Catrin and John met around Christmas 1989, a few months later they found
themselves standing outside the office/fan club of rock band Queen in
the Notting Hill area of London. As a long time member of the Queen Fan
Club, it wasn't the first time that John had visited the club and had
always had a great welcome from Jacky, who ran the venture.
This time John noticed a green Mercedes Benz about to be booked for
illegal parking outside the office, when a young blonde lady appeared
and promptly agreed to move the car, thus avoiding a penalty.
She jumped in the car and zoomed off. John thought the car belonged to
Queed guitarist Brian May, so as the young lady returned by foot, he
politely asked if Brian could sign an autograph for as they had
travelled over 200 miles from South Wales to be there.
Astonishely the Queen employee offered for both to accompany her into the office and ask Brian themselves.
John boldly marched in without a care in the world whilst Catrin shyly
followered with a rather blushed face, only to find the entire band
sitting in a room engaged in a meeting with the production manager.
Completely 'star struct' they both were introduced to each member of the
band who very politely responded by saying, "hello I'm Brian, John and
Roger, but Freddie Mercury was recalled as introducing himself by saying
"hello I'm Kim Bassenger, very pleased to meet you" prompting the whole
room to laugh and the air of anticipation melted for Catrin & John.
The band then engaged in a little small talk whilst they kindly signed
their autographs on the rather outrageous "things to do today" headed
notepad that John had recently purchased during a walk around Carnaby
Street. This also prompted some innoendo by Mr Mercury who very sadly
died just over a year later of AIDS. Powerful memories were firmly
ingrained into the minds of both Catrin and John during that chance
encounter, that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.
John Lewis
Nice little story.
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