This must go to one of my all time favorite in-person encounters.
I heard six months ago that Bruce is going to attend a business forum here in Tampere, Finland, in the city I live in. Today around 8.20 AM I gathered my stuff and took an hour long bus drive to the venue.
9.30 I was scanning the place, looking for a backstage door. I talked to one of the security guys in front and he said that there is a door in the back and that I should try there. 2 hours went by as I stood alone, in the minus 17 degrees weather and it was snowing a bit. Luckily I had put on some proper clothes.
Around 11.40 some guys came also to the back door and I recognised that they were on the same errand as I was. A driver came out and drove off and the other fans follow in their car. I stood my ground and I was starting to feel the excitement that MAYBE there is a possibility for me to meet my favorite singer. I love Bruce's work in Maiden and also his solo stuff.
As I was there imagining in my mind a guy walked up to me and said :"You waiting for someone?" to which I said:" Yeah, Dickinson."
The next words I couldn't believe. He said :"Sorry, you missed him. He went in in a black car. I heard it from the guys who work here."
I was speechless. I damned myself for not noticing my idol. I thanked the guy for the info and started to think of going home. My girlfriend calls. I answer the phone. "I missed Bruce" I said and continued "but the white car hasn't shown up. Maybe the guy was bluffing. I'll see this through."
And I hung up the phone. Two desperate minutes passed. What will I do? It's 11.54 and Bruce is doing his thing at 6 pm. Am I going to wait that long?
Suddenly a different white car curves to the door. And I saw a quick glimpse of who is inside. A different driver. An unknown woman. A bald guy. And the one and only BRUCE DICKINSON!
I opened my bag went and started to pray:" God, let him have enough time for me?"
He's two meters away from me.
"Mr. Dickinson, do you have a minute?" I asked in a squiky voice.
"No, I havent got" he replies. "But I can sign your stuff!"
I felt the greatest feeling ever. My favorite singer of my favorite band is a gentleman. And I'm alone with him. Well, almost alone, but I was the only fan.
I had two cd covers, a dvd cover and a magazine and Bruce signed all of them and personalized my "7th Son" cd that was already signed by Steve Harris.
I had a small chitchat with him. I told him that I had waited for him for almost 3 hours and it was bloody freezing! Bruce said:" Well, I can see that you dressed up for the occasion." I laughed and asked that could I please have also a photo taken with him. I got two!
After this he wished me all the best and told me to get home so that I wouldn't freeze my nuts off. I thanked him a thousand times and went to the bus stop screaming of joy.
The best success of all time!
This must go to one of my all time favorite in-person encounters.
I heard six months ago that Bruce is going to attend a business forum here in Tampere, Finland, in the city I live in. Today around 8.20 AM I gathered my stuff and took an hour long bus drive to the venue.
9.30 I was scanning the place, looking for a backstage door. I talked to one of the security guys in front and he said that there is a door in the back and that I should try there. 2 hours went by as I stood alone, in the minus 17 degrees weather and it was snowing a bit. Luckily I had put on some proper clothes.
Around 11.40 some guys came also to the back door and I recognised that they were on the same errand as I was. A driver came out and drove off and the other fans follow in their car. I stood my ground and I was starting to feel the excitement that MAYBE there is a possibility for me to meet my favorite singer. I love Bruce's work in Maiden and also his solo stuff.
As I was there imagining in my mind a guy walked up to me and said :"You waiting for someone?" to which I said:" Yeah, Dickinson."
The next words I couldn't believe. He said :"Sorry, you missed him. He went in in a black car. I heard it from the guys who work here."
I was speechless. I damned myself for not noticing my idol. I thanked the guy for the info and started to think of going home. My girlfriend calls. I answer the phone. "I missed Bruce" I said and continued "but the white car hasn't shown up. Maybe the guy was bluffing. I'll see this through."
And I hung up the phone. Two desperate minutes passed. What will I do? It's 11.54 and Bruce is doing his thing at 6 pm. Am I going to wait that long?
Suddenly a different white car curves to the door. And I saw a quick glimpse of who is inside. A different driver. An unknown woman. A bald guy. And the one and only BRUCE DICKINSON!
I opened my bag went and started to pray:" God, let him have enough time for me?"
He's two meters away from me.
"Mr. Dickinson, do you have a minute?" I asked in a squiky voice.
"No, I havent got" he replies. "But I can sign your stuff!"
I felt the greatest feeling ever. My favorite singer of my favorite band is a gentleman. And I'm alone with him. Well, almost alone, but I was the only fan.
I had two cd covers, a dvd cover and a magazine and Bruce signed all of them and personalized my "7th Son" cd that was already signed by Steve Harris.
I had a small chitchat with him. I told him that I had waited for him for almost 3 hours and it was bloody freezing! Bruce said:" Well, I can see that you dressed up for the occasion." I laughed and asked that could I please have also a photo taken with him. I got two!
After this he wished me all the best and told me to get home so that I wouldn't freeze my nuts off. I thanked him a thousand times and went to the bus stop screaming of joy.
The best success of all time! :D
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