I have been meaning to write this down although I know I'll never forget it. I found your site so I think I will pass it on.

I saw Paul in Cleveland on April 29 with my wife and kids (10 & 11). I didn't have as close seats as I had hoped but they were still $250 tickets. I really enjoyed the show and was thrilled that my kids, after hearing Dad talk about the greatest band of all time to them since they were babies, were finally able to hear and see what I was talking about!! I am 39 year old diehard Beatles nut who has been one since the age of 3 (or so I'm told). I am not as obsessive as other fans I have seen and witnessed but I am fairly dedicated. Nonetheless, a few times a year (especially since I saw Paul tour in 1990) I have a dream where I actually meet Paul and talk to him. Little did I know dreams can come true...... (May 1, 2002)

I bought a "backup" ticket for Detroit because they went on sale before Cleveland where I live. I thought if I get a crummy ticket to Cleveland I can always go to Detroit to see him. Otherwise, I could just sell it. Well, I got o.k. tickets for Cleveland but I thought, "Heh, he comes this way only so often. I got to see hiim again in Detroit. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made! I saw in Cleveland where he signed someones album at the end of the show. As I was saying goodbye to everyone and headed out the door I grabbed an album cover. Since, I had pretty good seats in Detroit I thought, "why, the hell not!" and thought of my most rarest album cover - a promotional copy of the "Casualties" album. This is a pre-cursor to the "Rarities" albums that was released in the 80's. It has the "butcher" cover on the front! I drove the 3 hours to Detroit and was getting pumped for another great show. I had the album in a little plastic bag. I could feel people eyeing me thinking, "Yeah right , like he's going toget his autograph." "That's o.k.", I said to myself. "You can't get it if you don't try."

My original seat was located in the 10th row in the first section just to right of the stage. I noticed by the third song that there were 3 empty seat in the first row. So, I just decided to get a little closer. So, now I am in the first row just off of the floor to the right of the stage. The best thing about it was that a lot of people in that section were either not that into it or had received free tickets, because many of them sat through many songs.

As fate would have it, I wore a very white mock turtleneck and stood out. In addition, being 6' 2" made me even more noticeable. I estimate I was only 60 feet from Paul. This was a minor miracle to me in itself and I thought it was the best I could hope for. >From other people and from his own interviews I have heard he really does try to make contact with the audience and I saw him point at several people and acknowledge them. Suddenly, it dawned on me that if I could see him plainly he should be able to see me.

My first moment of glory came during the song Driving Rain. I happen to like that song and was clapping to it when he turned and looked DIRECTLY at me, held it, and smiled. I was simply stunned. He friggin' actually saw me! Holy shi*! I looked around and the only other person standing and grooving to the song in my section was this 4 foot 4 woman standing next to me. Hell! No wonder he looked at me!! If this keeps up I got it made!

From then on the objective was to make eye contact as much as possible. During Back in the U.S.S.R. I held my album up of the butcher cover. He saw it and pointed to it! Oh my God! This is great! At the beginning of the fast part of "Band on the Run" I gave him the 'W' sign with my hands and he mouthed "YEAH" to me!

By now my emotions were running high and I thought I may pass out from too much excitement! From that moment on I knew that somehow, someway I was going to get Paul's autograph. It was like there was never a doubt! That today is MY day. This is it! This is what I have always wanted. It's going to happen! It's my destiny!!

As the concert ran down I made it to the floor with my album in hand. Maybe I shouldn't reveal how as it could be my little secret. I aplogized profusely to the kind people on the floor as I made my way to the center. Most were understanding as I kept saying "I have to get his autograph". Some said "good Luck" One guy said I should go by the side and I remember saying, "No, I have to go this way!" A couple of people gave me dirty looks. I didn't care. They obviously didn't realize that this was meant to happen!

I found myself right in front of my idol three rows from the stage while he was singing Yesterday. I got a lump in my throat. Again, by the hand of fate, I noticed I was in a sea of very short women. As the Sgt Pepper reprise started up I held up my album cover up again to Paul. He nodded and smiled at me! I was smiling but I felt like crying. As the song was ending going into "The End" I asked the people in front if I could please get up there it get an autograph. They too were kind and wish me good luck. Time is flying by at this point. It seems like the concert just started 30 minutes ago! My God, he is singing "The End". (A loud scream of applause) With every ounce of energy I yell, "PAUL!" and hold up the album. He looks down, holds his finger up and says "Just a minute". What? Holy @#%&! Did he say, "just a minute"????? A cameraman, who I hadn't even noticed turned to me and says , "Put the pen in the album and throw it up." Oh, O.K. !! Yeah - that seems the right thing to do.....I think?

Paul gets in line with the band and takes a few bows. I find myself yelling at Abe, the drummer, "ABE! You were great, man!" As if I believe now that I can talk to the whole band! Suddenly, Paul comes towards me. Somebody 10 seats down throws an album up. "NO" I say to myself he's signing MINE! I panic and toss mine to him as well. Now everything goes into slow motion. He picks mine up ......He doesn't see a pen......a girl next to me yells "IT'S INSIIIIIIIIIIDDDE".......he finds the other guys fine point magic marker..... He picks up the other guy's.........He signs the other guy's.......my album is underneath........he brings mine on top........he signs mine with the other guys marker.........Normal speed again. It appears he almost is ready to give the other guy MY album! No, he tosses the correct album to the other guy then he comes right to me. ! voiceover: "Shit, say something that you always wanted to say you idiot." As he leans over I yell, "Paul, I love you man! You are the greatest!" He smiles. ...............................I can't even catch the album as I am looking directly at him. As eye contact ends I realize the album fell to the floor. The stupid cameraman is standing on the corner of the album. I have to lean over the rail and hit his leg to get him to move.

I get the album and see his signature. The girl next to me says, " Oh that's so cool! Congratulations!!" I gaze at it and I am now in the twilight zone. The next thing I remember is the lights were on, the roadies were taking off the equipment and nearly all of the people had filed out. With the album in my hands I rubbed my eyes. Did I think what happened, really happen? I look at his signature again. OH GOD. I met him. I got his autograph. I sat in disbelief. All those years.....all those years...listening and listening to those records ....reading books....interviews.......all those years ..... culminated tonight! I started to get choked up. That's it. It's over. I felt a little sad for a moment because I thought that the dream was over. I wished my wife was with me.

I started hyperventilating as I got very paranoid of the prize possesion in my hands. I just wanted to get out of there as quick as possible. I made my way to my car at a quick walk with intermittent jogs. With my car in sight I ran to it, threw the album inside and called my wife on the cell phone. Panting, all I could get out for the first minute was.... "I met him....I met him... I got his autograph.... I got his autograph.....! It was great!! "

THANKS PAUL

(5/10/02)

From Kaile J. Lewankowski:

Words could not describe Paul McCartney's show in Auburn Hills. The entire place was on it's feet the entire time, singing, dancing and screaming for Paul. He looked and sounded just like in the sixties, and let me tell you, it was WELL worth the price of tickets!!!! The atmosphere was so friendly too, if you were a Beatle fanatic, you were accepted! (although I got some strange looks, being only 16) He played only the best of the best, and I'm STILL shocked at how wonderful he both sounded and looked. All I can say is, it was phenomenal! Thanks for the best night of my life, Paul! Kaile J.

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