The idea of flying from New York to Atlanta that day wasn't a happy one. Randy had a cold and not in the mood to sit in a pressurized cabin. He had hauled himself through security, the gate, and was seated on the plane when something interesting caught his eye.
A casually-dressed man in first class had an instrument
case. What musician flies first class
unless they’re really, really big?
The answer became clear. This was the Allman Brothers band. Randy heard they’d just played their final gig at the
Beacon Theater in New York City and were now winging their way home. And then, to Randy’s excitement, was the man
himself.
Who knew? You can perform
in front of thousands one minute and schlepping on a plane the next.
By the way, to anyone who doesn’t know, the Allman Brothers band
was huge in the seventies with hits like “Rambling Man” and “Midnight
Rider.” I always thought they were cool,
bad-ass southern boys with hair down to their waists and great guitar chops. Gregg Allman also has the extra panache of being
married to Cher for five minutes in 1975. These
guys have been around a long, long time.
The plane landed in Atlanta and by now Randy had told half
the internet. Passengers de-planed and in
the terminal Randy "happened" to find himself next to Gregg. Of course, my husband couldn’t resist.
“Can I take a picture with you?” he asked.
Gregg gave him a smile.
“Sure, that’d be fine,” he said in a soft, southern drawl.
Randy snapped the photo and then asked that great question, “So how does
it feel after all these years to play your last gig? You feeling proud? Relieved? Scared?”
Gregg thought about this and laughed. “That’s pretty good. I’d say a little of all that.”
Randy and Gregg shook hands and Gregg walked away, blending into the crowd. No one seemed to notice him, but Randy will never forget the day he met this rock legend. One of many reasons I'm proud of my husband. He is unafraid.
Randy and Gregg shook hands and Gregg walked away, blending into the crowd. No one seemed to notice him, but Randy will never forget the day he met this rock legend. One of many reasons I'm proud of my husband. He is unafraid.




My best celebrity siting was Cary Grant and Dyan Cannon getting out of their Rolls-Royce to go into Gold's Deli. Didn't have the nerve to speak to them :(
ReplyDeleteOkay, Lisa. You hit the mother lode with that one.
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