[ Closed ] question for y'all about autographs (Page 1 of 2)

Very thought-provoking question!  I am of the camp that is compelled to get things autographed, and I've never seriously considered why I enjoy it; only that I do.  Certainly, artists are probably on autopilot when they sign autographs and other than conceptually it may not meaningful to them. For the fan, though, the experience of getting an autograph adds a little extra something to the pleasant memory of the show and to the item itself.  That signature is a link to the person you sought the autograph from and to the show at which you got it.  In the grand scheme of things, it may not matter much--but what matters is a matter of opinion.

I love collecting autographs of my favorite musicians on merchandise that they made (or was made about them ~ magazine articles, photos, etc.).  I have signed stuff from Joe (tons of stuff), Mike Portnoy, SRV, Joe Satriani, Ronnie Montrose, Steve Vai, Gary Hoey, Eric Sardinas, Andy Timmons, Yngwie Malmsteen, John Petrucci, Neal Morse, Shannon Curfman, Aerosmith (except the 2 guitarists which couldn't be bothered to come to the aftershow), Kansas, Stuart Hamm, and all of the touring members of Joe's bands since Bloodline.  Hopefully I'll be able to add Mato Nanji when I see Indigenous in October.  I also try collect sinatures of my favorite authors (those that I CAN get ~ George RR Martin, Dan Simmons, Clive Barker).  To me having signed (often personalized) CDs & books makes them all the more special to me.  Books & music are the only 2 things I really collect.  I'd NEVER sell anything, so I don't care about what they could someday be worth.  When I have had people sign things they usually seem appreciative of the fact that I support them by buying their stuff.  One of these daze I'll pass them all on to whichever of my children that will pass them on to their children one day.

i understand the fascination of a kid meeting one of his heros and getting an autograph, but i can't figure out why an adult would want something signed, what does it matter?

at what point do we grow up? and I'm 30...I can't have a hero?

Meeting Warren Haynes, getting a pic and an autograph was wayyyyyyy up on the coolest things(musically) I've done...I've met Joe twice and he's up there too

Personally, I do it to make Joe feel good. Can you imagine him sitting there after a show with his pen, and nobody asking him to sign something??
Seriously, though...before Joe, I only had one autograph in my adult life. I met an older guy in a bar in downtown Chicago and wound up talking with him for a couple hours. It took me about a half hour to figure out that he was Al Lewis (Grandpa from the Munsters). Great guy...I got his autograph before I left because I wasn't sure my friends would believe me. I threw it out about 2 years later because I didn't know what else to do with it. The memory was what was important.
My second time seeing Joe, I bought 2 cd's and was just hanging out with a few people after the show when I realized people were waiting in line to meet Joe. I wanted to let him know how much I enjoyed the show and as I got nearer, I noticed Joe was signing stuff for almost everyone...so I had him sign my cd's, but I never recall groveling.

Here's another side to this topic.....I saw John Fogerty in Chicago on August 20th...I have waited 36 years to see him in action and I was totally fulfilled.  Before going to the concert I stopped and picked up a bouquet of flowers to give to him.  I explained to the security guy at the stage that I have been a long time fan and I would dearly love to give the flowers to John.  He said, "You pick your song and come on down and we'll see what we can do."  I chose Lodi...headed to the stage after the first three notes...found my security guy...when the song was over he handed them to John.  John stopped the show and stared at the flowers with a look of wonder, smelled them....looked over at me, walked away from the mike and the spotlight and came over to me and said, "What's your name?"  I told him Patty and he smiled the biggest grin and thanked me, walked back over to the mike and said to the crowd as he was holding the flowers up, "Hey, everybody these are from Patty..."silly sentimental me crying, blowing him a kiss and telling him I loved him...him smiling back.....One of his biggest fans who has been to 47 shows said that he had never seen John so moved during a concert......I just wanted to thank him in a small way for all the wonderfulness of his music and I came away with the thought that he is always giving to the fans and it was nice to be on the receiving end.....I expected nothing in return, but ended up with a very emotional filled memory of a moment shared in time.Whether he remembers it 2 days or a year from now doesn't really matter as we can only really live in the moment....I think it is a nice experience for the artist to be on the receiving end, too.

"I'm not nice to any guitar!"     
                 Joe Bonamassa 05-03-12

JBLP CHILD #184

I never really thought about it till you asked. 

I think I actually started getting autographs from sports figures.  Mostly locally.   I like to get autographs because I didn't think I would ever meet the person.  And especially for the wonderful memories thay have given me. 

One that means the most to me is Jim Plunkett - Quarterback, and Dave Dalby - Center for the Oakland Raiders.   Jim Plunkett is my favorite football player and the reason I wanted his and Dave's autograph is for all the thrilling moments they gave me as a Raider fan.   I got their autograph on my Raider jacket that I would wear to the games.   After they signed my jacket I put it on the wall so I can see the autographs and all the special memories that jacket and autographs bring back.   I was gonna get other autographs from the players of that era on it.  But sadly,  Dave Dalby, who was the Raider's center for 14 years, passed away in an auto accident.  That is when I decided to permantely retire the Jacket to the wall  with just their autographs, Dave Dalby and Jim Plunkett, Center to Quarterback.

My take on autographs is a little different. In the past I used autograph items as motivational booster.

For the past 25 years I have photographed many pro sport venues and met a lot of champions and fan favorites.
I am in the mix and many times I have gotten autographs, shirts, gear, ... ect. (you get the point).

To date I have never saved any for myself - but instead used to motivate people. (younger ones mostly)
eg; Let's say Blair Morgan, Doug Henry or John Dowd is your hero. I would take that autographed shirt / photo and use it as a prize or reward when they reach a certin goal we have set. Like win a race if they have been finishing 4th or 5th.

When I tell you over the years that makes a huge impact on a younger person.

Now I photograph some Joe shows and ... yes I have six photos that I have kept for myself.
Why ?  I guess to hang in the bar room someday. Maybe just to say - those are my pics and the autograph just shows that I spent a moment with him. It's crazy - I never saved any other performer/athlete before.

I also send Joe pic's to clubs or radio that promote Joes' work.
In club enviroment, it shows that the performer/celebrity has been there. Plus it's cool decorations.

Well - That's my take and I am standing behind it

my motivation for starting this topic was a post on another board i frequent talking about the celebrity worship and how it's wrong, i tend to agree with that, celebrities are no different than you or i, they just have slightly cooler jobs than i do

to use joe as a reference only because it's his message board, but i doubt if joe goes into the local chevy dealership looks at a corvette and say to himself "man, i really want to meet the guy who designed this center console"

i design car parts, joe plays guitar in a band, they're both jobs to us, only one is slightly cooler than the other one

i hope someday to meet joe , because i enjoy meeting people, only to tell him i really enjoy his music and he's really good at what he does