Star struck

October 2, 2008 6:07 AM

I'd really like to get a book signed by a (relatively) big rockstar. What's the best way to go about this? I dont really want to hang around the stage door when they come on tour and it's unlikely they'll be doing promotional events in my area. Can you help me rach the stars!?
posted by BadMiker to media & arts (14 comments total)

Are you willing to mail it off, and wait for it to be returned to you? If you're ok with that, I'd start with their official fan club, if they have one.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 6:16 AM on October 2, 2008

this is impossible to answer. there is no standard practice rulebook they all follow. give us the name and perhaps someone can get you their agent, manager, agency, other representation. people are too different.
posted by krautland at 6:48 AM on October 2, 2008

Well having recently done something very similar... I started by contacting the band through the Web site. The Web master actually made all the arrangements for me to get backstage at a show (I had already purchased tix.) Be prepared for some disappointment though. Most working bands just want to get off stage and back to the hotel or to dinner, and care little for the 40 or 50 people who have 'scored' passes.
posted by Gungho at 6:49 AM on October 2, 2008

Thanks for the info so far. I thought the actual band would be irrelevant, but if anybody knows how to get in touch with Motorhead then I'd be very grateful!
posted by BadMiker at 6:57 AM on October 2, 2008

Many of them have publicists or some kind of PR. If you contact them they'll probably ask you to mail it in and they'll try to sign it for you.
posted by damn dirty ape at 7:27 AM on October 2, 2008

Yeah, I'd suggest contacting through their website, and maybe going a step further, finding out who their management is and contacting them.
posted by PFL at 7:27 AM on October 2, 2008

lemmy should be relatively approachable as he regularly poses for pictures but I second trying to dig up who webmasters/manager/promoters are. also try to get a hot girl to ask him for the signature.
posted by krautland at 7:39 AM on October 2, 2008

check out fanmail.biz. my SO is an administrator and an avid collector of autographs. search on the name and see if people have had success getting his/her autograph. this is seriously the best way.
posted by Mach5 at 7:42 AM on October 2, 2008

There's contact info on this page. Try sending them the book along with a nice letter. Going through the management company usually get the best response.
posted by gfrobe at 7:50 AM on October 2, 2008

Frankly, you should just overcome your reluctance to hover around and wait for him at the stage door. You needn't be bashful for Lemmy.
posted by Beardman at 9:29 AM on October 2, 2008

Thanks for the help guys. It's all great, and those contacts look wonderful; email's are in the post even as we speak!

BTW; my reticence about stage doors is more to do with dreich Scottish nights than any shyness!
posted by BadMiker at 9:59 AM on October 2, 2008

I am NOT a groupie, but I've gotten many an autograph (and a photo with said star) by hanging out in the hotel lobby or hotel bar where the band is staying. Most cities have only a few four- or five-star hotels where bands on tour stay. For example, where I lived (metro Detroit), bands stayed at either of the two Hiltons or at the Ritz-Carlton. It was a simple matter to cruise by each place during the day and look for tour buses in the parking lot. I got autographs/photos from Queen, Kiss, Blondie, the Go-Gos, Elvis Costello, Motley Crue, Devo and a few others simply by finding the correct hotel and sitting in the lobby during the afternoon of the concert (bands go to the venue during the day for a sound check and return to the hotel for dinner/rest). They also unwind at the hotel bar after the show, so that's another opportunity to hang out and meet them.
posted by Oriole Adams at 10:53 AM on October 2, 2008

I've worked at several concert venues, and stars are generally happy to sign for fans by the stage door. I realize you don't want to wait around the stage door, but really, it's probably your best bet. It's also the easiest way to get their attention, and your book / letter / etc won't get ignored by staffers or lost along the way.

The hotel lobby / bar idea is also a good suggestion. It impinges on their personal space a bit more, though. Post-concert stage door is still kind of mentally "performing/concert" mode, not "relaxing with friends/family" personal time.
posted by soleiluna at 12:18 PM on October 2, 2008

You could also try contacting the local/regional sales rep for the distributor* (Motorhead's distributed by EMI, at least in Canada). Not label, distributor.

They'll always have backstage passes for themselves, a few for industry folk, and a few extras. With bands of Motorhead calibre, there's often a meet and greet organized (in my experience they're often before the show) so the local record store people can shake hands and lie say how much they like the new album.

(I've been to several, they're usually an awkward mix of teary fanboys/girls and people who are only there because they know someone.)

* there's one guy here in Vancouver who is loathed by all the reps. He bullies his way into every event (even Girlicious) for free by saying he's autistic and then threatening that he's the victim of discrimination. Don't be that guy.
posted by rhinny at 10:17 PM on October 2, 2008