HERE'S IS THE FIRST ADVENTURE WITH DARREN HAYES

Dec. 17, 1997

This was the first time I ever saw Savage Garden perform live. And the first time I ever met Darren Hayes. The annual KIISMAS party hosted by Rick Dees and Ellen K was held at Knott’s Berry Farm last December. It was very exciting knowing that while you were waiting in line that some major rock/pop stars were so close. The performers included Allure, Aqua, Hanson, Savage Garden (my fave), Chumbawumba, and Trini Hamlin. The gates opened at 7:00pm giving us an hour to reach for the stage. All these young Hanson fans ran to get the best possible view of those blond brothers. My sister and I watched Allure perform, then Aqua, and of course Hanson. Alot of the crowd began to leave once the Hanson brothers were done singing. My sister and I squeezed our way close to the front near the VIP’s. We got the front right view of the stage. Rick Dees came out with Ellen K and introduced Savage Garden. The new band was up with Darren and Daniel, which included Karl Lewis(drums) , Ben Carey (lead guitar), Anna Maria Laspina (backing vocals), Nicole McIntyre (keys and vocals), and of course Lee Novak(bass). The band seemed quite pumped, and happy AT 9:00PM. They ended up singing a total of only four songs. Which included "To the Moon and Back" then "Break Me Shake Me". While Darren was singing this he took off his black coat and before hitting the floor someone was there to catch it and clear it from his path. Also Darren really got into this song, once in awhile throwing the mic stand down, and again someone there picking it up, never noticing that Darren would only throw it back down again. Well the next song had a bit of an intro inspired by Darren. He said something like "now lets try something sweet like a (paused) Chic-a-cherry cola!" Fans out there screaming "yeah!" After another amazing performance, Darren said "now lets try something a little more romantic," then he began to sing "Truly Madly Deeply" with Anna Maria. All the while he didn’t go near the girls, but stayed close to Daniel. You could see the approving nods and smiles they gave each other. I thought wow what really good friends! After the performance. Darren said something like "Thank you," and to give it up for "Daniel Jones, Lee, Ben, Anna Maria, and Nicole." Each of the band members smiled or waved. Then they left the stage, and Rick and Ellen came back out and thanked the guys!
During the performance my sister and I decided to jump up and down during "Truly Madly Deeply" because we were taller then the girls there we had quite an advantage, not to mention that no one else was jumping up and down to the slow songs, so we took advantage of that moment, to get the stares from Darren and Lee! We definitely were noticed. Well we had heard that a lot of the performers were seen on the rides, but sis and I decided to head out and take some pics. We were putting our stuff away after taking some sticker pictures and guess who we saw being escorted through the fiesta village section of Knotts Berry? Yes, the one and only Darren Hayes! He was wearing his amazing black suit, and of course I screamed along with my sis, I guess he heard us, cause he turned back only to see that me and my sis were staring at him! Well, I quickly grabbed for my camera and followed him. Then he kinda noticed that he was being followed, then I asked him if we could take a picture. He said, "sure, get your camera." Well we posed together, and the security took our picture. He was kinda of in a rush, but my sister and I kept close behind until I said "can I have your autograph" he quickly signed my book with my pen, meanwhile some other girls started to notice who he was, and then they got his autograph too. He was saying "I have to go, I have to catch my bus". As this was happening the all-girl crowd kept walking along with him, and security kept bugging him to hurry up. Well he also told us "come on girls help me get on the bus." We finally let him go, he ended up taking off with my pen, he noticed a few feet later, and turned back to give it to me, I said "thanks" he said "Bye!" That was so amazing, being able to stand so close to him, and yes ladies he smells "divine!" Read about the second time I met Darren by clicking on my picture with Darren in my info page. Love, Wendy
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