No, its not a wedding anniversary or anything most normal people would celebrate. It was 28 years ago today I - met - the - Beach Boys. Big deal right? Nope, completely changed my life all the way up to today even. But later on that. It was 28 years ago today in a big old downtown Detroit hotel that it happened. I was 15, and a ginormous Beach Boys fan. Totally in love with Carl Wilson. I had met some girls via the fan club pages that had met the band before and were going to carry on their travels to Detroit. Well, I just happened to live in Detroit and I wanted to go with them. Let me tell you they were less than thrilled to have a 15 year old come along with them! They were all in their early 20's and the last thing they needed was a 'kid' around. Somehow they relented.
There were eight of us in two adjoining rooms. The girls were content to just sit around and wait. I was not and took my friend Kathy who had opted to come along too and we went wandering. Yes, downtown, Detroit. I was not afraid! Carl Wilson was in this hotel! I was going to find him too! About all we found that afternoon was Al Jardine half naked in the swimming pool, which made Kathy's life as Al was her favorite. That night after having second row for the concert and me finally giving in and wearing my glasses for all to see because I was not missing a bit of this, we waited in the lobby for the band to come back to hotel. I waited and waited and no Carl. The next morning as the band was checking out I met everyone - again but Carl. Dennis wasn't on the road as his wife was expecting a baby any minute so I had met , Love, Brian, Bruce, Al, all the backup band member (except for my future love Bobby who was out with a back injury at the time would meet him a year later!) I felt really defeated and Elliott Lott their road manager who was still in the hotel after the rest of the band left told me to hang in there because Carl was coming still, but he was running late and probably wouldn't stop. I didn't care at that point I just wanted to see the man in person..living, breathing Carl Wilson. Well, not only did I get to see him,. but he DID stop and I DID get my photo taken with him and he did chat with me on being shy, and did I enjoy the show. My befuddled mind had a hard time communicating as I had my arm around his body during the photo and I couldn't breathe. When he left I was speechless. Greatest moment of my life still I think! Years later after Carl and I became friends, he reminded me of it one goofy night after a show. "I remembered you Joanne, Your face all beet red when I said hi to you"...nice Carl, thanks. Loved that man and still do and he is sorely missed!
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