Here are some photos from last night at Rm. Fifty5, where Scooter and I helped legendary promoter Chip Duckett celebrate his birthday, along with an eclectic bunch of artists, musicians, celebrities and fan boys (try to figure out which category I proudly boast membership in!). We didn't remember the name of the lounge but Scooter thought he remembered the address, so when we saw a place that looked "right," we walked in. The first thing we saw after getting past the doorman was a huge poof of dark hair and matching dark sunglasses seated in the corner surrounded by a group of gay guys: Ronnie Spector, in the flesh and waving at us! As we furiously tried to find a place to stash our coats, Scooter noticed Fred Schneider of the B-52's standing to our right -- "Are you ready to pounce?" my friend asked -- and we knew I we were in the right place. (Who else but Chip is friends with Ronnie Spector and Fred Schneider?)
The coat check was "for another party" (um, OK), so we just threw them on a chair and started to look for Chip when we ran into my friend Daryl, through whom I first met the birthday boy years ago at a Bananarama CD signing at one of Daryl's stores. As we were scoping out Ronnie -- I was concerned she might come early and then leave after wishing her friend well -- I noticed one of the gay guys sitting with her WAS Chip, so I immediately ran over to wish him a happy birthday.


As we exited, Scooter -- who won't admit to being the fanboy that I am -- suddenly told me he wanted to get a photo with Fred. He turned around and the next thing I knew, he had his hood on and these sunglasses (I know Chip has an eclectic group of friends, but is he BFFs with Ted Kaczynski too?), then he tapped Fred on the shoulder. Fred was equally good-spirited and posed for a couple (I accidentally hit the lock button on Scooter's Blackberry -- oops), and then Scooter -- not realizing I had already brought up the whole "lost tracks of 'Mesopotamia'" topic -- launched into the whole thing again. Fred didn't miss a beat and seemed sort of circumspect about his whole career. While he thought it was cool that we liked "Mesopotamia" so much -- he isn't really, saying he only had two songs on it so seems as "removed" from the record as a member of the band could possibly be -- he said he'll pretty much do "whatever" makes people happy at this point.

3 comments:
I saw the B-52s in the early 1980s here in Chicago @ the Aragon Ballroom/Brawlroom - they put on a great show!! Thanks for making this 45 y o feel like 17 again, Ken!
WTF - Hostess didn't make Zingers. Dolley Madison did.
@Blobby: I know! I think Hostess bought out Dolly Madison and Drake's.
I miss the Zingers with Charlie Brown and the gang!
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