The Berlin Extravaganza 3

For the previous chapters, see The Berlin Extravaganza 1 and The Berlin Extravaganza 2

In we went, arm in arm with Nile. Backstage was clinical white. There was a sign saying Medical Rooms pointing to where we were going. When I read it out loud, Nile said "I know!", acknowledging the irony. Some coincidences are just too freaky some times. 

And then it's all a bit of a blur, the order of events being unclear to me now. The band were getting ready to hit the road on the way to Frankfurt, so everyone was rushing to get out of the door. There were other people claiming Nile's attention, it was a bit frantic and I was star struck. There was such a feel of hastiness and hurry, that I unconsciously got sucked into it myself. I don't know how long I was backstage, I don't remember what I talked to Nile about, though I don't think I said much of any consequence. I was in a sort of cool daze. But this much I remember: a calm, collected, kind man right in the middle of mayhem. While I was letting myself be taken into the flow, he remained quietly standing, letting it all flush by. That's what Nile is like, I suppose.

Oh, but it was wonderful! And I do remember some of it!

My husband and I noticed Nile was tired, and it was my better half who said "Do you need sometime for yourself?" Nile gladly took it, saying "Yes, I need a couple of minutes".

I took the opportunity to run off to Kim and Folami's dressing room, to find the two nicest, patient, loveliest ladies ever. I was being a totally silly fan and they put up with me with a laugh!

Back to Nile's dressing room, I caught Jerry and had a photo taken. Literally caught him, grabbing his coat and everything!

Nile & me in his dressing room, me with Kim & Folami, and me grabbing Jerry's coat for a photo

I'm holding my copy of Le Freak upside down, which Nile kindly signed (oh prized possession!). That pretty much sums up the whole experience for me. Metaphorically speaking, that is. In a Diana Ross upside down sort of way. 

 

Nile & Me

This whole backstage experience was a first for me, and one I will certainly never forget as long as I live. It is, however, the third time I came across someone who had a part in writing the music that moves me, the first being Dave Grohl back in 1998 and the second John Taylor in September last year. But those are another two blogs - at least.

What is it that makes us want so much to be around the people we admire, to surpass obstacles in order to get there, only to find ourselves facing that person and be at a complete loss for words? Where do all the things you want to say go? 

I missed the show almost entirely in Berlin, but come September, Chic will be playing in Amsterdam, at the Paradiso, and when the doors open, I will be the first one in. Or second. Definitely in the first ten! A whole bunch of us from Nile's blog will be meeting and I can hardly wait for it. 

Thank you, Nile, for being the gentleman you are, and thank you all members of Chic, you are a class act! See you in the Summer!