Monday morning, two ELO friends messaged me, saying Jeff would make a personal appearance in LA on November 14, and I should apply for a ticket. By Tuesday morning, I received an email from SiriusXM confirming that I had won passes, with these stipulations:
- When on-site, you and your guest must sign a release form in order to participate in the broadcast.
- There will be NO autographs allowed at this event. Please do not bring items to be signed.
I thought I was going to an event at the satellite radio station where I would observe a live radio broadcast with Jeff and the host—nothing more.
I drove to L.A. Thursday in five hours, arriving more quickly than I ever had before. I checked into my hotel and primped. Jeff might see me in the audience!
Half an hour before start time, I was in the parking lot at SiriusXM, nervous as a cat. I saw some ELO friends by the curb, and joined their ranks. We were quickly processed, signing the forms and catching up with each other.
We filed into a state-of-the art studio, set up for both audio and video. Jeff was visible on a large-screen TV in the front of the room, engaged in an interview in another studio with Bob Buchmann, a brand-new DJ for the Classic Vinyl show. I had no idea how important he was. An article about his promotion to Director of Music Programming for the whole Sirius Network was published after Jeff’s appearance.
I sat behind one of the cameras, and realized too late it would block my view of Jeff. The cameraman generously moved his rig over a foot so I could see.
We listened to the From out of Nowhere album, singing along with every song. Will, our “emcee,” seemed surprised we already knew all the words. He is as big an ELO fan as any of us, and demonstrated his knowledge of the band’s history and shared his brush with Jeff.
Will asked “Is the Eldorado album a concept album, and if it is, what’s it about?” Several people pointed to me and said, “She wrote a book about it.” I gave a summary of Midnight on the Water. Will said he wanted a copy. When Bob Buchmann came down from the other studio, Will pointed at me and said, “She wrote a book about the Eldorado album.”
Jeff appeared a few minutes later, and the first words out of Bob's mouth to Jeff were (pointing at me) “She wrote a book about your album.” I wasn’t about to miss an opportunity and said loudly, “I’ve written two books about you, Jeff!” Our hero nodded and laughed. If only he’d asked for copies, I had some in the car.
Some intrepid fans recorded the ensuing interview for us. You can find it on the Jeff Lynne is ELO group on Facebook. Bob Buchmann asked questions about each of the ELO albums and the songs on From out of Nowhere for Sirius to use as lead-ins when Jeff’s songs are played.
Bob Buchmann said the words, “Electric Light Orchestra,” intending to cue Jeff to talk about the first album. Instead Jeff said, “Never heard of them.” This bit of Brummie humor sent us all into paroxysms of laughter. He was funny throughout the interview, as you can hear in the recording.
We received a little new information. For example, Jeff doesn’t seem to care much for Discovery, and felt rushed by the record company while making it. We also learned that “All My Love” could be about “… your mother … your daughter, your girlfriend, or your wife…but that’s all I can say … because I don’t want the rest of them beating me up.”
After the second interview, the people attending the event were instructed to line up in the hall for a photo with Jeff. A professional photographer snapped each of us, along with the person we brought. I’m still waiting for them to be posted. Hopefully, I don’t look too goofy.
When I walked up to Jeff, I said, “Hi Jeff, it’s such a pleasure to meet you.” He said, “Pleasure to meet you, too.” He stooped and got right in my face with a bemused expression. I figured he was looking at the purple dye in my hair. I’m still kicking myself for not asking him if he liked it. I could see his eyes through the shades, and they were twinkling. Despite Jo Whiley’s gaff a week ago, he didn’t smell of whiskey or beer or any other alcoholic beverage. He smelled like French milled soap and expensive leather. Mmmm.
I stepped beside him and put my arm around him. I think his arm was around me too, but I was so transported by this time, I didn’t really know what was happening. Has anyone else felt like this when they meet Jeff?
We had to move on to make room for the next pair in the photo line. All the things I wish I could have said to him! Maybe he’ll remember me because of my purple hair.