Ever since I was a kid, the whistled version of Sweet Georgia Brown has indicated that the Harlem Globetrotters were coming to town. I can’t say exactly when it was, but I do recall seeing the Globetrotters live at least once and always enjoyed their antics, trick shots, and sense of fun in their exhibition basketball games – which were the hoops version of professional wrestling. Meadowlark Lemon is one of the most famous of the team, having played for them for 22 years and over 16,000 games.
Known as the ‘Clown Prince’ of the team, Meadowlark made an appearance at the Chiller Theatre show in Parsippany, New Jersey, on April 18, 2009, and I made sure that he made the cut of celebrities that I aimed to meet.
Although his price list stated that the prices were ‘suggested donations’, I paid the ‘suggested’ $25 to get the signed photo above. But when I asked to get a photo with him, his handler suggested that it would be an additional $20. Thankfully, the prince of a man that he was, Meadowlark intervened and said that I had purchased a photo and he would pose for free. I asked if we could pose with the basketball that was for sale on his table, and he obliged for that as well. Cool guy and looking good for being in his late 70’s.
Celebrities of the 2009 Chiller Theatre Show will continue…
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