Did you meet Joey Tempest ?

Hi! I met the guys in 2005 in USA.

In San Diego, we were at the venue early and saw Joey out the front of the venue. I was extremely nervous because I'd been a fan since I was 8 years old and was carrying 19 years of anticipation for this. My friend and I went over to him, and my friend started to talk to him saying I came from Australia to see the shows. Joey then said to me “Yeah, I saw you” referring to the fact he gave me his guitar pick during a song at the concert the night before, and I answered “Oh yeah thank you for that” or something similar. I asked him if he could sign my Final Countdown LP which he did and then my friend asked if she could take a photo of us. He said sure and we posed for the photo. I just stood next to him but he then put his arm around my back. After this we thanked him and left. Joey was pretty quiet and reserved but very nice and polite. After the show I stood at side stage near the band room door, to try to see the rest of the band. John Leven came out and he signed my LP but it was so crowded that there wasn't a chance to talk. I met Mic and Ian who were sitting on the steps of the tour bus meeting with fans. They were really cool and chatty. I got my LP singed by Ian and by Mic who was very worried that he could not see very well whether he would sign it in the right spot, and someone used their mobile phone to shine light on the album.

The next night in Sunset Strip I really wanted to meet John Norum and to get him to sign my LP as he was the last autograph I was missing. I saw John Leven again after the show and I asked him if John Norum had left, he said he wasn't sure. My friend told him I came from Australia for the shows and he made the cutest face ever and just put his arms around me and gave me a big hug. We stayed at this spot and then surprisingly Joey came out. I wasn’t really expecting to see him. I said hello and asked if he knew whether John Norum has left as I needed to get his autograph to complete the LP. He said John was still inside somewhere. I then said that this is it for me and I am going home after this show. He thanked me for coming out and then put his arms out for a hug. A guy I'd made friends with there then told him to pose with me as he wanted to take a photo of us. We said goodbye. This time meeting Joey was so much different and better because I was just casual and normal not a complete nervous wreck so he too was relaxed and really super nice and cool. After that someone gave me a backstage pass so I could go in. I asked a roadie if they knew where John Norum was and he motioned behind me. I turned around and there was John walking down the hallway towards me. I was so relieved to see him. I asked him with a begging voice to sign my album and he did. He was super sweet too.


All the guys were really amazing nice and friendly and I am still 7 years later so so happy I got to see them play and meet them all.

My photos are here: plus.google.com/photos/112082909169747976429/albums/5805079356369277457/5805079359810380962#photos/112082909169747976429/albums/5805079356369277457