Okay, so it’s not my greatest celebrity encounter in the world – it’s still fun. During the Summer of 2006, I became obsessed with collecting every Number One Billboard song ever produced – and wedged snugly in the middle of 1956, not long after the dawn of rock, was a snappy little number called “The Wayward Wind” by Gogi Grant. It peaked at number one on June 16 and remained there for six weeks. Have to admit: first time I’d ever heard of her. Flash forward to February 16, 2007. I’m at the Hollywood Collector’s Show and who should I see sitting there, virtually alone? None other than Gogi Grant herself! And at only $5.00 for this cardboard 5 x 7 head shot, how could I go wrong?
Although less than enthused about posing for a picture with me after I had only shelled out a fiver, bypassing her array of CD’s for sale, she did nonetheless submit to taking a photo with me. And she added the name of her #1 song on the picture. Swell!
The other wayward wind meets Gogi Grant
The autographs and encounters from Hollywood ’07 will continue…
Dear Brad: Sorry to hear about your bad experiences at the Ray Courts Autograph Show. That guy has done more to ruin the fan movie star conventions than anyone else. I have been to Western and nostalgia conventions where some of the TV western stars have been guests. I prefer the older stars who appeciate their fans and are not so intent on seeing how much money they can make. Particularly if their rooms and display tables are paid for. The first time I recall paying for autographs was at a Western film convention where Gordon Scott and Steve Reeves were present. They were asking for $5 an autograph. The promoters had to convince them to sign the programs for free. Tommy Sands, Frankie Avalon, and Edd “Kookie” Byrnes are notorious for hiking their prices. I usually either bought a photo from the star or brought one with me to sign. Dale Robertson had some guy with him to look at and evaluate the photo before signing so he knew what to charge. If you were a Stan and Ollie fan, and had written to Stan Laurel, I know that he would have responded with a letter. I’ve heard that he was one star who appreciated his fans. Thanks for posting.
Mike Newton
January 5th, 2012