My Time with Damon Albarn

It's 4:30am on a Friday morning. All indications say I should sleep but I can't. I just don't want to leave this tremendous feeling I have right now. I haven't felt this way in years.

Tonight, through people of people of people, I received an invite to the Gorillaz private after-party to celebrate five triumphant shows at the Apollo Theater. This could only mean one thing, I could be in the presence of Damon Albarn. If you don't know, Blur is and always will be my favorite band of all time. I have his autograph, slapped his hand and got jumped on by him at previous Blur gigs, but never said, "Hi, I'm Christopher....." I won't go into what their music has meant to me then and what it means to me now. It's just means the world to me.

On the way to the club, Marquee, I didn't get nervous because my theory on after-parties is that the band never shows up. So when I get up to the club, the first person I see is Dennis Hopper. I said to myself, "This is going to be a wonderfully strange night." What was sweet was that I had V.I.P. access, so I got upstairs where all the Gorillaz crew had to themselves. After about 20 minutes of being there, it got majorly packed and loud. All I wanted out of the night was to introduce myself to Damon, say thank you and get a picture. As it turned out, it went well beyond that.

So I'm standing by some couches and tables reserved for Damon, Jamie Hewlett, whoever. Once I see Smoggy, Damon's longtime bodyguard and director of security, I knew Damon arrived. I waited patiently while Damon said hello to his people. Meanwhile, I spot Dave and Pos from De La Soul, Jamie hugging a lot of people, Bootie Brown, Rosie Wilson, Simon Tong, people from the Harlem Gospel choir, the string section, various record people types and ladies who probably did something salacious to get access to this V.I.P. area. Shaun Ryder, Ike Turner and Roots Manuva didn't show up.

After about 30-45 minutes of just hanging back and chatting with people. I make my way to where Damon is sitting. He's talking with someone who looks important and is surrounded by two guys who could kill me on site if I made a wrong move. I just stand there for a few minutes until he's finished his conversation with the important man. He's done and he looked over to me and I just smiled widely and waved hello.

I said something along the lines of, "Hi, Damon. My name is Christopher. I don't know what to say in this situation. I'm probably one of the biggest Blur fans in America." He then looks over to my blazer that has a badge that has the Blur symbol on it.

He said, "Come here, Christopher" and gives a huge bear hug for a good ten seconds and we sway back in forth. My mind is pretty much going haywire. Damon Albarn is hugging me and he won't let go. When he let go, he gave me a smooch on the cheek. Believe me it gets better.

He then asks me if I was at the show tonight. I proceed to tell him that I was at four of the five shows. We basically have a good conversation about the shows. I tell him my favorite night was Monday because I had amazing seats and that the performances were more energized because the first night jitters and technical difficulties were out of the way. He nods his head and thanks me repeated for coming to the shows and how I'm pretty much praising him left in right. This whole time his arm was around me.

The man was in a great mood. Why shouldn't he? This year, he's won a well-deserved Grammy, Demon Days went double platinum and he just played five sold out show at the legendary Apollo.

Anyway, he offered me a drink, but I pour it myself. Cranberry and Finlandia Vodka. We then toast to a successful series of shows. Most Blur fans would have passed out by then. While I'm typing, this my hands are shaking because I'm still juiced from the experience.

I then ask him if I can take a picture and Smoggy was kind enough to take it for me. The results are above. I don't know who looks goofier, me or him. My face looks all bloated and he looks like he just drank a whole bottle of alcohol.

What happens next, you'll have to take me at my word. I wouldn't believe it myself if I read it from someone else. I thank him for his time. He smiled and said, "Oh, I'll see you around. Have a great time."

He then kisses me ... on the lips. You read that right. A nice sweet, innocent kiss ... ON THE LIPS. Just a slight peck. I don't remember if I said anything or laughed. All I could think of, "Did Damon Albarn just plant a smooch on me?" I'm actually glad he did it, not many guys can say that they got a kiss from another guy, who happend to me a major rock star.

I run downstairs and outside because I just had to get some air. It's hard to convey what I felt at that moment. Let's picture it this way, everyone has someone they want to meet, whether it be somebody famous along the lines of an actor, musician, sports figure or someone of historical significance. It's somewhere between idolization, admiration or just plain loving their work and it meaning something to you. Now imagine you meet that person and it goes well beyond what you thought it would be. It was more than the fact that he was in a good mood, I can tell that he knew I was in awe and that this meeting was something I will always remember. I don't think the word cool would define what happened and how he treated me. I'm going to read this in a year and think, "Damn, I sound gay." So be it.

When I get outside, I called my best friend and woke him up to tell him what happened. This was at 12:45am. While I'm on the phone, Neneh Cherry walked by to get into the club. This is the life I lead.

For the rest of the night, I meet all sorts of interesting people. I had a good chat with Pos from De La Soul, who I met about eight years ago when I worked in public relations and Levi's was a client. He did remember the campaign, but not me. In any event, you need to have nothing but love for De La Soul. Still kicking around in the business for 17 years and finally getting a Grammy. It's just awesome that a new generation of fans are discovering them. Bootie joined into our conversation about the shows.

When that ended, I turn around and there's James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem and DFA Records. He's spinning records and having a good time. I went over and talked for a bit. He's a very cool dude. At one point, we're banging our heads together, in that goofy way he does sometimes, to the beat from one of the records he put on. Now that's a fun little story to tell all the hipster kids from France and London.

Now that the crowded room is much more manageable to walk around and Damon is walking around chatting with everybody. He walked by me and pats me on the back. I then see Neneh Cherry. I introduce myself, say what I do for a living (I grow flowers for a living, shhhhh, don't tell anyone) and tell her that me and my coworkers like to play "Buffalo Stance" to break the monotony.

No joke, she started rapping, "Who's that gigolo on the street. With his hands in his pockets and his crocodile feet. Hanging off the curb, looking all disturbed. At the boys from home. They all came running." I do the only thing I could do, rapped with her, line by line. "Wearing padded bras and sucking beer through straws." Best line ever. That would be the very definition of out of body experience. Now if I were to go back in time and tell a young Christopher that at age 31 he would be rapping "Buffalo Stance" with Neneh Cherry, that teenage Chris would tell me that I'm on crack.

At about 2:30, I felt that I should leave while I'm on a high note, before I say something foolish or break something. That would prove to be impossible. I met a group of Australians and you can't tear yourself away from them. They are too entertaining. One was an actress who is actually a big deal in Australia, like she gets stopped on the streets of New York by fellow Aussies who recognize her from her soap opera work on Home and Away. That's someone you don't meet everyday.

After one Aussie told me that I need to loosen up, she proceeded to undo my tie, rip a button off my shirt and flip-up the collar on my jacket. It was time to go. Before I headed out, I want to say goodbye to Damon. He's at the bar talking with Dave from De La Soul. Again, I wait until his conversation is done. He's finished with Dave and he turned to me. "Well, Christopher. You look like you had a good time." I tell him that Australians love to have a good time.

I then give him my blog card and we chat a little more. I tell him my theory about how the music you listen to in college is the music you'll be listening to the rest of your life. He agreed. Then some girls interrupt. Rosie spots me and takes my hat and tie and proceeds to wear it. When Damon was done talking with the birds, he walks by and we grab hands in the bro handshake form and he said, "I hope you had a good time. It was a pleasure to meet one of the biggest Blur fans." Yup, it really doesn't get much better than that.

The walk back to my car, my whole body was in shock. I just spent a night where I met all these great people and I now have stories to tell for weeks to come. As you know, I'm a not club goer and I don't do scenester stuff. I'm comfortable in my outsider standing in the music world, but being at the Gorillaz after-party and sharing company with Damon ... I don't know ... it's going to be hard to top that. You know, it's not like we're best friends now or he'll remember my name, but for me it's a special time that I wish other people can also experience in some form.

I just wished that no one mugged me or got into a fiery crash driving home. Home safe, and it's 5:45am. Geez.

P.S. Damon wasn't plastered, he just likes to goof around in the pictures.

Comments

[Robyn]

Damn...that's a really cool story. If I were a huge Blur fan, I think I would've passed out way before your designated passing out time. Thanks for sharing. :)

[Jen]

Oh my gosh Chris, that is utterly amazing. I am sitting here with my hand over my mouth. I am just so happy for you.

[Jean]

Wow. I still maintain that I'm the biggest Blur fan ever but your story is totally awesome. Damon kissed you - you are my new god.

[rob]

NO! *I'm* the biggest Blur fan in America... ;)

I just happened to come across this when browsing and thought that this was an incredible story. I pretty much would've been riding on adrenaline the whole time.... Cool!

[Richard]

I love Neneh Cherry , and would crap myself if I met her , Im useless in those situations. I met Michael Cain once at work and was so star struck I could'nt talk to him ...What a cool story Chris ...AND Neneh rapped with you what a star !!!

[anonymous]

You look like that one dude from "The Office". And I'm very happy for you!

[abzme]

Great story. Well told too.

[cordys_charisma]

my god! u are a LUCKY MAN !

[hayley]

Oh. My. Fucking. God.

I know im totally late commenting, but I can't NOT comment on this.

I CANNNNNOT believe you met all them! Especially DAMON! Shit, I love him more than life itself!! :O
You are the luckiest person alive, i totally wish i was you. I agree with everything you said, im quite the musical outcast myself at the age of 14.

I envy you sir.

[john]

i've always feared the thought of meeting a musical idol and haveing that person turn out to be a jerk. it's wonderfull that you met one of your idols and to have it turn into such a great experience.

[BeckEye]

Ha ha...just reading this now after finding one of your newer stories. That sounds awesome. A kiss from Damon? I'm sure I would pee a little. Or worse...lose my mind and try to slip him some tongue. Although I'm sure I wouldn't be the first girl (or guy) to try that one.

[S]

Similar feelings to when I met Damon (post gig) back in 95 in the UK (at the height of Blur's fame). I wrote a long (But far shorter version than how it actually went that night) account of it on my blog:

http://www.spacehotelmusic.com/blog/?p=63

[Thitoss]

Can I have your life? :)
Please? :)
I'm jealous.
JEALOUS!!

[aion kinah]

Ha ha...just reading this now after finding one of your newer stories. That sounds awesome. A kiss from Damon? I'm sure I would pee a little. Or worse...lose my mind and try to slip him some tongue. Although I'm sure I wouldn't be the first girl (or guy) to try that one