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Phil
The year is 1976. First days of May. The Rolling Stones are on tour in Europe and Brussels is on their schedule for two nights. I will be twenty in july and I work in a record store located right in front of the Hilton Hotel. Keith Richards is my one idol : I do my best to look like HIM, play guitar like HIM, walk like HIM etc…
For a couple of months I've been thinking « Gotta meet HIM, gotta talk to HIM » First tip from a client of mine : « I just met Charlie Watts a few blocks away ! » Holy Christ ! THEY are in town ! HE is in town ! First rule in you want to succeed in this kind of crusade : Be alone. So I head for the Hilton and pretend to be a journalist who is expected by Mr Richards and interview him. « Well, sir , we don't find any such name in our book but the group has reserved floors 16 and 17 ». « Thank you » Elevator, bring me in heaven….
Nobody in sight. As I walk slowly past the anonymous doors, I suddenly hear some loud reggae coming out of room 1619. My heart beats faster. Reggae ! Keith is crazy about Reggae ! I know that. Toc toc toc goes my hand.
« Yeeah , whaat ? » says the closed door.
« I'm a fan, I want to meet Keith Richards »
« Wait ! »
A minute later, who should open that door but the man HIMSELF. Looking tired and still wearing make-up from the last show. I feel like a statue and mumble something like : « Hi, my name is Phil and I want to shake your hand and tell you how glad we all are here in Belgium that you come in concert like your music feel good bla bla… »
« Come in ! » HE says.
In the room is Ron Wood, Ollie Brown, little Marlon and another person that, I noticed, wouldn't leave Keith for the next three days. The conversation went about my job downstairs, the price of the tickets, the size of the venue and other things. I must say they were all quiet nice. Especially Ron Wood. Keith was rolling joints and I was surprised that he, the Superstar, was doing it exactly like we did it ! Not really better.
A little later they all came down to my shop to buy some records. Keith asked me if I knew a toy-shop for Marlon. I sure did and walked the streets with my new friends, proud as can be. Nobody hassled, few people even noticed who they were although this was a busy part of town. And then I had a stupid idea: I took them to my brother's record shop, close by. Keith exploded : « What the f***k do you think you're doin ? I don't need your f**in' friends ! . »
HE yelled at me for a couple of minutes and let me tell you, I wasn't confortable. As soon as we got to the place Marlon wanted, it all was cool again Keith actually bought me a drink in a place that has since disappeared.
The next day, I call his room and explain to HIM that I only have a ticket for the second show, wich was true. « Wait for me downstairs »He says. As I stand there waiting for KEITH RICHARDS, my gilfriend has the bad idea of showing up ! « Uh, baby , I'm sorry but I can't take you with me right now » Arrives Keith, sees me and says to one of the bodyguards « This gentleman is coming with us ! » I sit in front, IN THE LIMO, next to the big guy. Keith, Marlon and Ronnie are in the back. The trip to the concert hall lasts an eternity. I am in heaven. We have a lot of fun, in fact. Ronnie Wood is the coolest rock star I have ever met. Always asking me if « everything was fine ». Oh, yes, it was. A good moment was when the promoter, who knew me, opened the door to let us out of the limo, backstage. His jaw dropped when he saw me with keith and Ronnie.
The whole two hours before the gig, Keith was invisible. Locked up in a small room. Bill Wyman was nice, relaxed. Jagger was all over the place and I didn't try to speak to him . Keith was my man and I had gotten more than I ever dreamed.
I watched the first show from the side of the stage and after the last note the Stones dived in their limousines, waiting right behind the stage. I went home by myself, alone and happy.
For the second show, I was in the audience with all my mates who could hardly believe my story. But I had two good witnesses : my girlfriend and my brother. They saw me Keith and Ronnie , isn't that enough ?
Many times after that I worked my way, always alone, in the close circle of rock stars and it was always funny, exciting and sometimes interesting. Try it !
