I asked Peter to do a little write up about himself for the site:

I take credit for being one of Bob's original New York City fans from back in the mid-60s by virtue of radio DXing and the Upbeat TV show. I once even transcribed the lyrics to "2+2" on a mostly blank piece of Selective Service Service letterhead that was autographed by General Lewis Hershey and sent it to Bob with a request that he autograph it. I sent it to him in care of a Buffalo club that was advertizing an appearance by the band. Sure enough, three months later it came back in a "Holiday Inn/Columbus,Ohio" envelope and looked like it had been carried in somebody's back pocket for three months.

By 1977 I was Music Research Manager at WHN Radio in New York City...a country station. I had never met Seger but was still a huge fan. I had this great relationship with Capitol Records in NYC. When it was announced that the Silver Bullett Band was going to play in NYC that spring, I let it be known that I wanted to meet him. "Sure, Pete; No problem, we'll take care of it" the Capitol folks said. On the day before the gig:
"Seger's people know about it and you are all set. Bob's looking forward to meeting a guy from country radio for a change..." Immediately after the performance:
"Bob's not seeing anybody; He's tired and going back to the hotel."
OH?????!!!!!!!
(The backstage photos from that night promptly appeared in Record World the following week spotlighting Bob & misc. other NYC industry heavies) The Capitol people were real scarce for about a month after that. In fact, the next time they called was to ask "WHEN and IF" WHN was going to add a certain Glen Campbell hit that everybody EXCEPT WHN was playing. I gave them a very evasive answer.
The local promo guy shows up at the station the next afternoon. I grab him and say "Hey, you and me are going out to lunch." We go out to lunch and talk about various things excepting two subjects....Bob Seger and Glen Campbell. At the conclusion of the meal, I go to pick up the check. "No, that's Capitol's", the guy excalimed. "No, that's Peter's," I grumbled. I continued....and I don't appreciate being screwed out of that backstage with Seger last month which you damn well I'd been waiting half a lifetime for. Instead you get everybody else and their f..ing friends back there with a photographer. All I get is f..ing embarrassed. .....and you want what record added???????? That's why I'm paying for this meal. At this point it's personal; Not professional."

UH,

We left it at that. We did add the Campbell song in spite of it all.

The Capitol people remained very scarce for quite some time until they though the slight was forgotten. It wasn't. And the next time they wanted a favor, the subject was mentioned. "Okay.....anyplace that Seger is appearing, we'll get you tickets and backstage. Just let us know. No bullshit this time. We're really sorry....."

I suggested Cleveland, Ohio where I had/have a whole bunch of friends. "It's done Pete. In fact, the local rep is a big record collector. You guys will hit it off bigtime..."

And so it was done.....tickets, backstage, schmooze, everything. All I did was drive to Cleveland (at my own expense, of course.....this was all on the up and up).

Graet show, Great seats, VIP treatment. Whole thing.

This time the fly in the ointment was the lady I attended the show with. She was a writer for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and was on Capitol Cleveland's shitlist for panning the band "Starz" (remember, "Cherry Baby"?) I was welcome and expected back....she was not to go back for any reason.

"Go ahead, she said, I'll wait by the back door".

I was escorted back and presently met Bob. I'd heard that he didn't have copies of his Cameo/Parkway 45's. Since I had some extra copies I bought them along as a present. He accepted him graciously as "No I don't have these, Thanks alot". It was all very, very low key and I figured he was being polite. We talked a bit, and posed for this picture. He autographed my Hideout "East Side Story". and that was that. We parted company and I went downstairs. There was a party and I was invited, but didn't want to go unless my friend could go as well.

I get downstairs and there was my friend having a big argument with the Capitol rep. I wait off on the side for the volume to diminish. Suddenly a limo pulls up and the back door flies open. It's Seger....'Hey Pete, you need a ride to the party?"
It killed me but I lied and said that I did and that we'd talk later.
Okay and with that the door closed and the limo sped off.

I never did go the party.

A year passes. It's 1978. I'm out of work by now but both Bob and I are in Cleveland again. He's wildly successful at this point and I'm broke. By now everybody is speaking to everybody and I find myself backstage. Seger's working the reception line....smiling, shaking hands and making small talk.
He comes to me....pauses a bit...and says

"OH I REMEMBER YOU...YOU'RE THE GUY WHO GAVE ME THE OLD RECORDS."

I couldn't have been more flattered.

Wow!

A second Seger story involves a certain promotional jacket. Capitol Records gave out these really nice heavy duty bomber style winter jackets with the Silver Bullet Band logo on the back. I lucked out with one and wore it constantly.

I'm in Rochester, New York. My friend has gone to the bathroom. I've just paid the check and am waiting by the door. Somebody taps me and says "Excuse me sir".
It's a rather nerdy high school age male.
"Do you work with Mr. Seger?"
Well, in a way....
"Could you guys play at my prom?"
(Hmm. How do I answer this?)
I think quick and ask
"When is your prom?
June 15th.
Oh, I'm sorry we'll be in California then.....but thanks for asking.

Bob, if you read this, sorry I turned down the gig.