Denise Alcaraz meets John Waite

Henderson, NV
November 21, 1998
(VENUE: Sunset Station)

Thanks to Denise Alcaraz for sharing her story & picture with Net Waite.

First of all, I have to publicly thank my dear, sweet husband. He indulged me this trip to see John and I couldn't have been more excited and happy (still am). Thanks Sweeeeetie. He likes John, but would never have gone to the extent that we did just to see him.

The trip started off horribly. We were pushing time for our flight, I almost lost my purse, which contained my precious CDs and a Broken Heart CD that I had Robert Scheidegger send me to have autographed. The only though that ran through my mind was "OMG, what am I going to tell Robert, he's going to hate me for losing his CD." I was on the verge of tears. The flight was leaving in 2 minutes. Then I remembered, the METAL DETECTOR. I left it there in my haste! I RAN so fast, breathless, on a mission, determined to make my flight.

I was greatly relieved to see my purse, claimed it, and again, RAN to the gate. We were the last 2 on the plane. The whole plane could hear my heavy panting (I gotta work out some more). I sat shaking, panting, and nearly crying, not even able to sit next to hubby. Ten minutes into the flight, I calmed myself and then apologized to my husband for miscalculating our time and snapping at him several times. Apology accepted. My mind was still racing. "I can't wait to meet Doug G., Kim F., Scott I, Colleen, Cindy,........" I started planning what I'd say to John during the meet & greet, etc.

Finally, we landed in Vegas, rented a car and drove to Sunset Station. We checked into our room and then hit the casino. We aren't gamblers, so we scoped the place out, people watched, then played and lost $30 big ones in a

very short time. I really wanted to play blackjack for the first time, but found the placed filled with mostly slot machines. The blackjack tables were closed, and I couldn't find a damn blackjack machine.

Then we headed back for our room. I can't remember why but I was glad we did. I saw a group of 5 guys at the registration desk. The one that caught my eye had disheveled and spiky two-tone hair with a guitar hanging off his shoulders. My eyes widened as I realized that this was probably John's band. (I found out later that it was Ricky Byrd, John's guitarist.) I scanned further then SAW HIM. He was talking to the clerk, but I KNEW WHO IT WAS, even from behind. Wearing a rather nice tailored long tweed-type brown blazer and dark pants, it was JOHN WAITE. My heart raced.

Timidly, I approached him. At an opportune moment, I touched his arm lightly and he turned toward me, kind of bouncy-like, and he looked straight at me. I felt lightheaded and wondered just what I'd say to him, without taking up too much of his precious time. Then it came out, "Hello John, my name is Denise Alcaraz and I've been a fan for a long time. I'm REALLY looking forward to your show tonight." JW: "Oh, thank you very much." A couple more brief words were exchanged, but my memory is failing me. All I remember is that face. He wore a sweet smile, a closed mouth half-smile, with focused dark eyes, and a glowing energy surrounded him too. This moment is burned into my memory, and it's a good thing too, because even with my "good" camera in my purse, I forgot to get a picture.

As I said good-bye to John, I heard my name being called. I turned around and saw a man smiling wide with a twinkle in his eyes. "Doug!?" DG:"Yeah." It was fellow online fan Doug Guillory. I gave him a big hug and a howdie. "I'm soooo glad to finally meet you!" Doug has just as sweet a face and as sweet a nature as he appears on e-mail. Definitely worth getting to know! Then I saw, who I correctly assumed was Dave, standing next to Doug and introduced myself. Doug was getting ready to say hi to John, so we left toward our room. I was on such a high (natural, of course) that I floated towards the elevator. Just before it closed, in walks Doug & Dave. Doug & I were visibly shaken, while Dave & my husband gave each other an "Oh brother" kind of glance. DG: "OMG, I'm still shaking, I can't believe we just talked to John Waite." Me: "Me too." So shaken, we didn't say much else, except, see you at dinner tonight at 5:30.

After the high of meeting John up close in the lobby, I didn't know if it could get any better. After having dinner with Doug G & Dave (we had a great time chatting, even my hubby and Dave had a nice time), the countdown was on. We didn't go to the first show. (Doug & I would have but didn't think our other halves would. <sigh>)

Club Madrid was a very intimate place that I believe seated 300. No seat was bad, but second row seats were awesome. You could touch the stage while seated from first row. I didn't expect a first act for the show, but this comedian named Geechi Guy came on. He was okay, but his voice was annoying. (I suppose that was the point.) To make matters worse, two local radio station DJs came on stage and chattered nonsense. They gave out a prize of a roll of duct tape signed by John to an audience member who was having a birthday that night, then they make a stupid joke about "you now have a tape of John Waite" (I forgot to laugh <g>).

Now I'm really anxious. I looked back at Doug directly behind me. He was wide eyed with anticipation too. John hit the stage next with soooooo much energy, it was truly exciting. He opened with a few lines of "CC Rider" then said then said, "I'm feeling very Elvis tonight." Dressed in a black suit & shirt and very sharp looking, he then sang "When I See You Smile." "Act of Love" followed. Then John sang "When You Were Mine" and it was a little disappointing because he didn't know the words and kept looking down at the floor, on which was laying a printed copy of the lyrics. Then at one point, he squatted down, flipped though the pages (and missed singing a couple of lines) then got back up to sing some more. He nervously looked to Shane with a half smile and a shoulder shrug and continued singing.

Then he sang "Imaginary Girl" & "Price of Love." His voice was in good form though, hitting the high notes, changed the rhythm of some of the lyrics, and improvised a little. He had so much energy that night and it really showed. The high-energy part of the night occurred next with John belting out the songs "Saturday Night" & "Change" (the house ROCKED, as did John). Having been to four other shows of his since 82, this was definitely one of the best. I sang to all of his songs. (Mouthed the words actually; I didn't want to hear MY voice, just his.)

The pace relaxed when an acoustic set followed. Shane & John were the only two on stage. JW: "This song is for every woman in here from every man in here." He sang "Valentine." I think the best song of the night was "Downtown." He closed his eyes as he sang. It was beautiful. During the part when he sings "someone sounds just like me", a fan shouts "NO THEY DON'T" and John smiled. When he finished, John said, "I love that song." The rest of the band came back on stage and the energy rose. More songs: "Missing You" & "Midnight Rendezvous." I was in true heaven. My husband & Dave seemed to really be enjoying the show, too. I looked back at Dave and he was smiling and rock'n, my husband was tapping his feet to the beat and singing!

Now the show was ending, John said, "Ricky has to catch a plane, so I guess we will do the encore now.... I wrote this song a long time ago when I was this high" (hand about waist high). He again rocked the house with "Head First." John motioned for us to stand up, and we eagerly complied, shouted & clapped. John gave his thanks to all, "I do this because of you", and then left the stage. "Encore" was being shouted! And within a couple of minutes, John & the band returned. John thanked the audience again and the staff members. "Here's a rockabilly song" and right away started with "I-95" which rocked everybody's ears, head, arms, legs.

John ended the song squirting the rest of his water bottle over the crowd in the front rows, shaking our hands, and an audience member even managed to get kissed by him (not me, unfortunately). "You don't know how much it means to me to come here and play for you!" Oh but John, you don't know how much it means to us all that you play for US!!!!!! The show was over, but the excitement wasn't. I was getting excited about the Meet & Greet with John.

We were first told to just stay put by the stage. So the room cleared except for those with passes and such. Five minutes later, we were told to wait outside the club by a side door. So we all hung out by the side door next to casino goers playing slots. It was pretty crowded and the wait was long. We all mingled a bit. Then I said that "I gotta find Kim" and then a woman next to me calls my name. There was online fan Kim F. right next to me to whole time. Too wild. I even met Scott I. this way. I heard his name being called, then I introduced myself to him and chatted with him and his wife, Diane. I saw some guy showing Brett, who manned the club back door, a bunch of license plates, one of which read something like "N2 JNW8". After what seemed like forever, possibly 30 minutes or more, a few people were let in two by two back into the club. John & Chris (John's manager) were standing next to the booths in the back of the club.

I went solo. My husband decided not to go with me inside. He didn't want to "take up" John's or the fans time with John. It was my turn, into the club I went. The Meet and Greet rules were that you could only get one item signed, so I chose my WYWM CD. I stood back a few feet, motionless. Then John all of a sudden, as if startled or possessed with very quick reflexes, looks to the ground where my feet are, then looks up quickly meeting my eyes (this moment is burned into my memory). Now girls, John has very intense brown eyes, and if you aren't melted by these baby browns then, your hearts are of stone. Oh my knees shook. I said something stupid and very ladylike. <g> I regretted it immediately. I introduced myself and I think I gave him a quick hug.

JW: Did I met you before in the audience?

DA: No. It was in the lobby. I thought the show was fantastic! I really enjoyed it.

JW: Thank you.

DA: I have something for you. (Handing him an envelope with a letter and pix.) It's got pictures of the 1982 Ignition tour at the Old Waldorf San Francisco.

JW: (Looks at me with amazement) Am I wearing a bow tie?

DA: No, you're not wearing a tie at all.

JW: Am I wearing a shirt with a bunch of giraffes on it?

DA: (Now I'm kinda puzzled) No. Well, here look. (Showing him a blown up shot of one of the photos in his envelope that I brought for him to sign.)

JW: (Stares at it for a long while then whispers) Oh, just a boy!

DA: It was the first time I ever saw you in concert.

The woman running the meet and greet pushes my WYWM CD toward John, and he signs it "To Denise, Lots 'o Love John Waite XXX." As he puts my CD down, he notices a Head First CD on the table.

JW: Do you want me to sign this one too?

DA: Sure! It's my friend Robert's CD. He signs it!

Chris: Do you want a picture taken?

I hand him my rinky dink automatic camera. (Damn, I wish I brought my good camera.) John pulls me in close around the shoulder. <click> Chris asks if I want another picture. DUH. <click>

I thank John for his time and give him a big hug and kiss on the cheek. (I can still feel it <sigh>). As I pull away, I wipe the minute smudge of lipstick off his cheek. It's a little habit of mine, and quite automatic, but as I did it, I was embarrassed. He just smiled politely and said "Thanks."

Later on, I realized John DID in fact wear a bow tie during the Old Waldorf concert. He didn't wear it for long, so I forgot. But I have the proof in picture (of which he now has a copy). DAMN, I wished I remembered then. I can only imagine the conversation we could have had about it <g>. Well, that's what happens when you're a deer struck by headlights! Oh well, at least I FINALLY got to meet the man in person if only for a few moments. I still can't believe it. He really looks good "these days."