I have now calmed down after an exhausting and emotionally draining two nights. Many subjects and opnions to share but this tale from Tuesday must be told.

Ambled to the back stage area on Tuesday night after meeting a few Morrissey solo faces in the Catherine Wheel. Then, by chance in the RAH, bumped into Mimi.. and this is where she unwittingly played a part in the story, because afterwards me and a friend went looking for her.. and before we could catch her, there she was going backstage. Which is fine for her, and frustarting for us, for the security as you can imagine was tight. Then, by immaculate chance, we were given two priceless Guest passes for the after show 'party'.. actaully given them.. we just blinked in amazement and couldn't believe our luck. Now we're no more deserving than anyone else here but we had to take our chances so we drew big breth, looked like we belonged, and strode in with purpose.

The after show was downstars. A mix of ages were there. Media people, but very few fans by the look so on that level we felt well within in our rights to be there.. real heart felt fans rather than media sychophants.

We took a seat. And, by chance, happened to sit at the table next to where Linder Sterling and a small entourage were privately chatting amongst themselves. We exchanged small talk amongst ourselves and spoke to a couple of people associeted with the support acts (roadie for the Thrills one of them) and a lovely girl who lent me her pen. We was not prepared for this to happen and then, like a dream, it unfolded before us.

First Gary Day appaeared. Black t-shirt, Covered in tattoos .. every inch a 60's rocker from the beach at Brighton. Wasn't quite sure of the social ettiquette of the ocacssion but thought ahh, what the hell, Morrissey won't be here, so may as get him to sign the ticket.. So asked Gary to sign and I've never met a bigger cockney than him.. brilliant, even if the 'f*cking pen was f*cked' to quote him as the ink wouldn't flow at first. So thanked him and went back to our table before somone brushed past my back.. and was followed by a big Ameriacn minder. It was Morrissey. the place sort of buzzedand the convesration sort of went up a notch .. but no-one really hassled him. A few approached and shook hands and one picture was taken.. but then he joined Linder and sat with his own private and personal friends.

It was amazing. we were talking and trying to be oh so cool.. for it was really inappropriate to have down anything else than to polietly glance but let him have his moment of privacy. But we really could not believe it as our Morrissey hearts raced. Our good fortune. We consider ourselves so lucky.. so very lucky. It was just wonderful, for there he was.. looking better than he did on stage. Sort of younger dare I say in close up real life, despite the flcks of grey on the side of his head. He was relaxed. He had his own tour t-shirt on with the motorhead style Morrissey logo on.. and a dark jacket. He joked and smiled. And we were just feet from his distinguished profile. His chiselled jaw and proud forehead. A man who had touched our lives with his words, his poetry and his charisma.

Just to further paint the detailed picture for you, Boz arrived shorly afterwards, and said hello to Morrissey and gave his shoulder an affectionate squeeze.. I am sure Alain was there but didnt see where he was.

Sorry, back to the tale, so, after about 30 mintues, Morrissey got up without too much pre-amble to leave. A young couple pressed a copy of maladjusted into his hand and he signed.. and then we just couldn't hold back.. and approached him and asked him to sign our tickets. Which he did. He even signed the ticket with Gary Days name on it making a amusing remark that he gets everywhere. And I said something like 'and wear shirts that tear more easily' (as I nured bruised fist from the shirt melee) but couldn't say anything else. Anything else to say would have been superfluous, and then my friend came forward, she is one of the biggest Morrissey fans I know, and thanked him for everything and fundamentally just for 'being him' and gave him a kiss on the cheek.. which she will die with on her mind I am sure.

And then he was gone.

We were dumb struck. How can you beat this experience? And then we left and there were people outside as we passed still clutching their pens and paper.. and we realised we still had our mock celebrity status as they all turned to us as we left and asked if he was still in there.. and despite our honest statement that he had gone.. they still hung around in hopeful groups clinging to the dream we had just had. We were no better than them, but we were luckier. I cannot overstate how humble and priviledged we felt. And I write this not a big headed way.. but just to share a moment in our lives that will live forever and hopefully you can (if you want it ) experience yourself.

Peace and love and harmony.
Ruffian

PS, For the record, as part of a previous debate, I'd say he was about 5'10. I was taller than him for sure!

You lucky bleeder!!

After the trials we had getting down from Leeds (it took 8 hours to reach the Albert Hall) we missed everyone in the Wheel Tappers and Shunters Pub. I did say hello to The Goat outside.

I'd agree that he is about 5'10". I gave him a hug in the HMV and he was no taller than me.

Vd

Hey Ruffian , thanks for sharing your *moment* I really really like reading your objective, sincere and cool experience.
You have brought some great expectations..
cheers!

Well done sir

Good past thanks for sharing with everyone.

> I have now calmed down after an exhausting and emotionally draining two
> nights. Many subjects and opnions to share but this tale from Tuesday must
> be told.

> Ambled to the back stage area on Tuesday night after meeting a few
> Morrissey solo faces in the Catherine Wheel. Then, by chance in the RAH,
> bumped into Mimi.. and this is where she unwittingly played a part in the
> story, because afterwards me and a friend went looking for her.. and
> before we could catch her, there she was going backstage. Which is fine
> for her, and frustarting for us, for the security as you can imagine was
> tight. Then, by immaculate chance, we were given two priceless Guest
> passes for the after show 'party'.. actaully given them.. we just blinked
> in amazement and couldn't believe our luck. Now we're no more deserving
> than anyone else here but we had to take our chances so we drew big breth,
> looked like we belonged, and strode in with purpose.

> The after show was downstars. A mix of ages were there. Media people, but
> very few fans by the look so on that level we felt well within in our
> rights to be there.. real heart felt fans rather than media sychophants.

> We took a seat. And, by chance, happened to sit at the table next to where
> Linder Sterling and a small entourage were privately chatting amongst
> themselves. We exchanged small talk amongst ourselves and spoke to a
> couple of people associeted with the support acts (roadie for the Thrills
> one of them) and a lovely girl who lent me her pen. We was not prepared
> for this to happen and then, like a dream, it unfolded before us.

> First Gary Day appaeared. Black t-shirt, Covered in tattoos .. every inch
> a 60's rocker from the beach at Brighton. Wasn't quite sure of the social
> ettiquette of the ocacssion but thought ahh, what the hell, Morrissey
> won't be here, so may as get him to sign the ticket.. So asked Gary to
> sign and I've never met a bigger cockney than him.. brilliant, even if the
> 'f*cking pen was f*cked' to quote him as the ink wouldn't flow at first.
> So thanked him and went back to our table before somone brushed past my
> back.. and was followed by a big Ameriacn minder. It was Morrissey. the
> place sort of buzzedand the convesration sort of went up a notch .. but
> no-one really hassled him. A few approached and shook hands and one
> picture was taken.. but then he joined Linder and sat with his own private
> and personal friends.

> It was amazing. we were talking and trying to be oh so cool.. for it was
> really inappropriate to have down anything else than to polietly glance
> but let him have his moment of privacy. But we really could not believe it
> as our Morrissey hearts raced. Our good fortune. We consider ourselves so
> lucky.. so very lucky. It was just wonderful, for there he was.. looking
> better than he did on stage. Sort of younger dare I say in close up real
> life, despite the flcks of grey on the side of his head. He was relaxed.
> He had his own tour t-shirt on with the motorhead style Morrissey logo
> on.. and a dark jacket. He joked and smiled. And we were just feet from
> his distinguished profile. His chiselled jaw and proud forehead. A man who
> had touched our lives with his words, his poetry and his charisma.

> Just to further paint the detailed picture for you, Boz arrived shorly
> afterwards, and said hello to Morrissey and gave his shoulder an
> affectionate squeeze.. I am sure Alain was there but didnt see where he
> was.

> Sorry, back to the tale, so, after about 30 mintues, Morrissey got up
> without too much pre-amble to leave. A young couple pressed a copy of
> maladjusted into his hand and he signed.. and then we just couldn't hold
> back.. and approached him and asked him to sign our tickets. Which he did.
> He even signed the ticket with Gary Days name on it making a amusing
> remark that he gets everywhere. And I said something like 'and wear shirts
> that tear more easily' (as I nured bruised fist from the shirt melee) but
> couldn't say anything else. Anything else to say would have been
> superfluous, and then my friend came forward, she is one of the biggest
> Morrissey fans I know, and thanked him for everything and fundamentally
> just for 'being him' and gave him a kiss on the cheek.. which she will die
> with on her mind I am sure.

> And then he was gone.

> We were dumb struck. How can you beat this experience? And then we left
> and there were people outside as we passed still clutching their pens and
> paper.. and we realised we still had our mock celebrity status as they all
> turned to us as we left and asked if he was still in there.. and despite
> our honest statement that he had gone.. they still hung around in hopeful
> groups clinging to the dream we had just had. We were no better than them,
> but we were luckier. I cannot overstate how humble and priviledged we
> felt. And I write this not a big headed way.. but just to share a moment
> in our lives that will live forever and hopefully you can (if you want it
> ) experience yourself.

> Peace and love and harmony.
> Ruffian

> PS, For the record, as part of a previous debate, I'd say he was about
> 5'10. I was taller than him for sure!

> Then, by immaculate chance, we were given two priceless Guest
> passes for the after show 'party'.. actaully given them.. we just blinked
> in amazement and couldn't believe our luck.

From whom did you receive the guest passes?!

I've anxiously hovered around the wrong side of backstage doors often enough in my day to know that they don't just hand these out to random people.

Regardless, I'm really happy for you!!

Waaaaaahhhhhhh! Waaaahhhhhhh! Waaaahhhhhhh! Thud thud thud Waahhhhhh! Waaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!! Stomp Stomp Stomp Snnnfff! Snnnnnnfff! Snnffffffff!

It should have been meeeeeeeee!!!!!

(jealousy is NOT an attractive quality, I know)

> I have now calmed down after an exhausting and emotionally draining two
> nights. Many subjects and opnions to share but this tale from Tuesday must
> be told.

> Ambled to the back stage area on Tuesday night after meeting a few
> Morrissey solo faces in the Catherine Wheel. Then, by chance in the RAH,
> bumped into Mimi.. and this is where she unwittingly played a part in the
> story, because afterwards me and a friend went looking for her.. and
> before we could catch her, there she was going backstage. Which is fine
> for her, and frustarting for us, for the security as you can imagine was
> tight. Then, by immaculate chance, we were given two priceless Guest
> passes for the after show 'party'.. actaully given them.. we just blinked
> in amazement and couldn't believe our luck. Now we're no more deserving
> than anyone else here but we had to take our chances so we drew big breth,
> looked like we belonged, and strode in with purpose.

> The after show was downstars. A mix of ages were there. Media people, but
> very few fans by the look so on that level we felt well within in our
> rights to be there.. real heart felt fans rather than media sychophants.

> We took a seat. And, by chance, happened to sit at the table next to where
> Linder Sterling and a small entourage were privately chatting amongst
> themselves. We exchanged small talk amongst ourselves and spoke to a
> couple of people associeted with the support acts (roadie for the Thrills
> one of them) and a lovely girl who lent me her pen. We was not prepared
> for this to happen and then, like a dream, it unfolded before us.

> First Gary Day appaeared. Black t-shirt, Covered in tattoos .. every inch
> a 60's rocker from the beach at Brighton. Wasn't quite sure of the social
> ettiquette of the ocacssion but thought ahh, what the hell, Morrissey
> won't be here, so may as get him to sign the ticket.. So asked Gary to
> sign and I've never met a bigger cockney than him.. brilliant, even if the
> 'f*cking pen was f*cked' to quote him as the ink wouldn't flow at first.
> So thanked him and went back to our table before somone brushed past my
> back.. and was followed by a big Ameriacn minder. It was Morrissey. the
> place sort of buzzedand the convesration sort of went up a notch .. but
> no-one really hassled him. A few approached and shook hands and one
> picture was taken.. but then he joined Linder and sat with his own private
> and personal friends.

> It was amazing. we were talking and trying to be oh so cool.. for it was
> really inappropriate to have down anything else than to polietly glance
> but let him have his moment of privacy. But we really could not believe it
> as our Morrissey hearts raced. Our good fortune. We consider ourselves so
> lucky.. so very lucky. It was just wonderful, for there he was.. looking
> better than he did on stage. Sort of younger dare I say in close up real
> life, despite the flcks of grey on the side of his head. He was relaxed.
> He had his own tour t-shirt on with the motorhead style Morrissey logo
> on.. and a dark jacket. He joked and smiled. And we were just feet from
> his distinguished profile. His chiselled jaw and proud forehead. A man who
> had touched our lives with his words, his poetry and his charisma.

> Just to further paint the detailed picture for you, Boz arrived shorly
> afterwards, and said hello to Morrissey and gave his shoulder an
> affectionate squeeze.. I am sure Alain was there but didnt see where he
> was.

> Sorry, back to the tale, so, after about 30 mintues, Morrissey got up
> without too much pre-amble to leave. A young couple pressed a copy of
> maladjusted into his hand and he signed.. and then we just couldn't hold
> back.. and approached him and asked him to sign our tickets. Which he did.
> He even signed the ticket with Gary Days name on it making a amusing
> remark that he gets everywhere. And I said something like 'and wear shirts
> that tear more easily' (as I nured bruised fist from the shirt melee) but
> couldn't say anything else. Anything else to say would have been
> superfluous, and then my friend came forward, she is one of the biggest
> Morrissey fans I know, and thanked him for everything and fundamentally
> just for 'being him' and gave him a kiss on the cheek.. which she will die
> with on her mind I am sure.

> And then he was gone.

> We were dumb struck. How can you beat this experience? And then we left
> and there were people outside as we passed still clutching their pens and
> paper.. and we realised we still had our mock celebrity status as they all
> turned to us as we left and asked if he was still in there.. and despite
> our honest statement that he had gone.. they still hung around in hopeful
> groups clinging to the dream we had just had. We were no better than them,
> but we were luckier. I cannot overstate how humble and priviledged we
> felt. And I write this not a big headed way.. but just to share a moment
> in our lives that will live forever and hopefully you can (if you want it
> ) experience yourself.

> Peace and love and harmony.
> Ruffian

> PS, For the record, as part of a previous debate, I'd say he was about
> 5'10. I was taller than him for sure!

Excellent Ruff, certainly puts my Dave Baddiel experience to shame doesn't it.
The Goat told me that Linder had walked past him outside the front of the rah, he tried to get her attention re: his book & her house being in it but didn't make it, unfortunately.
Have you got a scanner, wouldn't mind a copy of your Moz autograph for the cd, if it's possible.
Cheers (you stuffy git)
l/p/h
Grim O'G

> Excellent Ruff, certainly puts my Dave Baddiel experience to shame doesn't
> it.
> The Goat told me that Linder had walked past him outside the front of the
> rah, he tried to get her attention re: his book & her house being in
> it but didn't make it, unfortunately.
> Have you got a scanner, wouldn't mind a copy of your Moz autograph for the
> cd, if it's possible.
> Cheers (you stuffy git)
> l/p/h
> Grim O'G

OH Grim.. David Baddiel is not a bad spot!!

Will send you a scan of the guest pass and the autographs.. the autograph is different to the old block capital signatures that I recall.

If I could I'd post it here but haven't got a URL.

Ruffian

> PS, For the record, as part of a previous debate, I'd say he was about
> 5'10. I was taller than him for sure!

He is about 5'11" - I am 6'1 and a half
and have met him and have a picture standing next
to him. Anybody want to see? Email me.

Very beautiful story. You both seem very gracious about meeting him and I'm happe your wishes came true! Did your friend mimi meet him as well?

Ruffian
thank you for sharing!!!

Glad you had a good night

yours in Moz

Ruff
Your a star, cd in post tomorrow
cheers mate
Grim

well,all i can say is:wow!
what did he smell like?

After the download of the bulk of the story from Tuesday.. my friend e-mail'd me a tumble of her personal thoughts.. which I thought were sort of nice to share as well... so from the female perspective, like to add the following details/changes for your delectation!

"..But if they really need to know, yes he did smell nice and his cheek was soft and I looked him right into those wonderful blue eyes and they looked right in to mine.... and I did say good night to him as well...... and off we went for our good night. and he was actually there for about one hour......."

"...waering pinstriped jacket and jeans..."

"..and the sides were not that grey at all......"

"..an expereince not to shatter my beliefs and dreams because he is all I have (a relationship with).."

"..and Irish bloke was not a roadie, but a light technician.(!)"

And a big big big thank you (if they read this) to the guys who gave us their passes.....

The last word on the subject!
Ruffian.

> Very beautiful story. You both seem very gracious about meeting him and
> I'm happe your wishes came true! Did your friend mimi meet him as well?

Hi Unruly.. Thanks fior the kind words. Mimi was indeed there but didn't seem to make any move to meet him.

Everything seems so dull and ordinary now.
Ruffian