http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1550742.php
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Celebrities help light up Anaheim event Attendees stand in long lines and raise their cameras for a range of musicians.
By SARAH TULLY
The Orange County Register
Fans of the pop-punk band Yellowcard lined up for autographs about a half-hour before the major Mexican rock act, Maná, got ready to set up in the same booth.
In the next hall, an entourage led Motown star Stevie Wonder down the aisle as gawkers snapped cameras over their heads. A few exhibits away, pop band Duran Duran enthusiasts lined up early for bassist John Taylor's signing session.
Oh, and there were musical products for sale, too.
The NAMM Show, the largest annual event at the Anaheim Convention Center, is open only to members of the musical instruments and products industry. Attendees can buy anything from speaker cords to synthesizers. But many among the 87,500 expected this weekend were aiming to meet as many celebrities as they could find.
"My main goal today is to meet my rock 'n' roll idols, see the guys I grew up with," said Ed O'Brien, 48, of Greenfeet Productions in Costa Mesa, as he watched singer Graham Nash on Friday afternoon.
The International Music Products Association's four-day event, which ends today, features many acts who show up to endorse products, announce partnerships and make other appearances.
Some musicians are listed on the official schedule, but others come unannounced or perform at invitation-only concerts put on by companies. Guitarist Eddie Van Halen was expected to show up at some point.
It's not too hard to find someone famous.
At about 2 p.m. Friday, Nash of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young performed mostly to men with receding hairlines and graying ponytails. Next door, guitarist Dave Mustaine of Megadeth signed autographs for the black- and torn-clothes crowd.
In the next aisle over, Paul Stanley from KISS endorsed pictures from his white makeup days. Across the aisle, fans, including Ericka Richards, waited for guitarist Joe Satriani to show up.
"I called today Satriani day. I made them get here an extra half-hour early," Richards, 20, said about her five classmates who are all music-industry majors from State University of New York at Oneonta.
On Saturday, Sandy Takahashi of Honolulu got to the front of the line with a friend at 10 a.m. for Taylor's 2:30 p.m. appearance.
"I've loved Duran Duran since I was like 12 years old," said Takahashi, 37. "It's always been one of my dreams to meet one of the members. I've waited over 20 years."
Taylor, during a news conference, said he enjoys seeing such loyal fans, who have lined up at other promotional events for his guitars. "I live for this," Taylor joked.