BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met

Subject: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 Jan 05 - 11:52 PM

Well, I tried to make the "The most obnoxious famous person YOU'VE met" but it was too long.

I haven't met too many famous people, at least ones you'd be likely to recognize.

But the most obnoxious one I ever met was R. Buckminster Fuller. I had dinner with him. He could not make dinner conversation, and could only be described as "full of himself" and simply rude.

Who's yours?

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Little Hawk
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 12:11 AM

Hmmm. I had a friend who always called him "Fuckminster Buller". Perhaps he had had a similar experience to yours...

The most obnoxious person I have EVER met was my uncle Harry...but he wasn't famous. He just acted like he was. :-)

I still hope to meet Woody Allen, though, so I can compare notes.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: CarolC
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 12:20 AM

I would say organist Virgil Fox, if he hadn't been so outrageously amusing when I met him. I was on my way into the ladies' room at the Kennedy Center in DC during intermission at one of his concerts. There were a few other women lined up outside the ladies' room waiting while a man guarded the door. He explained that the mens' room wasn't working and Mr. Fox had to use the ladies' on an emergency basis.

Eventually, he came out of the ladies' room and apologized so profusely and grandly (and he was dressed so flamboyantly), that I was too amused to be annoyed.

Now, the two actual most obnoxious famous people I've met, I don't want to tell you about because too many people in this forum hold them in high regard.

;-)

(Neither of them are peope who post here.)

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: open mike
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 12:32 AM

funny-- most times i have seen restrooms used by opposite sex
is at large public gatherings (concerts and such) where the
line at the women's room is twice a s long a s the guys and
so a take-over action was managed!

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Little Hawk
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 12:37 AM

You've met SHATNER, Carol???????????!! :-)

Or was it Dylan? Go ahead, I can take it. Lots of people have found Bob to be obnoxious under certain circumstances. Doesn't bother me.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Teresa
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 01:00 AM

Ohhhhh, not Buckminster Fuller!

Oh, shoot, Rappaire has created an ingenious thread. Now I won't be able to stop reading it, and it makes me very uncomfortable to do so. I don't want all my idols shattered, since, as far as I know, I haven't met any famous folk yet. Unless some on the 'cat are famous, and I don't know their right names.

Ok, I think I'd better be good and stay off of this one. Heh. :>

Teresa

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Teresa
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 01:06 AM

Ok, can't resist another comment ... I've met famous people, but they were all nice to me! :) I've only met a few truly obnoxious people. They are famous to me for being obnoxious. :-P

Teresa

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Little Hawk
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 01:06 AM

Chongo Chimp is famous among primates, and he can be totally obnoxious at times. But...he can also be courageous, helpful, and gallant, and he naturally sticks up for the underdog, the weak, and the oppressed.

You gotta take the bad with the good, I figure.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: dianavan
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 02:39 AM

I have met some famous people but they weren't obnoxious at all.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Kaleea
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 03:28 AM

The "famous" persons I have met have mostly been Musicians. The vast majority are wonderful folks. Every now & then I suppose, one might come across one as I did in a Jazz fest week some years back which my university held with the Musicians teaching various workshops, masterclasses, and of course, performing in concerts. One guy in particular refused to be onstage with any Musicians other than his band, refused to teach masterclasses or workshops and left that to his band members, refused to be a part of anything having to do with students or professors--would not allow them to speak to him, and was a total donkey's p'toot toward everyone, including many of his band members. After that I held little or no respect for Buddy Rich.
    Once, many years ago, my family band was playing backup on a tour with several 50's artists. They were delightful & fun people--except for one, who was deliberately quite nasty to all backup Musicians & many of the other headliners. Chubby Checkers said it was beneath him to converse with the "riff raff *#@%^+*>~#*#*!!"

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: kendall
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 07:00 AM

Stan Rogers, A crashing boor.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: gnu
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 07:16 AM

Gasp... choke... gasp again. Was he hungover, Kendall ?

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 07:49 AM

I've met some obnoxious people and they weren't famous at all.
:0)

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: polaitaly
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 07:52 AM

I've met a lot of people who were famous for being obnoxious.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: khandu
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 08:06 AM

Of all the "famous" ones I have met, which include Chuck Norris, Steve McQueen, Roberta Flack, Gene Simmons, George Bush, Harry Lee Wigley & Harry Houdini (whom I met quite recenty at a seance!), none were obnoxious. Colorful, maybe...flamboyant, certainly,...obnoxious, no. Except for Shatner & the BOB.

I must say Harry Lee Wigley was the most impressive, or perhaps it is best to say "awe-inspiring"!

k

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Leadfingers
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 08:12 AM

As a Short Trousered twelve year old , I lived in Blackpool and spent a lot of time hanging round Stage Doors getting autographs . A lot of the 'Stars' were really nice people ( this was in the early fifties)
but some werent ! Jimmy Edwards had NO time at all for the people who let him drive around in a fancy car .

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 08:18 AM

Arnold Ziffle, the pig from "Green Acres". Try to carry on a normal conversation with the guy and all you get in return is "Snort, grumph, oink, whee!" And he's always knocking back catered swill and not even offering you any. The guy's a real pig.

But seriously... All the nationally or internationally famous people I've met have been musicians and they've all been quite nice. At least when they've been sober. There's a handful of well-known bluegrassers who've been know to get a snootful, stumble out of their tour buses, join in parking-lot jams, and promptly take them over. A fellow whose initials are J.M. comes to mind.

On the other hand, I've met a fair number of "locally famous" radio and television "personalities" and have found every one of them to be obnoxious. But, since I despise both television and commercial radio I may just be letting my prejudices show.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Crystal
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 09:07 AM

Nicolas Parsons is apparently rather obnoxious.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Rapparee
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 09:13 AM

Let me add that in my experience Famous Folks are, by and large, damned nice and decent people whether they are musicians or not.

For the other librarians out there -- I'm dealing right now with a delightful lady named Nancy Pearl. Yes, the author of "Book Lust" and the original of the action figurine. I've also had dealings with Fred Kilgore, Al Trezza, Susan Baird Epstein, Will Manley, and others -- all are nice folks.

For the non-librarians -- that's what I meant when I said that you've probably never heard of them.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 09:39 AM

Re Kaleea's post about Buddy Rich above, Rich's obnoxiousness is legendary. That's what happens when you let a drummer think he's a musician.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 09:51 AM

Does interaction over the Internet count as "meeting" people?

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 10:14 AM

Mickey Mantle

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Little Hawk
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 10:18 AM

My feeling is that Shatner is a really strong contender here. Really strong. Time will tell if I am right.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: GUEST,Lovely
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 11:05 AM

Jim Davidson, English comedian{?}

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 11:14 AM

I was once held in thrall by a little old octagenarian lady who was teaching a small group of us how to speak in public. Over dinner that night, several of us tried to get her to dish the dirt on the politicians and celebrities that she had coached. She, being a consumate and discreet professional, would do nothing of the sort, but she did finally relent and admit that Jeremy Paxman had been 'challenging'. That word spoke volumes.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 11:24 AM

Had to think about this a while. In the early 1980s I worked as a naturalist at a cave in the Mammoth Cave area in Kentucky. Every so often the famous and near famous would pull off the highway to stretch their legs and take a tour. With my (radio listening and album purchasing) musical interest pretty well focused on classical, and my childhood background around traditional English, Irish, Scottish and American folks songs, I would have been thrilled if Richard Dyer-Bennett, Izak Perlman or Beverly Sills had come through, but that never happened (at least not on my watch).

A fellow named Mayf Nutter turned up there with an actress who (a fellow guide was pleased to inform me) played Boss Hogg's secretary on The Dukes of Hazzard. Real prime celebrity for rural Kentucky back then, so of course I didn't have a clue as to who either of them were. Nutter's apparent claim to fame is as a former member of the New Christy Minstrels (he doesn't appear on this list, but I'm sure this who he said he performed with). He seemed to think I should know who he was, and clearly my idea of "folk music" and his were something different, as became apparent with my polite query about his musical oeuvre. As a conversational gambit discussing folk music did not go over well and he seemed pretty puffed up about his importance in the Nashville music scene. I remember having an autographed 4-color personal photo postcard pressed into my hand.

On the other hand, a group that was apparently quite big at the time called Triumph (who I again had never heard of) came through, and though they were a bit jumpy at first, apparently accustomed to being recognized, they relaxed and were quite a lot of fun on the tour. Since it was a quiet day they were the only ones on the tour, which helped. It turned out that in their performances in New York City they'd worked with the same group of concert organizers that I dealt with when I worked there as an Urban Park Ranger who worked at concerts in the parks. I mentioned one guy's name, a large man who despite his longshoreman looks, made wonderful lemonade that he would share with friends during those hot days of setting up the stage. The woman in the group responded "you mean Lurch?" and I had to admit I'd also had the thought that he was a Ted Cassidy look-alike, but never would have called him that to his face. She had the sad job of telling me that my friend had died suddenly of a heart attack the year before. Who'd have thought that a tour with the rich and famous would end up with the transmission of the personal and local information?

I concur on some of the remarks above about local TV personalities--they seem much more to suffer from the Big Fish in a Little Pond personality disorder than the big national news folks I've met over the years.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: dwditty
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 11:28 AM

I heard a radio interview with two guys who spend most of their time appraching celebrities and then rating them. Their hands down choice for the biggest asshole was Billy Crystal.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Justa Picker
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 12:21 PM

Lee Majors and Hal Linden.
Unbelievable!!!

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: kendall
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 12:34 PM

Stephen King. Not exactly obnoxious, but he only has time for the females.At least that was my impression of him the one time I met him at a democrat rally. Maybe he sensed that I wasn't impressed with him as a author.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Chris Green
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 01:20 PM

Bernard Manning. He did a a gig at a pub near where I live. He is the most genuinely repellent person I have ever come across, famous or otherwise, and I for once I found myself regretting the tightness of the gun laws in this country as I would cheerfully have shot him. I would then have attended the funeral in order to be the first to piss on his grave.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Cool Beans
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 01:42 PM

As a journalist I've met many celebrities, interviewed a bunch more by phone and, to a man, and woman, all have been at least cordial, including the famously prickly Uta Hagen (in person) and the aforementioned Billy Crystal (by phone).
    Most obnoxoious, and it may not have been her fault, was Olympia Dukakis. She was going to perform in my city and her representative said (by e-mail) that Ms. Dukakis was far too busy to speak to the likes of me but would answer written questions. I replied that Ms. Dukakis could go bag her ass, though I expressed it more politely.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Justa Picker
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 02:23 PM

Kendall,
If you were Steven King, would you rather to you,
or a pretty, intelligent, nicely shaped female? :-)

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Justa Picker
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 02:24 PM

talk

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 02:29 PM

I too have worked with many celebrities over the years through my "day job" in television production.   I have found that celebrities are just as obnoxious as anyone else.   Why single out celebrities?   Is it okay for the check out person at Stop & Shop to be obnoxious because they aren't famous?   The neighbor who screams at kids not to step on her lawn is probably more obnoxious than Billy Crystal.

Earlier in this discussion I added Mickey Mantle to the list. When I was a kid I saw him outside of Yankee Stadium. He walked THROUGH a herd of kids (myself included) without saying a word and nearly knocked over one kid.   Because he was Mickey Mantle, I thought he was the rudest human being on the face of the earth.   Far from it.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 02:31 PM

Well, when Bush Sr was the veep for ole Reagan, he (Bush) came to Dad's memorial service (shared with the other 16 Americans killed in the first bombing of any of our embassies) and acted like he was at a picnic. I was reminded of that when Cheney went to the Holocaust memorial service dressed for casual fun...

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 02:41 PM

Well Princess Anne annoyed me one time - a disabled friend of ours waited in the rain and cold an hour or so to see her, and she didn't even wave to the little bunch of people who came to see her. But I suppose she has people all over the place wanting to see her, still it would have been nice of her just to smile and wave.

I can't remember anybody famous being obnoxious. It would be fascinating to know what Bernard manning did that pissed you off so much . A controversial character.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: PoppaGator
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 03:18 PM

Buddy Rich is indeed famous for being supremely obnoxious. There is a legendary audio tape of him berating his band members while on the bus traveling from one gig to the next where he is so vicious, petty, and obscene that it is difficult to believe that the tape is not a parody, not some kind of joke. But it is supposedly real, taped secretly by one of the band members who *knew* no one would believe what was going on unless he could produce documentation.

Copies of the tape were circulating among jazz and rock musicians years ago. I think the tape dates back at least to the '70s, maybe even the 60s. I can't testify that I've heard it first hand, but my brother, who I trust absolutely, swears he has first-hand knowledge of it, so I'm confident that this is not an "urban legend." (I *think* I remember having heard excerpts, but it's been a long long time and I'm not really clear on that memory. I know I've listened to guys *quoting* some of Rich's more colorful outbursts, as purportedly learned from the legendary tape.)

All the celebrities I've actually met myself have been nice enough, some extremely gracious, some passably indifferent. When I worked as a movie extra for a week or so, I had some limited contact with Dennis Quaid and Kathleen Turner; I heard a lot of gossip about how obnoxious Quaid was supposed to be, but didn't witness any of his bad behavior myself. (Didn't see him being especially nice, either ~ just aloof.) Ms. Turner, on the other hand, was quite gracious.

Shall I drop some names? I once had dinner with Timothy Leary; once got a ride hitchhiking from NBA luminary Phil Jackson (back when he was a player, not yet a coach); once sat up all night picking and grinning with Fred MacDowell (a life-changing experience); and had brief encounters with a number of other blues artists visiting my college campus, including JB Hutto, Mance Lipscolm, Hound Dog Taylor and Phil Guy (brother of Buddy). All were nice as could be.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: GUEST,heric
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 03:25 PM

I gave Gordie Howe a ride once, when he asked for directions in downtown Vancouver. He was very nice, but I don't think he laughed hard enough at my joke telling my wife, sitting next to him, to watch out for his elbow. (She thought he was some old fart with a sore elbow.)

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Jim Tailor
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 03:27 PM

The most obnoxious famous person I ever met was this Hollywood starlet who starred in a sit-com that I really enjoyed.

So, I started to write her fan letters to let her know that I really liked her work on TV, and that her eyes were real pretty and I imagined that she smelled good....and that I imagined that every night.

I soon found out her email address through a fan website and so I found that it was faster to email (and more earth-friendly too -- as I was wasting at least 1 ream of paper per month to send the letters via snail mail).

I would find out venues where she might attend -- openings, plays, photo ops, -- and I would park outside and wait for her along with the paparazzi people. When I would see her I would scream her name. I think she looked over at me once. That was when I got my first inkling that she might be, you know, obnoxious. She wasn't smiling at my obvious affection.

She really showed her true colors though, when I went through all the trouble of finding the address to her summer home. I spent most of one afternoon, and all of that night writing "I LOVE YOU" in red paint on her sidewalk to greet her when she arrived home. Did she appreciate the effort though? Yeah, the snob appreciated me with a restraining order.

The obnoxious bitch.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: kendall
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 03:30 PM

I never met Hank Snow or Jimmy Martin, but I hear from many people that they were both assholes.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Peace
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 03:32 PM

Jim,

Good piece of writing. LMAO.

Bruce M

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Rustic Rebel
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 03:52 PM

I've met many musicians also, but I think Mel Schaiher, bassist for grand Funk Railroad was probably the most obnoxious. Could have had something to do with us getting drunk together after a show and he thought I was going to be a 'giving groupie' It didn't happen the way he thought it would. This was many years ago.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Bill D
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 03:57 PM

yep...Hank Snow is one I have heard about, though I can't say from experience---

I met Marion Barry, ex crack smoking mayor of DC, in a crowd once, and HE sure was an example of someone who looked right through you when you didn't seem important.

In the folkie realm, 'most' have been pretty nice. I was a bit put off by Gerry Hallom from Australia the one time I saw him...he seemed pretty stand-offish and smug--but I can't say it was enough to be labeled obnoxious.

gee...if that's all I can think of, I guess I've had a good time, hmmm?

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: GUEST,Obie
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 04:23 PM

My daughter visited London a few years back and The Queen didn't even have the decency to invite her to tea. I got even though a couple of years later when The Queen visited Cape Breton. I didn't invite her to tea either. :-}

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Once Famous
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 04:47 PM

Jimmy Martin will spit in your eye.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 04:56 PM

I think, so far as folk performers are concerned a list of people who come across as pretty good to meet would be a lot longer.

I can only think of one bunch of well-regarded folk performers who really stuck me as nasty, when I saw the way they treated a less sucessful band they were sharing a gig with. That sharp-elbowed, on-the-make impression you sometimes get. But I won't mention their name, because it was years ago, and perhaps it was a one-off, and they were on the early rungs of the ladder and so forth...

However I do know, it's still left a nasty taste in my mouth after all these years, and I've never bought a record of the people concerned, and if they're on at the same time as some other people, I tend to go to listen to the other people.

There's the Auden quote, which seems to sum up this kind of thing -

Private faces in public places
Are wiser and nicer
Than public faces in private places

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: DougR
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 05:00 PM

I have met lots of celebrities because of my work (when I worked). The least likable was Gregory Peck. Five of the most likable were Eddy Arnold, Robert Wise, Charlton Heston, James Earl Jones and Harper Lee.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: SINSULL
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 05:01 PM

I met Mayor Dinkens of NYC once. It was at a Fourth of July fireworks display. There were porta-potties set up just outside the viewing area. As I waited on line, his limo drove up, he hopped out (clean hanky in hand) and started shaking hands with the people on line. He thought we were a reception committee.

When he got to me I said "I don't care who he is, he isn't getting ahead of me on line." As he realized his mistake, he got very angry at his staff and stormed off. No sense of humor.

Koch would have managed to save face with a quip.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: GUEST,A-Nony-mous
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 05:27 PM

One summer bout 20 years ago, I worked for a company that booked large musical gatherings of all kinds- rock n' roll, country, that sort of thing. Usually had at least 20 bands over a 2-3 day weekend, and at least 50k people. My job started out as one of the "problem solvers" that tried to keep everything on track, esp when something went wrong. After a couple weeks, I got a "promotion" in pay to take a different job. When one (or more) of the performers got pi**ed off, they were to call me and I'd go listen to them. That's all, just listen. Wasn't supposed to say anything, just stand there and say things like, "you're right", "I'm sorry", "That shouldn't have happened" That sorta thing. It was supposed to let them get it out of their system and calm them down before their time on stage, or get them to be rational before bringing in my boss so they didn't holler at him.

I found out something interesting to me. I'd say about 80% of the cause of their uproar and anger was because of obnoxious fans. So since that time, I've given professional's a little more latitude about their behavior because it may not be all their fault.

There are some, however, that are so full of themselves that they think everyone else is inferior.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Little Hawk
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 05:40 PM

I've met a few very likeable celebrities. I guess the most likeable was Buffy Sainte-Marie. Have met her on 3 occasions.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: GUEST,heric
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 05:56 PM

Outside her summer home?

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Little Hawk
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 05:59 PM

No, at various festivals and concert halls. She has a home in Kauai, I believe...

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: CarolC
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 06:32 PM

LH, I've never met Shatner (at least not that I'm aware of).

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 07:13 PM

I'd go for Robert Maxwell or Geoffrey Archer. Only ever met them on the phone, and that was way too close.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Little Hawk
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 07:15 PM

That's terribly sad, Carol! :-) Actually, neither have I.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: GUEST,the ghost of Stan Rogers
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 07:24 PM

Why, Kendall Morse, of course!

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Maryrrf
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 07:37 PM

Cathie Ryan behaved very rudely to a sound tech at a festival once. He didn't have the kind of microphone she wanted (and had specified in her contract), but it wasn't his fault, it was the organizers of the festival who didn't provide the right equipment. As a matter of fact, the sound tech was a volunteer and doing his best with what he had. He worked patiently with her but she talked down to him like a dog and was very insulting - not vulgar but condesending. He was totally disgusted when she made a point of sweetly thanking the sound crew when she was up on stage in front of the audience, after she had acted in such a way when nobody was looking.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Nancy King
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 07:43 PM

Barbara Bush (the matriarch, not the first daughter) visited the library where I was working (the Special Needs Library in Montgomery County, MD, which serves people with disabling conditions), during the time she was First Lady. The whole event was planned to a fare-thee-well, and was a rather surreal experience. I guess I can't blame Mrs. B. for the fact that the whole staff had to stand in the stairwell for at least an hour and a half beforehand,while the bomb-sniffing dogs did their thing, but I thought her behavior during the actual event was downright rude.

We had brought in some of our best, most articulate clients and volunteers to demonstrate the various services we provided. One of them was a very nice, very presentable young man about 16 or 17 years old; he was learning disabled and was to demonstrate the Kurzweil reading machine, which reads text aloud for people who can't read print. He had chosen a copy of Time Magazine, with George-the-Elder signing the Americans With Disabilities Act on the cover, as the text he'd use to demonstrate the machine. Pretty damned appropriate, I thought. He was introduced to her, and she gave him a handshake and a phony smile. But when he brought out the magazine to start the demonstration, she snatched it out of his hands, slapped it face down on the table, and said, "Oh, we don't like Time!" The poor kid was absolutely devastated.

I've never been able to feel positive about her since then.

Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 08:03 PM

Bernard Manning does it for me too. When God put teeth in his mouth, he ruined a perfectly good arsehole.

A local comedian was asked "What would you do if you were locked in a room with Hitler, Stalin, and Bernard Manning, and given a gun with only two cartridges"? He replied, "I would shoot Manning twice".

Works for me.

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Steve-o
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 08:04 PM

I "met" Miles Davis in the men's room at the Hollywood Bowl (standing at urinals next to each other). Then I sat in my seat (close-up and expensive) for his two-hour concert which he played completely with his back turned to the audience. Talk about obnoxious.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: dianavan
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 09:52 PM

Miles Davis, hmmm.... Arrogant perhaps but not obnoxious. Met him once and he told me I never had to clap for anybody ever again. I thought it was a strange thing to say. I can only assume that he thought he was omnipotent. Maybe he was trying to tell me to act more dignified or aloof or something.   

Anyway - I do clap and sometimes I even whistle.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 10:27 PM

Maryrff - I have worked with Cathie Ryan on several occasions as an MC and she has been a guest on my radio program, and I have never witnessed the behavior that you experienced.   At one venue, a similar circumstance occured - the mic wasn't right, the speakers were giving feedback, the band could not hear themselves on stage, and the soundperson was stubborn and arguementative.   I must say she handled herself professionally. I would say that Cathie is one of the nicest performers I've ever met.

This is an example why I have a problem with this thread.   I am sure that most of us have dealt with obnoxious people in the course or our jobs.   Because we aren't "famous", we simply deal with it. What you witnessed was obnoxious in your eyes, but I am sure that ALL of us have dealt in similar fashion when we face an obstacle in doing our jobs.   "What, no paper for the copier?" "How am I supposed to work if the computers are down? WHere is that *(#$&($ IT Department?" "Another customer said I did not give out the proper change. What nerve!!".

Cathie is very concerned with how her music is heard by an audience that pays money to see her.    If her performance is going to be altered because of a cheap mic or an incompetent sound person, she damn well better get pissed!    The sound person isn't the customer.

While it may be fun for us to rub elbows with the famous, most of them are just trying to do their job.   Try to put yourself in their shoes for a few minutes.   Sure they are getting paid to be "famous", but are we not getting paid to do our jobs?   If we are honest with ourselves, I am sure we have all been obnoxious at one time or another.   Let's just hope people don't start threads about us!!

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Wrinkles
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 10:48 PM

Paul Brady and Van Morrison.

I've met many famous folk in my time, both as a warm-up act and as sub-editor for Ulster Folk News. Most were very nice people; I remember my chats with Don Mclean and Tom Paxton with fondness.

A lady I know who used to run the infamous Troubador's contemporary night ranked Bob Dylan and Harry Chapin as the two rudest famous folk she'd ever dealt with.

Wrinkles

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: dianavan
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 11:02 PM

Wrinkles - How dare you name Van Morrison as obnoxious!

I have heard this from many but I really think that he is demanding because he wants the audience to get what they paid for. I also think that when you consider the number of concerts and the number of recordings he has produced, you have to admit that he probably doesn't have much time to BS.

Besides that, he's a little moody at the best of times.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 11:24 PM

CLICK HERE to hear that "Buddy Rich Bitches Out Band On Bus" tape. For mature audiences only.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: GUEST,ragdall
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 01:16 AM

W.P. Kinsella, author of Shoeless Joe Jackson Comes to Iowa, on which the movie, Field of Dreams, was based. It was a big disappointment because I had thoroughly enjoyed reading many of his books.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Maryrrf
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 08:53 AM

I stand by my Cathie Ryan story because I saw her and heard what she said to the tech. She was rude. Maybe she was having a bad day.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 09:25 AM

I never said your version of the story was wrong Maryrrf, I just asked that you place yourself in her shoes. Sounds like she was having a very bad day from your description. Was it rude for the festival promoters to promise her mic's and/or equipment and then not deliver, without even an explanation? The sound person, even if it was a volunteer, is the representative of the festival to the performer. If the volunteer had any sense, he or she would have contacted someone to mediate the situation.      

Again, I am sure if you or I are placed in a similar situation in our daily jobs, we also react rudely - often without realizing how our behavior is being perceived.   Everyone should be able to perform their job with the tools they need, and the support of the team they work with. If something falls out of place, we react. Whatever Cathie did that day was a reaction to a situation that you saw one side of. I'm not approving anyones rude behavior, but I do try to look at what may be the root of it.   Your comments of Cathie paint her to be a rude person, which she is not.   To someone who doesn't know her and then read your comments, they will form an impression. Your opinion, as well as mine, are simply opinions. I just urge caution and attempts at understanding before publicily making statements about anyone.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Big Mick
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 10:10 AM

I'm with Ron (AGAIN) on this one. I know Cathie Ryan, have been in Festivals with her, helped her book festivals, had dinner with her and the band,and would hazard the following. Cathie is one of those performers that is intensely involved in the presentation of her music, as she loves it passionately. She feels the same way about the audience. I don't think I have ever seen a performer connect any better. Period. In all circumstances she was professional, and on the personal level she was charming, gracious and friendly.

I don't doubt that Mary saw what she saw. But as a performer, and as a person that knows Cathie, I am certain that she was very disappointed, and probably had a bad day. I am certain this has happened to most of us that perform on a professional level. Where I disagree mightily with Mary is in the characterization as the most obnoxious ever. Anyone who has met her and knows her would not only disagree, they would object strenously.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Maryrrf
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 10:34 AM

Perhaps I just didn't see that side of her. I'm out of this thread.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Big Mick
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 10:46 AM

I am sorry you feel the need to leave, because I am sure you are being genuine. I don't doubt you saw and heard whatever it was that you saw and heard. I just feel so strongly because I know this lady and have great respect for her and her gifts. This is why these types of threads are the ones that I strongly consider deleting or closing. There is no way for them to be objective, and very good and hardworking performers can have their careers damaged. Cathie Ryan is one such performer. I am sure, knowing the person she is, that she would feel badly about this.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 11:14 AM

Precisely - "Maybe she was having a bad day." And maybe Maryrrf   was having a bad day too, and the two things clicked together.

That's why I didn't put in the name of the people I mentioned, whom I thought were acting pretty obnoxiously. I don't think I've the right to pass on that subjective judgement I made. More especially when we are dealing with people within the relatively small folk world, where word of mouth really can make a difference.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Cool Beans
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 11:20 AM

Maybe not. I'd never heard of Cathie Ryan and now I'm sort of interested. But Barbara Bush's reputation is definitely ruined among Mudcatters.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 11:23 AM

Word does travel fast.   I'm not sure how many of you read "Dirty Linen". There was an article about Les Barker in a recent issue that described an incident that took place recently at a concert I was planning to MC. Les was scheduled to appear at a local coffeehouse in NJ. Someone in the area found out that Les was going to appear and sent a very nasty letter to the directors of the coffeehouse, the church, and the local media. Les made a comment about Israel at an anti-war rally that this one individual took to be anti-semitic.   You can read if for yourself at Les's website.   I do not think it was anti-semitic at all, but apparently if you make a comment about a government or a country, this individual takes it different way.   The letter that this individual wrote scared the church and they asked, or rather ordered, the coffeehouse to withdraw the opportunity to perform.   While it may be easy to brush this off as one individuals opinion, it caused a furor and it may also come back to haunt Les when he applies for a visa.

During the McCarthy era, performers would be blacklisted from television and radio because a few individiuals spread rumors.

Of course these are extreme examples, but as Big Mick and McGrath point out, this is a small community and a reputation AND a career could be jeopardized.   Supposing a coffehouse promotor read some of these comments and becomes scared off from inviting the performer.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 11:24 AM

www.cathieryan.com

One of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard.   She is a delightful performer and one of the nicest people I've ever met through folk music. I urge everyone to check out her website and go see her in concert!!

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Big Mick
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 11:39 AM

Cool Beans, it is interesting that you haven't heard of Cathie. She was the original singer with Cherish The Ladies, and is originally from New York.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 11:43 AM

actually, she is originally from Detroit. She lives in New York State currently.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 11:43 AM

.... she is also a great songwriter, and I wish she would do more of it!

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Big Mick
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 11:46 AM

Damn, Ron, that is what I meant to say. Cool Beans is from Detroit, but I must have been thinking about where she lives now. And she is a marvelous songwriter. One more thing, I think she is one of the hardest working performers I have ever seen.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 11:54 AM

agreed!!

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Thompson
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 11:57 AM

Roald Dahl. I met him professionally, and the first thing I said after we introduced ourselves was "I'm a real fan of your writing."

He said: "Oh, that wouldn't matter to Me."

His manners went downhill from there.

Mind you, this is a man who had tragedy in his life - for one thing, his toddler was terribly brain-injured in a traffic accident while being walked in his pram. And Dahl himself, an engineer by training, then designed the shunt that relieves pressure on the brain, which is now used by millions of people around the world, and saves endless distress.

I suppose the thing is, I can be pretty obnoxious myself if you catch me on a bad day. I try not to be, but every now and again I turn into a real stinker for about 15 minutes. I wouldn't want to be judged by those 15 minuteses, but if I were famous, no doubt I would be!

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Bert
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 12:24 PM

Let me see... A performer needs a specific microphone... Then expects someone else to provide it... Hmmm...

That's not how I work. If I just HAD to have one special microphone I think I'd slip one in my pocket so that I'd be sure of having it when I needed it. (I used to love that old Reslo ribbon mic, gave me a nice deep brown sound.) That's what being a professional is all about.

Otherwise I'd cheerfully accept whatever the sound man has. Most sound men are better than singers at choosing equipment anyway.

I remember one occasion where the sound set up was for a band and it didn't suit a solo performer very well. The poor sound guy, also a volunteer, was working really hard to adjust it, and other performers had been giving him shit trying to tell him how to do his job. I worked with what was there and using a little microphone technique was able to do quite well. I was the only one to thank the guy after and it made his evening.

Which brings us to microphone technique. HOW you use a mic is much more important than which specific mic you are using. Being rude to the sound man doesn't improve your performance one little bit.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Big Mick
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 12:31 PM

Bert, I have the greatest respect for you. You are an excellent performer, and I don't disagree she made an error IF it all happened as stated.

BUT

The microphone was stipulated to in the contract. That means that everyone knew it was expected, and she had a reasonable expectation (in fact, contractural expectation) that it would be provided. Cathie is one of the great women singers in her genre in the world. Every part of the setup is important to her. Just because it makes no difference to guys like you and me, doesn't mean it's inconsequential to her. The sound person didn't deserve ire, but I repeat, if it happened that way it was totally out of character of Cathie. She is a very gracious person.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 01:28 PM

jack the Ripper - he used cut people up the wrong way....

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Bert
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 01:32 PM

I'm sure you're right Mick and it was an out of character happening.

Every famous person that I've met has been very nice and I'm sure Cathie is no exception. Maryrrf said that perhaps she was having a bad day.

It just struck me as a bit odd that if the mic was so important why didn't she bring one. Kinda like going to a gig without your guitar.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 01:35 PM

I take it this would be the Les Barker piece that caused the kerfuffle mentioned there by Ron Olesko - Questions.

Les Barker was the kind of person I had in mind when I said, up the thread, "I think, so far as folk performers are concerned a list of people who come across as pretty good to meet would be a lot longer."

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 01:43 PM

Usually at festivals here in the U.S. there are multiple stages that are setup in advance and shared. It becomes difficult to carry needed equipment such as microphones. Sure, it might make sense to carry one if it is that critical, but from what I know of Cathie I am betting there were other factors involved in her reaction.

As I said previously, I witnessed what had to be the textbook example of a "bad sound check" before a gig at a local coffeehouse. Cathie and her band did not get rude, which they would have been justified in doing based on the sound persons reaction to their issues. Not to beat this to death, but as Mick pointed out Cathie cares a great deal about the way her music sounds to the audience.   

When a person enters a contract, both parties should be liable.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: GUEST,heric
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 03:00 PM

They say Michael Jackson rubs people the wrong way.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 03:20 PM

If you are in some operation where a cock-up has happened, and it wasn't your fault, but you are the one in line to have your ear bent, there's no reason to take it personally - you are just there to receive it and pass it on to whoever is responsible.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: CarolC
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 04:56 PM

I have to agree with the previous points on the subject of professional sound techs. But when the sound tech is a volunteer, every effort should be made to not use the volunteer as a target for a performer's frustrations with the event organizers. I have been a volunteer sound tech in situations where the event organizers were not doing their jobs properly, and I have been the target of performers' ire for things I had no control over. As a result of those experiences, I have made a promise to myself that I will never, ever volunteer as a sound tech at a musical event, ever again.

When people are volunteering, a professional musician needs to remember that without those volunteers, there might not be an event in which to perform, and be as kind and as understanding of the situation the volunteer finds him or herself in as possible. The performer should just suck it up for the moment and wait to vent their anger or frustration on the organizers.

My two examples of most obnoxious famous people were both when I was volunteering as a sound tech, and providing overnight accomodations for professional performers (in my own home). Both individuals behaved like insufferable bastards, and it wasn't just because they were having a bad day. Assholes come in all sizes, shapes, genders, and professions.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 04:59 PM

Not so much a target, more a messenger, with the responsibility of passing the message on to the person who should be the target.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: CarolC
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 05:17 PM

Even a message to be passed on should be given with kindness and understanding of the volunteer's situation. However, if the performer wants to get the event organizers' attention, sending a message through a volunteer is sometimes not the best way to do it. Some event organizers don't like to listen to volunteers.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 06:43 PM

I quite agree that is how someone with reason to complain should see it, and should act. But when they don't, the best way for the recipient to see their role is as being a conduit for the complaint, rather than take it as personal, even when it sounds that way.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Chris Green
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 06:48 PM

WLD - Going back to Bernard Manning, it was because he picked on the one Asian bloke in the room and "took the piss" out of him (which is to say, subjected him to a five-minute inarticulate diatribe about why he shouldn't have turned up) and then made a big show of going up to him afterwards and saying 'a joke's a joke, mate, don't take it personally'.

I should mention at this point that this was a gig in a pub - no-one paid to get in, and I got the impression that quite a few people there were merely there to have a night out with their mates, not to be insulted by some balding, paunchy throwback.

My point is that if he hadn't been Bernard Manning, he'd have been digesting his front teeth. As it was, the Asian guy in question listened politely to what he had to say, and left in the interval. As did I. Arsehole.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: GUEST,TOG
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 07:10 PM

Anybody met Anne Robinson?

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Micca
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 07:22 PM

Ewan McColl, hands down, the scene, the late 60s The Singers Club, mcColl, Seeger, Al Lloyd, etc. Floor singer invited by the august panel to sing gets 2 lines into song, Mr McColl interrupts saying" I am not going to allow you to sing that ,it is not Traditional and this is a Traditional Singing Club". Then a bit later when MrMcColls turn came round, he sang, with great pride, a song he had written last week!!! Obnoxious and a Hypocrite.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 07:55 PM

Well i think I told this one before but at age 25 I went into the restroom at a small bluegrass festival and this man in just his shorts yells at me " Hey you give me a beer" . and I said ' Well I only have one but I'll share it with you (             Thinking the poor old homeless guy needed a beer). Well he says " Kid you dont know who I am do you?? . Im Jimmy Martin " And I said "I guess you dont know me either Im Guy Wolff you want some of this beer or not . " he was fine after that .Great voice . I enjoyed Don Reno's manners more though that day .
         Just to say . As a kid I grew up around a lot of famous people and the thing I would say was the same with all of them was they were lonely because no one ever really wanted to meet them for who they were right then. People have an idea who that famous person is and they want to have an interaction that fits with thier preconcieved notion. This dose make anyone with celebrity miss getting to be discovered for who they realy are not just meeting the fanticy needs of the person they are meeting . It can be a tough nut to crack .
             The only time I had a hard time being myself was meeting Martin Carthy. There was so much i wanted to ask him and still leave him space to prepare himself for his gig.It is harder when you are truley a FAN . He was very very nice about it at any rate . All the best to all here . Guy

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: CarolC
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 11:05 PM

I guess everyone has to make their own decisions, McGrath, but after a while, I found doing volunteer sound tech work at musical events to be too stressful and thankless for the amount of effort it required, and I just stopped volunteering. It's not uncommon for the volunteers to be the bottom rung on the ladder and be treated as having less value than everyone else, as well as being a pressure valve for both the performers and the event organizers. These days I find it much more satisfying to pay an entry fee than to be a volunteer at music festivals. And that's a shame, because many music festivals absolutely depend on the help of volunteers to survive at all.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: GUEST,heric
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 11:43 PM

I don't know if I can properly relay this true story over the internet very well, especially when I am anonymous and so is the person. But she must have been the most un-obnoxious famous ever (I got this story from a first hand witness to the exchange):

One of the richest women in the country used to volunteer at a hospital help desk. An obnoxious, arrogant fellow wasn't getting the results he wanted out of her, and sneered: "Do you know who I am??" She smiled and said: "No, do you know who I am?" He turned away disgusted at this flippant remark from the useless old lady, of course never learning who she was.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: number 6
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 11:53 PM

Back in 1967 I was introduced to Leonard Cohen by his cousin, at a gathering of sorts. Though our meeting was brief, he was courteous and accomodating.

Other than that, that was the only famous person I have actually met.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 02 Feb 05 - 02:42 PM

I'm not sure if this would be considered "obnoxious", but it is something that sticks with me.

Many years ago I worked at a post-production facility in Manhattan. We had an intern working for us who happened to be the son of a very famous magazine publisher. His father wanted him to learn the television business because he had plans to add a television arm to his media empire.   Using his own inititive, he was practing threading a 1" video tape machine during his break. I would guess this machine cost several thousand dollars, and this was 20 years ago. The head of our engineering department walked by and saw this "kid" who was "playing" with one of his machines. He ripped into the kid and said that unless he is given permission, after being checked out, he is not to touch any equipment.   After the engineer walked away, this guy turned to me and said "I don't no why he is so upset, if I broke it I would buy him a new one".    He did not say this trying to show off or use his daddy's position, it came out as just a matter of fact comment that you or I would say if we broke someones pencil. It really pointed out the difference in our class structure.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 02 Feb 05 - 03:13 PM

Ewan MacColl published one of my first attempts at songwriting in his New City Songster magazine, and he and Peggy were never anything except very sweet, encouraging and patient with me.

He would always help with advice and his vastly superior knowledge of folksong.

I'm sorry that other peoples memories of the chap are different.

I'm sure your recollection was accurate, but I just wanted to say there was another side to that particular gentleman - and gentleman is what he always seemed to me.

Also I am accutely aware of having said nasty things about traditional purist folksingers - on the whats wrong with being a purist thread, and I honestly deeply repent my temper. All I can say is that Peggy and Ewan knew what sort of songs I wrote and they never lectured me about it.

On their recordings like Dirty Old Town there are jazz musicians like Bruce Turner - rather than contrived ethnicity.

all the best

Big Al Whittle

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: gnu
Date: 02 Feb 05 - 03:43 PM

He's that good ?

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: gnu
Date: 02 Feb 05 - 03:46 PM

Oops. My post was in response to a post some time ago. Got fouled up in the reverse display. Withdrawn.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Teresa
Date: 02 Feb 05 - 04:11 PM

I just recently met someone local to me, and we had a long conversation about science fiction and folk music. I knew he was a writer, but had not read any of his books. I've since read one and enjoyed it very much.

That experience was sure different from being in so much awe of a famous person that I'm tongue-tied. I really kind of wish I didn't get that way. I love having conversations with people as people.

Teresa

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: JohnB
Date: 02 Feb 05 - 05:13 PM

Yeah Manning was always a pr1ck, I used to live in Newton Heath, not too far from the Embassy Club in Moston which he used to own.
My wife worked with a guy who's wife worked for the Inland Revenue, so maybe this is starting off wrong. Anyhow she dealt primarily with Artistes, she reckoned Manning was the worst person she ever had to deal with. He probably paid for being an asshole with her, let's hope so.
JohnB

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: jacqui.c
Date: 02 Feb 05 - 07:00 PM

John De Lancie (Q from Star Trek).

He made a personal appearance at the Forbidden Planet - selling a book he had written. He made it quite clear that he resented having to sign the book or photos, for which fans had paid quite a lot of money. He wouldn't talk to any of the fans that day, just signed his name with a look of resignation on his face.

In contrast Bruce Boxleitner and Claudia Christian were delightful when they were signing and had time to talk to the fans.

My father had to deal with Hughie Green once and got the 'do you know who I am?' treatment. He reckoned Mr Green was the most obnoxious man he had ever met.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Terry Allan Hall
Date: 02 Feb 05 - 08:05 PM

The most obnoxious "famous" person I've ever met was country singer Trisha Yearwood...several years ago, when I was still running a group home for mentally handicapped folks, she was appearing at a local Target dept. store, hawking her own "signature" perfume (this would've been about 12 years ago)...my guys were big fans and wanted to go and get her autograph, so off we went.

After standing in line for 3 hours, on their very best behavior, they finally got up to her...T.C. (I'll just use initials...confidentiality) asked if he could give her a hug, and in a loud, clear voice, she said, "Get this G--D----- RETARD away from me!"...the pain in their eyes was crushing!

Contrast this with the late great Waylon Jennings...about 3 months later, he and his lovely wife, singer Jessie Colter, were appearing nearby and I took the guys to see them...when T.C. asked if he could give them a hug, Jennings looked him in the eye and said, "Hoss...I'd be heart-broken if you didn't!". Then, after posing for about 2 dozen pictures, he went up on stage and did the coolest thing...he announced, "I'm gonna do this for some new friends that came out to see me tonight...this is for you T.C., J.J., M.K., R.S., and your friend Terry"...and then he did "Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line".

He was truly a classy guy!

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: GUEST,heric
Date: 02 Feb 05 - 09:35 PM

that one wins by a country mile

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Maryrrf
Date: 03 Feb 05 - 10:43 AM

I haven't been on Mudcat for a few days and upon revisiting this thread, I believe I was wrong in posting the incident about Cathie Ryan. It may very well have been an isolated occurrence, not indicative of her character at all. Any number of factors may have lead up to this - a long drive, frayed nerves, etc. And it is also true that the festival itself was not very well run and that they didn't have the right equipment available. As others have pointed out, we all have our bad days and one incident of "edginess" does not make someone "obnoxious". So I truly apologize and would hope that no damage has been done. As has been pointed out, she has a beautiful voice and is a great performer and I'm sure judging from Ron and Big Mick's assessments (who actually know her as opposed to myself, who only saw her once) she is also a nice person.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 03 Feb 05 - 02:14 PM

Well put Mary!    I think we all catch performers on a bad day from time to time and those images last.   My "run-in" with Mickey Mantle when I was a kid tainted my image of him, but there may have been reasons for his behavior. It is hard to put ourselves in other shoes. That is why some artists will erupt in rude behavior - they aren't seeing the persons point.    Most of the people I know in the entertainment field are very passionate about their work - more than most people give them credit for. It is very easy to interupt their concentration.

26 years ago, I took my first job in television. I was a production assistant (go-fer)for a television pilot. It was a cultural variety show (doomed for failure from the start) and we had a major Hollywood actress signed to do a segment on Zelda Fitzgerald. (I won't mention her name, but I am sure everyone would know her name through her film work).   I was asked to tag along at a rehearsal. The rehearsal consisted of this actress, a producer and myself.   I was in awe when I met her, but I tried to act real cool. I sat down at the table and started to follow along with the script.   At one point she stopped reading, looked at me and said "tell me, just exactly what is it you do??" My mere presence was interupting her concentration. I got the message and excused myself.   I was crushed. The producer told me later that I did not do anything wrong and she was acting like a prima donna.   It did not make me feel much better.   The next week when we shot the scene, I ran into her in the hall. She gave me a big smile and said "Hi Ron, how are you today?".   That turned me around completely. It may sound innocent, but I realized that her words the week before was a professional reaction, not a personal one. The fact that she remembered my name was enough to tell me that she was not trying to demean me and she took the time to show a little respect for me.

It may not sound like much of a story, but after that I realized most celebrities are only trying to do a job. Sure, some of them have big egos - but that is not a crime.   You would be surprised at how many demands are placed on them.   They cannot simply go to a restaurant without drawing stares or requests for autographs. We expect them to be "real" people, but then we place them on a pedastal where they can't win. We are all just doing a job and sometimes our passions cloud our sense of reason.

I'm not trying to excuse obnoxious behavior. The story about Trisha Yearwood is sickening, but even still I find it hard to pass judgement. Did she hear the request properly? Did she hear something else and react the way she did?   Without all the facts, it is hard to draw a true picture of the person.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Megan L
Date: 03 Feb 05 - 03:10 PM

My dad once ended up with a centre spread in our local paper because Frank Sinatra or rather his guards had been so obnoxious to the local reporter.

I only met Hank Snow twice but on both occasions he was polite and pleasent even though he was obviously tired on one of the meetings.

but my all time darling is George Hamilton 4th what a gentle man.

Subject: RE: BS: The most obnoxious famous I've met
From: Auggie
Date: 03 Feb 05 - 08:18 PM

I met Paul Newman at an auto race when my three year old daughter, who was riding on my shoulders at the time, managed to spill what was left of her ice cream cone on all three of us. For someone reputed to often be difficult, he was exceedly gracious, forgiving, and charming.