over the place, I admit. Brian's soapbox has really fired me up. On occasion, Brian needs to keep his thoughts to himself. |
shoemanbundy 16.10.2008 02:15 |
Dude, next time you ever see him you should totally give him a really nasty look. Make it look as though you're saying "so I'm not good enough for you, eh Mr. May?" Then raise your brows when he makes eye contact. |
P-Staker 16.10.2008 02:48 |
You think nothing of treating us to your long-winded, mean-spirited rants, but someone else should "shut up" and "keep their thoughts to themselves"? What a sad little dick you are. |
john bodega 16.10.2008 04:42 |
You are wasting his time when you get him to sign things, yes. And you wasted my time with this thread. I wanted an autograph from Julian Lennon when I was 12, and I got it, but if I had my time again I would much preferred to have had the chance at something more meaningful; like the opportunity to tell him that I dug his album or something. Autographs are pointless, really. A photo with a celebrity, maybe I could understand. I'm all for Ringo's video, as well. Fucking hell, sending him things to get signed?? How bizarre. |
maxpower 16.10.2008 06:44 |
Actually I agree with the thread at the end of the day we put them where they are & also have supported the whole Q&PR chapter so an autograph isn't exactly asking the world. The whole Ringo statement is a fucking joke |
john bodega 16.10.2008 07:26 |
Think about what you're saying. How about I send you an album and ask you to sign it? It would be absolutely bizarre and totally worthless. I don't see how Brian is wrong in thinking that something more personal than a signature is more worth his time. Of some of the famous folks I've had the chance to see in my life, I wish I had some more lasting and personal reminder than a signature or a photo. As for Ringo; I think he's a dick for swearing off fanmail altogether. I'm with him as far as signing stuff goes though. What a ridiculous and stupid thing to ask of a celebrity. 'Here, write your name on this thx'. |
Treasure Moment 16.10.2008 07:49 |
Brian is right! its pointless and exhausting to write fucking autographs, its better to just talk to the person, that means ALOT more than a damn signature. |
Sebastian 16.10.2008 07:52 |
For some people it may be stupid to have a signature on a piece of paper. For others, it could be important and valuable. I don't think there's anything wrong with liking or not caring about autographs, as long as there's respect for other people's opinions. If Dr May thinks an autograph's a waste of time, well, that's his perspective. If he complains about fans wasting his time (which he didn't, IMO), that'd be a bit rude indeed. But at the end of the day, he owes nothing to fans: nobody forced them to buy the records, go to the concerts and spend loads of money in merchandising. Fans didn't make him rich - he did, by being such an excellent musician. |
Rotwang 16.10.2008 08:01 |
I was wondering if he ever did a book signing session when BANG! was released. If so, how does he separate that? I would be willing to bet that the majority of people who bought it weren't as impressed with the content as much as who wrote it. Now granted, there are those that only get autographs to sell them on ebay so I can certainly understand his point of view there. I wouldn't think a quick snapshot with a fan is a big deal because it is a much more intimate connection with the fans that got him where he is. I just hope his soapbox doesn't turn in to a high horse. |
Togg 16.10.2008 08:04 |
Sebastian wrote: For some people it may be stupid to have a signature on a piece of paper. For others, it could be important and valuable. I don't think there's anything wrong with liking or not caring about autographs, as long as there's respect for other people's opinions. If Dr May thinks an autograph's a waste of time, well, that's his perspective. If he complains about fans wasting his time (which he didn't, IMO), that'd be a bit rude indeed. But at the end of the day, he owes nothing to fans: nobody forced them to buy the records, go to the concerts and spend loads of money in merchandising. Fans didn't make him rich - he did, by being such an excellent musician. Well said... I have met Roger and John over the years, neither of them did I ask for an autograph because I personnally see no point in it, I would rather spend that valuable time talking to them. I have nothing against autograph collectors, but it does nothing for me. IMO Brian's comment makes much more sense than Ringo's recent out burst which just makes him look like a little grumpy sod |
ana_libra 16.10.2008 08:31 |
Maybe I'm crazy but I know a lot of people who think asking a celebrity to spend some time with you chatting and making eye contact is a bit more then they want us to do? I mean, can you immagine a star who has enough time and nerves to share an intimate moment with every single fan who approaches him? THAT'd be ridiculous. Signing autographs is a lot quicker, and a lot better way to make many people feel satisfied in a short amount of time that is given.. |
coops 16.10.2008 09:42 |
He (May) has no obligation whatsoever to stop and shake your hand, sign his name etc etc. You pay for a cd or a concert, you get a product, not a moment of his time. If he is in a bad mood or tired, he has no obligation to cheer up just for you. You place a lot of importance on yourself don't you? Or on a peice of paper with a name on it. I understand completly that a hello and handshake is more personable than "can you sign this"? You may see Brian as a product, but he probably does not see himself that way. Get over yourselves. |
masterstroke_84 16.10.2008 11:17 |
Also remember that other history about that wanker in the USA tour 2006, asking the whole gig por a sixpence, showing a pancart... and when Brian finally give up, and give him the sixp. the guy sold it on ebay next day... That people shouldn't exist. |
john bodega 16.10.2008 11:49 |
ana_libra wrote: Maybe I'm crazy but I know a lot of people who think asking a celebrity to spend some time with you chatting and making eye contact is a bit more then they want us to do? I mean, can you immagine a star who has enough time and nerves to share an intimate moment with every single fan who approaches him? THAT'd be ridiculous. Signing autographs is a lot quicker, and a lot better way to make many people feel satisfied in a short amount of time that is given.. That's just poppycock. Ted Neeley gives loads of time to his fans when he could be in his hotel room realising how fucking awesome he is. That approach isn't for everyone, obviously, but I'd value it a lot more than an autograph. I say this as someone who has autographs. They don't mean as much to me as the times where I've attempted to treat famous persons like normal people. That's always more memorable. |
john bodega 16.10.2008 11:50 |
Although I will admit, that doesn't always work. You can't exactly chew over the price of milk with a celebrity, so conversation can be non-existent if you try to behave 100% normally. |
Micrówave 16.10.2008 12:49 |
a little Ringo story. I had the pleasure of getting back stage for a Ringo show. What a funny guy. Colin took me over to say hello. As I approached Ringo pointed at me and shouted "Who's that guy? Is he authorized?" He motioned me over and proceeded to ask me some of the most bizarre questions, to make sure I was ok to be there. He had everyone, including me, in stitches. After the joke was up, we chatted for a good five minutes or so, before his tour manager pulled him away for someone else. Since I'm not an 'autograph-guy', he was quite taken aback when I didn't ask for one. I was also empty handed, not carrying anything worth autographing. He grabbed a sharpee and signed my arm then demanded my other arm and did the same in large Ringo style... in case I lost one of them. |
Mr. Jordy 16.10.2008 13:46 |
Let me clarify what I previously wrote. I do not feel that Brian is obligated to sign anything, nor do I disagree with his statement that it is wasting his time. I do feel, however, that Brian should simply keep that opinion to himself - because of this reason: Over the course of many years, Brian has met with many fans, signed things for many fans and taken pictures with many fans. He is just now getting around to telling us that we have, in essence, wasted his time. As I said, Brian has now said that what was one of the most exciting times in my life, to me (meeting him) was a waste of his time, because I asked him to sign my Queen II album sleeve. Ok. Whatever. I can accept that. Here's the thing - he's a fucking celebrity... What does he expect? Is it common protocol to venture up to a celebrity, make eye contact and exchange warm words of kindness? No! Common protocol is that fans ask for an autograph or a picture to be had. |
Mr. Jordy 16.10.2008 13:58 |
P-Staker wrote: You think nothing of treating us to your long-winded, mean-spirited rants, but someone else should "shut up" and "keep their thoughts to themselves"? What a sad little dick you are. My post was not mean-spirited, in the least. Long winded? If you consider something a bit longer than two paragraphs long winded. Your "sad little dick" comment was inappropriate. |