Is there a drummer with a birthday around here???

I have had great difficulty writing this week. I don’t really know what it is, I just know the words simply aren’t coming the way they should. It’s frustrating really, because I have plenty of things I need to be writing and doing. It could be that this week has been busier than most, perhaps it’s that I feel as though I’m on the cusp of some personal growth and change…maybe it’s in the waiting for Dom Brown’s new CD to arrive in my mail. I’m just not sure, but that’s one more reason why I’m glad to have a birthday to write about today!

Not only is it a special birthday, but this also marks the 600th blog.  I’m stunned that Amanda and I have come up with 600 topics to write about, and what’s more – there are days when I have more topics than time to write.  It’s safe to say that we’ll be around for at least 600 more.  As long as the band keeps playing, we’ll keep writing.  We’re not done yet!

I don’t have a ton of Roger stories in my personal collection. That saddens me just a little because…and I don’t mean to play favorites…but he’s been my favorite since day one. Well, maybe not quite day one since on that day, I’d only heard Planet Earth. Perhaps since whatever day it was that I saw Hungry Like the Wolf, because I think that was the first video I saw of theirs.  Don’t quote me on that, as the memory is distinctly fuzzy. Yes, distinctly. Dark hair? Brooding looks? At least seemingly quiet and shy? SOLD. I loved the fact that there weren’t many other Roger girls around. Most tended to go for John or Simon, and while I didn’t deny their good looks, they were just too obvious of choices. So, I stuck with the drummer and was rather proud of the fact that I didn’t have to fight over him amongst my friends.

We all know that Roger left the band after Live Aid in 1985 even though his permanent departure wasn’t announced until 1986. (That’s according to the ever-accurate Wikipedia and NOT my memory.) The more important piece of the puzzle for me was that he returned. I can still feel a sense of joy when I think about the first time I realized that he was back in the band.  My husband says I glow when I talk about it, which is utter nonsense. I am not thirteen years old, and while I might spend a small fortune going to concerts and traveling…I don’t glow (without help from a set of horns, that is).  After the reunion, I found that suddenly there were more Roger girls than ever before. It was alarming, really! Alas, I’ve grown used to the idea that I must share. Sigh. He must know that he is very well loved, indeed.

As I said before, I really don’t have a lot of personal stories with Roger. One story I haven’t shared here yet happened in Milwaukee back in 2005. Back in those days, I had horns. No, it’s true – I had a set of light up horns that I would wear to the concerts. Yes, we were dorks, but it was fun. I was not the only one with these horns, and when worn en masse, we quite possibly stopped traffic, or at least made people question whether or not they should call the authorities. At the show in Milwaukee, I’m not sure what row we were in, but we must have been closer than I’d realized because during Chauffeur, Roger went offstage for a bit. It was then that I spied him looking out into the audience with Dave (their trusty bodyguard), and Dave was pointing out at something. I remember seeing him point, and then somehow, my hand made it’s way up to my hair, and that’s when I realized, oh my god, I’m wearing those damn horns, aren’t I?  They are pointing at me. At my horns. Weakly I brought my hand ever so slowly back down to my side and thought about what to do next.  Do I ignore them and keep swaying my way through Chauffeur? Do I smile triumphantly? Should I hold up my Roger sign?? So I did what anyone else with no sanity or self-preservation left would do – I waved and smiled like a mad-woman, attracting even more attention to myself.  (Hey. If you’re going to look like an ass, you might as well own it. I did.)  Roger smiled and waved back.  Naturally, I squealed like a pig at that point…and if you’re laughing at this story right now, you’re laughing because you know you’d have done it too. Unless of course you’re Roger Taylor, in which case, well…I just don’t know what to say. I’d apologize for being stupid, but it was my one moment of glory when it comes to you.

I don’t wear the horns any longer. They served their time well, and they’ve since been retired.

I haven’t had quite the luck in personal interaction that my partner in crime has had.  I really shouldn’t steal her thunder, but the fact is I’ve listened through a particular story from a recent tour where not only was she sitting next to Dom Brown…but Roger Taylor as well.  Both of my favorites in one place. Amanda in between. How does that happen without me?!  My luck is seriously lacking, folks. The best I’ve gotten has been a disdainful glance as he approached a pub I was standing outside of while waiting for friends. I know, it’s my light hair and fair skin…and the word “Duranie” that is forever inscribed on my forehead.

Like anyone else, I’ve enjoyed seeing the posts from Roger over the past year or so on Facebook. I wish he’d participate more often, but I can’t help but grin when I see him interact, and as hard as I try – I can’t help but post responses. I have no idea if he ever really reads what is said (I doubt it), but if he does, then he knows just how much the fan community really does love and respect him, and how glad we are that he’s still the one behind the drum kit.

Happy Birthday Roger!!  We all hope you have a wonderful birthday and many many more ahead!

-R

By the way, I’m still hoping for that drumstick one day.  Biloxi? Durham??  See you on the road this summer!!