WYWM party

John performs on the
subway stairs

I was fortunate enough to be invited to attend the private premier party for John's new When You Were Mine album. The party was to be held in New York City and I live in Illinois. Oh, but I wasn't going to let that stop me. After all, just how often does one get invited to a private John Waite party???! So, I hopped on a plane and spent a wonderful couple of days in New York City.

My traveling companion for the trip was cyberpal and fellow Igniter Margaret MacQuarrie. Margaret is a huge John Waite fan like me and she traveled in from Halifax, Nova Scotia for the party. This was my first time meeting Margaret in person and she is just as sweet and funny in person as she is online. We had a great time in New York City together. We hit all the usual touristy stuff, of course, and we did a "self guided walking tour of John Waite's New York City." We walked down St. Marks, we had $7 drinks (ouch!) at the Temple Bar, we went to places John has mentioned in interviews, etc. And the high point of the trip was being able to attend John's release party on Tuesday night.

The party was held in a place you'd never expect--it was in a tiny, tiny bar tucked away in the corner of a subway stop. (Siberia Bar--50th and Broadway in Times Square.) And this wasn't just a party, John was to perform LIVE!! Now, I was expecting this to be an acoustic performance like his upcoming tour will be. I was wrong--John would perform backed by a full band!

Shane Fontayne--guitar
Jeff Golub--guitar
Andrew Hollander--keyboards
John Conte--bass
Tony Beard--drums

The band was not set up in the bar. Instead, they were to play on a landing on the subway stairs! Too wild. So, yes, John was performing as commuters stepped over his band's gear and walked past him to make their way to the subway train!!! And they were the best damn "street band" I've ever heard! <g>

John and his band performed six songs from the new album..."When You Were Mine," "Imaginary Girl," "Just Like a Woman," "Bluebird Cafe," "Let's Get Out of Here," and "I-95." Oh, man!!!! These songs are INCREDIBLE live!!! Hearing them live and electric adds a whole new dimension. They totally, totally rock. Magical.

John looked fabulous. OK, well, his outfit was a bit mismatched (baggy olive green cotton pants, fuscia plaid shirt, tan suit jacket) but otherwise, he looked great. Has this man discovered a fountain of youth or something? Oh, and for the all important hair report <g>...John's hair is longer now than in the WYWM CD booklet pics. Not quite like the Falling Backwards cover pic, but getting there. Lookin' good, John!

After the performance, I got my chance to be introduced to John. I've been a John Waite fan for 15 years, but I had never been lucky enough to meet him in person until this party. I was introduced to John as "This is Elizabeth, the woman who does all the stuff for you on the Internet." And, you know what? John may not be online, but he knew who I was! He greeted me with a hug and a kiss and thanked me for all that I do for him. He was so appreciative and gracious. And he was more than happy to sign autographs and pose for pictures. He was an absolute delight.

After talking with me a while, John excused himself to go talk to some other party attendees. But before he left, he asked me if I was going to be around for a while and told me that he would chat with me later. Wow--he really made me feel important. Sure enough, I got three more opportunities to talk to him that night. Took more pictures with him. And at one point he came up to the group I was with and asked if *he* could get *us* drinks. So, yes, THE John Waite got me a beer. Too wild.

Well, the evening ended much too quickly, but John specifically came over to say goodbye to us fans before he left. I can't emphasize enough how sweet and gracious he was. You know, I didn't think it possible, but now I'm an even bigger JW fan than I used to be! Thanks to John and the folks at Gold Mountain and Mercury for a great evening!

John Waite's When You Were Mine Record Release Party September 30, 1997 (subtitle: Elizabeth finally meets John for the first time)

**John Waite's When You Were Mine Record Release Party**
September 30, 1997
(subtitle: Elizabeth finally meets John for the first time)