BusinessBen

Another hit40uk tale from back in the day! Noel & Julian came into our office to do an interview for one of the other shows we made (either Breezeblock or The Rock Show… I can’t remember) when the first series was just finishing up. They were sitting in our kitchen having a drink when I strolled in to get myself a nice cup of tea! “Whoa – what are you guys doing here?”. They explained and we started chatting, talking about music, tv, comedy, dressing up and roller discos. They were both really cool, but I never thought that a year later I’d be paying to see them play Brixton!

I was working for a TV & radio show called hit40uk when I got an email from my mate at BMG, Claire. “You’re going to love me. Velvet Revolver are playing their first ever UK gig at the Hammersmith Apollo and I’ve got you the first interview!”. Appetite For Destruction is pretty much my favourite album and Slash is my Idol…. although the rest of G’n’R are up there too!

So me and one of the directors, Rita, roll up at the Apollo, set up our cameras/lights/etc and kick back talking to (or arse licking in my case) Claire while we wait for them to get ready. The interview was set for 3pm. It was now half past. Word had got out the Scott Weiland was AWOL and I was getting worried! Al of a sudden the door slides open and in walks Duff McKagen, Matt Sorum and SLASH!!! For the first time ever I was intimidated by a celebrity. Rita gave me a ‘dont embarrass us by being such a little fucking fan-boy’ look, but I was cool. I said hi, shook their hands and we got on with it.

Half way through answering a question Duff looked at my watch and said “Hey man, thats pretty cool (pointing) where’d ya get it?” DUFF McKAGAN LIKES MY WATCH!!! I almost turn into a 14 y/o girl, but managed it suppress
....for about 5 minutes when Slash asks if he can have some of my Coke – thats the drink, kids! I hand it over and break out into the biggest smile. Sorum see it and realises what I’m thinking. but before he has the chance to make me look like a fool I say what I”ve been waiting essentially my life to say. “while we’re having a break, could you boys do me the biggest favour please? Sign this?” and hand over the album that got me into music.

They sign it, we get back into the interview, finish up, they say bye and leave. “Do you want to wait for Scott? I’ve heard he just got here” says Claire. “Fuck off!” I say “I’m going home call everyone I know and then wank”

Heres a pic from my old camera phone: