My encounter with Stevie Nicks

 

Long ago, when I was a working cop, one of my main extra-duty summer jobs was backstage security at a large, well-known outdoor amphitheater.

During the summer months, I worked there several evenings per week. As a result, I was fortunate to meet many headliner acts and performers. (Maybe one day I will tell you about my wife hanging up on James Taylor).

This facility was out in the country and only had three entrances and exits. As a result of that funneling effect, it was imperative to hustle the headliner OUT and OFF of the property ahead of the masses (sometimes 10 to 20 thousand people). 

We developed some “tricks” to help us stay ahead of the wave of people. One trick was not turning up the “house lights” for a few minutes after the last encore. This gave me a couple of minutes’ head start in getting the star-of-the-day out and gone.

I am terrible with dates. If I don’t record a date within weeks, I have no idea when something occurred. So is the case with Ms. Stevie Nicks. I do know that her sold-out visit to our venue was soon after she began her solo career. And buddy let me tell you, the place was standing room only.

I always got a “playlist” from the headliner’s manager, which showed the order of encore songs. This way I knew when it was time to scoot. 

On this evening, Stevie Nicks was magical. She had the crowd mesmerized for the entire concert.

No one wanted this concert to end.

But end it must and here we go…

There were folks stationed at stage right, stage left, and I was directly off stage center. I had prearranged to have her limo waiting at the bottom of the loading dock steps. There was a marked police car positioned to lead the limo off of the property. Everything was set.

As she exited the stage, I extended my arm which she took and we quick walked through the backstage area, out onto the loading dock, and down the stairs.

Once at the bottom of the stairs, her limo driver opened her door and got back in, ready to drive. Upon arriving at the open limo door, I turned toward her to make getting into the car easier for her.

At that moment, Stevie Nicks and I were face to face and inches apart. As she looked at me for the briefest of moments….sorry reader, I need to pause a moment here to catch my breath. Writing this and reliving this memory STILL makes my heart pound and my breath short. The lady was/is stunningly beautiful, and wonderfully talented. O.K. I’m better now…

As she and I looked at each other, I could have said anything. Stay with me, take me with you, marry me, really anything at all.

As I loaded her into the limo and as she was gazing into my eyes, I could not believe what my stupid brain made my mouth say. Honestly, I am not a total doofus. I have met many celebs and have had a laugh or two with some. (Remembering I promised to tell you about the time my wife hung up on James Taylor). This was certainly NOT my first encounter with fame. I had no warning or preemptive notion that this was gonna come out of my mouth. I am going to chalk it up to love-struck, fanboy, Stevie Nicks crush, and the fact that there were small children in my life at that time.

 I looked into her eyes. I smiled and said….

“night night”.

Yes Sir, a seasoned salty cop, military veteran, with several summers at this venue notwithstanding… “night night”.

In those final few seconds before she was whisked away ahead of the masses, as she was getting in the limo and heard me say those magical, seductive words “night night”, I swear she looked at me much like a calf staring at a new gate. She said not a word. Made no sounds or expressions, just got in the limo and disappeared from my life.

Later when one of my co-workers asked how it went, I made the mistake of telling the truth, berating myself mercilessly in the process. Now as a result of my confession, and to this day, more than thirty years later, if I am with anyone who knows this story, and if a Stevie Nicks song happens along, all I hear any of them say is, “night night Stevie Nicks”.

In my worthless defense, I did have small children at home at the time…

night night