Adriane Givant meets John Waite

As I paged through the Orange County Weekly one afternoon in early October, it never occurred to me that the near future would play out such a significant event. I skim the OC Weekly at the end of each week in an effort to keep up with what entertainment is going on locally. On this particular day, I came across a name that struck a melodic chord. John Waite was playing at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. I had never been there before, but had heard that it’s a small venue with great visibility. I decided that if I missed this opportunity to see one of my fave pop/rock voices of all time, I might live to regret it. Had I only known what was really in store for me that night….

My seat was toward the middle of the stage – perhaps a distance of 10 yards away. I could hardly sit still, having looked forward to this evening for a good three weeks. Little did I know, the couple sitting across the table from me travel regularly to see John Waite and are up on his most current events. I may have caught their eye by the fact that I was wearing a John Waite T-shirt that I picked up at a concert during his No Brakes tour days – a true classic, I believe. We struck up a conversation, and I was soon to discover that after the show a line forms to meet & greet John, take pictures, get autographs, etc. I couldn’t have been happier but realized that I was unprepared for this momentous occasion – nothing to sign, no previous pictures. As I was contemplating my dreadful unpreparedness, the couple from across the table (who shall now be given names – Diane & Scott) handed me an 8 x 10 photo that they had brought to have autographed and, in fact, had been given as a gift by Net Waite's Elizabeth, who took the shot at a prior JW show. I couldn’t believe my good fortune but was not surprised that JW would have such generous, supportive fans.

As the end of the show approached and we were waiting for John to appear, I was getting more nervous and excited but hoped to be able to contain myself in his presence. That, of course, was not to happen. We were waiting toward the end of the line. By this time I had really hooked up with Diane & Scott  and they offered to take a picture or two of me with JW when my "turn" came along to meet him. The moment was finally here, and as I approached the counter behind which he was standing, I inadvertently banged right into it, almost spilling his drink. (Fortunately we didn’t get a picture of that!)  Gracious as ever, though, not a chuckle or a grimace did he make. Feeling deep down inside that he must have been delighted to see this T-shirt reappear after so many years, it was he, in fact, who suggested we get a picture. And thanks to Diane & Scott, here is the picture – a fond reminder of that evening (and of these new friends) – that I will cherish forever.

--Adriane Givant

Do you have a "I met John" picture and/or story that you would like to share with Net Waite?  If so, e-mail me!

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