Fans
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Sarah's Fan Encounter
Birmingham Aug 19th 2005 - Starlight Express Evening Show
I have met James before when he was in Liverpool, but I was convinced he
wouldn't remember me or recognise me. I was SO wrong!
It was a truly priceless moment, James had just started singing "call me
rusty if you like" he turned to face our side of the stage - the first
time he was looking in my direction, and he started singing the next line
"call me rusty if you dare" and he did this HUGE double take, his entire
face just exploded into a grin and he totally forgot to continue singing
for like a second and a half.
It was soo hilarious - I was really embarrassed that I had made him lose
concentration, but so thrilled that he obviously remembered me. It was a
bizarre moment b/c he carried on singing but right at me, so we were just
staring at eachother grinning like loons.
I knew James had been glad to see me in the audience, cos his expressions
throughout the performance were stunners, but I still didn't know what to
expect when we met him after the show and I certainly didn't expect him to
nearly squeeze me to death in one of the largest hugs I have ever
received. He said he was so happy to see me, couldn't believe I'd come all
the way to Birmingham. I said (stupidly) "I didn't think you'd recognise
me" and he said "I nearly stopped singing mid line I was so suprised to
see you here" - then he demonstrated by singing it again for me
*sigh....goes all dreamy* ha ha. I was all *sheepish grin* "yer sorry about
that" and James just laughed.
The show was just amazing, the best I've ever seen and James being the
hunney that he is gave me the unforgettable memory of having Starlight
Express sung to me. Along with all the winks, smiles, and cross-eyed faces
he pulled throughout it was a priceless experience. Seeing him afterwards
made the whole night perfect and totally unforgettable!
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The first time I saw James perform was in Starlight Express: 3rd Dimension at the Liverpool Empire. I had seen the show back in 1996 and I had loved it, so I was really looking forward to seeing it. I admit I was disappointed that they had cut some trains out and my fave songs, but I got over that as soon as I heard Rusty (James Gillan) singing! I was a fan after about 2 minuets! He had the most amazing voice, and his facial expressions were utterly perfect! He was the best little Rusty I had ever seen or heard, and his whole performance was stunning, I can't really describe it as it was so amazing! I was totally blown away when he sang "Starlight Express". I sat throughout the whole show just staring at him, haha. After the show, I was really too scared to see him, but I had to tell him how great he was some how, so I went straight home and booked more tickets. It was after the second show that I met James.
The first time I met James was interesting to say the least! It was the second time I had been to see Starlight Express: 3rd Dimension at the Liverpool Empire. I had been far to nervous the first time to go and see him! I was waiting for ages on my own waiting for him to walk out of the Stage Door, and I kept wording if he'd already gone or not. As I was about to leave, the door opened, and there was James! I walked over to him shaking and asked "can I have your autograph?" and he gave me a huge grin and took the book off me and asked "you want my autograph?" as if he was surprised that anyone would want it. He signed the book for me and another leaflet. "you were absolutely amazing tonight" I told him, but then, just as he was about to reply , some random woman came out of nowhere! She was rather drunk, and rambling on about something, all we could work out was that she wanted an autograph and wanted James to sign her body! James looked a little freaked out by this to say the least and said "you really don't want me to do that" and the woman said "why not?" and James said "well you'll wash it off!". The woman didn't look like she was going to go away though, so I quickly got one of my Starlight leaflets, made sure something was scribbled on it and gave it to her. James looked really glad and said "see, that lovely lady there has given you hers" and the woman went off someplace then. James looked really relieved she had gone and said that he would see me again soon. And that, was the first time I met James Gillan! After seeing him, I couldn't get over how sweet he had been, and that's why I ended up making my website for him.