Meet your heroes: yes or no?

[AfterForever]

Hey all,

We all have our idols, heroes or people who give us inspiration, especially when growing up. I was wondering wheter you should meet your idols if you have the chance..

Its an issue because it can really backfire.
For example, you spend your entire childhood worshipping somebody and when you meet him/her, he/she turns out to be a total jerk or something.. Such an situation can shatter your perspectives on reality...

On the other hand it could turn out really great. He/she might be extremely nice and down to earth and it could be one of the coolest moments of your life.

So, what is your opinion? Meet them, don't meet them? And share some stories about meeting your idols

[St.James]

The one thing I've learned over the years is celebs are just people. Some remain cool and grounded and others turn in to pampered assholes.

If you get the chance to meet someone you like or whatever go for it, but it would be best not to mention their failures, flops or absence and never get too personal, they don't know you and telling them what they do for fun or eat for breakfast will just freak them out and make them think you are nuts.

But yeah, meeting someone you've loved or idolized can make you leave wondering why they're such dicks.

[Stinkbug]

It probably depends on if you are ready to realize that all people are human and thus they are not perfect. Over the years I have learned to not put anyone on too high of a pedestal, because you will eventually be disappointed. It doesn't mean that they aren't nice people or they aren't great at what they do, but they are just people. A chance meeting may not reveal their true character, but then again it might.

[~K~]

Well I've been really lucky in this respect as I've met a ton of musicians I've admired over the years. 95% are really cool and act like human beings ..the others just proved they don't deserve the fame imo ..

The key that I've learned over time is to not be falling down kiss ass impressed. Just talk to them like you would any person and they respond to that.

I was walking through NAMM getting a beer with Mike Shannon. If you know who Mike is then he has a certain amount of noteriety.. the key is understanding your music history ..As we were walking through the aisle with our beers a fan of Mikes approached and began to fall over all him calling him a god, the man etc etc etc. After he walked away I just looked over at Mike and asked..ever get tired of having your ass kissed? He just laughed.. To know Mike is simple.. He just is an avg guy who builds guitars for a living and was lucky enough to build for some legends.. no more no less.. At the end of the day it is a paycheck for him and he's just a guy...

most of the musicians I've met are like that with the exception of a few constantly pimping their stuff to make money (cough cough Kulick). Then there's the ones that if you aren't kissing their ass they want nothing to do with you...

[guitarsjb]

Meet em. Just remember they are human, and very well may be an asshole. I got the pleasure of meeting Johnny Cash 3 times, and he was an amazingly humble man. Now if I had met him in the 60's, I'm sure he would have been more of an asshole. He remembered me every time, we talked mostly about life in general. June was very nice too. Only got to see her once. Go for it, but be realistic.

[wilkinsi]

every celeb musician i've met is so up their own ass. i would like to meet a porn star like sophie sweet or april summers though. could change my perspective

[Shawn Lutz]

I agree with Kevin...I too met a lot of musicians, hollwood stars and sports stars. I'm not a star struck kinda guy who puts celebs on a pedastal and never went out of my way to meet one. I think that is why I also have a favorable impression of the ones I have met. Only one guy I asked for an autograph and I felt weird asking....that was Steve Howe from Yes...cool guy btw

[eddie_van_earache]

I have no interest either way.

[beaner]

I really don't care anymore. I'd like for my son to meet Dirk Nowitzki though (basketball player). My boy is getting wrapped up in music and sports, so I'd pick and choose which ones he could meet if I had the choice.

I did meet Ozzy when I was 16. He was wierd, but very cool to me. I met Rudy Sarzo, but I thought he was Bob Daisley, so that didn't go well. I met Randy and he was the absolute coolest. So all in all I got lucky.

My roommate of a few years back met Rick Nielson. He was such an incredible asswipe. Turns out Rick knew a friend of mine (and my roommates). Our friend's a semi-well known musician from England. A BRILLIANT guitar player. Our friend has nothing but good things to say about Rick, even though Rick sorta sucks on guitar IMHO. When the mutual friend was mentioned Rick had some snide ass remark to the effect of " is he still stung out..." or some such shitty drug reference. We've all known people that have had a drug problem. My friend has cleaned up completely and there was no reason for Rick to say something like that. What a dick.

So yeah, it's a crap shoot when meeting anyone famous.

[eddie_van_earache]

I have no interest either way.

[hippietim]

vai is amazing in person. he is the most gracious celeb i've met. that was great because he is my musical hero.

[Endrik]

yup Tim, Vai is a cool dude, he laughed when I wanted him to tour with DLR again.

[horns666]

Heroes..ehhh..I dunno.

I met alot of important people, they all come then POOF gone...it's cool at the time.

I met some of my favorite players..Satch wore my police badge on occassion , haven't seen that in a while..that's all cool and shit..but

I would REALLY like to meet you silly fukers !!

I know some here would love to meet and hang with me..now, THAT would be fun IMO!!

[JRE]

I met Ron at NAMM.

I'm done now.

[semagic]

i've met a few people that have inspired me at some point in my life, fortunately they were really down to earth people (which is why i admired them i guess). some of my friends haven't been as lucky as me though. so if i had my choice i would say no... i would rather admire from a distance, than meet them and be disappointed.