The concert itself was great, naturally. I really had no idea what to expect, though I knew it couldn't be 1969 again. But I wasn't disappointed in the least, especially as to what happened afterwards. I saw women of all ages, and suddenly realized they now had fans both young and old, because of their resurgence in popularity from the reunion in the 1980's. I just didn't partake in all that as a fan at the time. Real life and growing up or growing out of them as time went by, ya know? I did pay attention to any current news of them at that time, however, a Hollywood star on the walk of fame, Mike performing with them, etc.....and the first time I heard That Was Then on the radio I had to do a double-take. Whaa?? Is that Micky's voice? Nah, I must be hearing things, I said to myself. But I'd recognize that voice anywhere, and I knew it was. Anyway.....
Before the concert, I saw they were selling pictures of the 3 of them. Ah-hah! That meant they'd be around somewhere after the show to sign them, I figured. Well, outside the venue somewhere was a door marked 'stage', with a line of people quickly forming when the show was over. I got in the line while my husb brought the car closer. It got even longer behind me, when a man poked his head out that door and said, "If you want to see them, they'll be in the Khaki Lounge around in front, shortly."
I shouted at my husb as I went running to the car, "We've got to go to the lounge in front! A man said that's where they will be! Com'on, hurry!" I was screaming at him and jumping up and down like a madwoman.
"Calm down", he laughed. "I'll get you there." So around to the front we drove, and in we went.
After we were seated at a table around the perimeter of the bar, my husb went up and got a couple of beers for us. I sat and watched the place fill up with people quickly, but I didn't see any Monkees - yet. When he came back, he said, "You know, Micky is up there sitting on a stool.."
"You SAW him already?!??"
"Yep, over in that corner there", he gestured. "He's eating."
"Where? Where?", I said as I began to stand-up-sit-down.
"Over there. There's a line already forming."
"There is?!??"
"Ya, go check it out." So I got up and tried to head in that direction. TRIED is the word. People were everywhere the closer I got. I could hear them talking to one another, "He'll sign pictures when he's done eating", the word was passed down. I couldn't see him, so I sat back down. "He's eating", I said. "He'll sign when he's done."
"Told ya he was eating" my husb said.
At that moment, in walks PETER! At that point, my husb began to chuckle, watching the little fangirl in me. I was totally in Monkee heaven. Up-down-up-down watching Peter move about, and still trying to see Micky through the crowd. And THEN - in walks Davy!! Not only that, but he sits down at a table right near me. He had 2 women with him, who were dressed in business-type clothes. "Oh-my-god", I say. "I can't believe they are all right here in front of me!!" Mind you, by now I am hysterical, but whispering.
"The line's moving for Micky now...you'd better get in it", he says.
I took in a very deep breath, picture in hand, and went to the line. I can't believe this is happening I think to myself. My turn, and all I could do was say, "Hi Micky! Will you sign my picture?"
"Sure darlin'," he said and took the picture. Then he gave me a puzzled look, like as if to say 'anything else?'
But I just shook his hand and said, "Thanks! I've been a fan since I was 13."
"Really?", he said as he smiled at me.
"Yep!", and I quickly made my exit. I was so thrilled, I had to just sit down a minute!
Then I saw Peter standing alone, so I went up to him before he became otherwise occupied. At the same time, another woman was approaching him. "Well hello", Peter said to us. "And what can I do for you?"
"Umm...uh...um...", the other woman stammered, holding a picture. It was clear to me that she could not speak.
So I said, "We'd like to have your autograph." The woman just shook her head in agreement, and sorta thrust out her picture for Peter to sign. She stepped back and then she was gone. My turn.
"You two know each other?", Peter asked me.
"No...", I replied. "I just could see her, uh....dilemma, cuz I could barely hold it together when I met Micky a few minutes ago."
"Oh!", Peter said, laughing. "That was very kind of you."
"Bah, it was nothing," I answered. Then I suddenly realized that I was having a conversation with him. Now it was my turn to exit. "Thanks", I told Peter, and off I went back to my husb. Up-down-up-down, where's Micky, over there, where's Peter, there he is. He thought it was hilarious, watching me watch them.
Of course, I also approached Davy, who was still seated near me. "Hi," I said. "I saw you just a couple years ago at a concert in Hammond."
"Did you now," he said, as he took the picture.
"Yes, but you probably don't remember me."
"No but I remember Hammond," he said. And he signed the picture.
After a bit more time passing in which I watched and whispered hysterically to my husband, who thought it was hysterical to watch me, I was ready to go. He needed to get up in the morning for work. One more thing, I didn't bring a camera! Nor when I went to Navy Pier. Especially here - I had no idea that I'd be in this proximity to Micky, Davy, and Peter. I coulda kicked myself royal! Ah well, but I have the memory of it, etched in this little fangirls' mind forever.
