"Meeting" Don Henley

August 2005. Some friends and I all donated to the Arizona Heart Institute because we're such great people and want to help heart patients - and oh yeah, also because if you donated a certain amount you would get to meet Stevie Nicks. I had done this before with Fleetwood Mac in 2003 and managed to totally humiliate myself by freaking out, so I figured I had to do it one more time to redeem myself.

Ourselves and about 100 or so other people were all herded into a room in the venue after the show and told to wait in line. Sure enough, a while later, she shows up - but not alone! Don Henley was with her. This was an unexpected treat. I have to give Don credit. He didn't have to come with Stevie. The truth is, a lot of Stevie Nicks hardcores don't think too much of Don for reasons I won't get into, and also a lot of Stevie Nicks hardcores have tunnel vision when they see the beautiful Miss Nicks in front of them. This means that anyone - including Don Henley - better not get in their way or there will be hell to pay! I, however, was excited to see him. When it came our turn to get a photograph, he and Stevie were standing next to each other. As I approached, I started to get hyper and talk loud and fast, as I often do when nervous (The only exception to this is when I met Glenn Frey. For some reason, the opposite occurred and I was barely able to say a word. Still haven't figured that one out.)

"Hey guys!" I cried, flinging my arms wide with a huge smile on my face. Don and Stevie started to chuckle at the strange hyper girl. "Um, hey," Don replied. "Hey," Stevie laughed.

I started to talk faster. "Do you guys mind if I stand in between you? Or is that not cool? Do you not want anyone to stand here? I understand if that's the case you know so don't worry if I can't I won't but I would just like to if I could..."

"Please," Don moved over to let me in, still laughing.

"Yay!" I cried gleefully, and hopped in between them, still talking super-fast. "How's this? Can I put my arm around you? Is this OK?"

"Yes, fine," Stevie chuckled, then she put her arm around me, tilted her head towards me, and smiled a gorgeous smile. Don also put his arm on my back, but when the lights flashed, for some reason, his smile disappeared!

After the photo was snapped, we had about a minute or so to speak to them before being hustled away. I turned to Stevie first, and told her how much her music meant to me, and other sentimental, gushy things I won't go into here because this is a Glenn Frey fansite, not a Stevie Nicks one. Then I moved over to let my friend talk to Stevie, and there was Don, right in front of me.

Face to face with Don Henley. My speech did not slow. "Don, it's so great of you to come down here. I really appreciate it. You guys sound great together, and it's awesome that you are helping out with AHI, and I just loved seeing you on tour with Stevie, and I love your music..."

"Thanks, thanks." Don smiled and nodded, very pleasant, as I continued to ramble on in that vein. He also shook my hand. My conversation wasn't the most enthralling and I'm sure he's heard it all before, but he was gracious. My motormouth fit a LOT into 30 seconds though.

For those of you who know who Waddy Wachtel is, he was standing next to Don, and I just had to say something. When you're a hardcore Stevie fan, you're familiar with her long-time musical director and friend Waddy Wachtel, a terrific guitarist in his own right. I turned to him and said deadpan, "And I can honestly say that I never thought I'd have my picture taken with Mr. Waddy Wachtel!" At that, Don cracked up again, as did Waddy. Then the people in charge were pulling me and my friend away so the next folks could come up.

Thus concluded my "meeting" with Don Henley. At least I got a picture! Now if only I could get a photo with Glenn Frey...

 

 

Site Information Index :: About Me