Meeting Maiden In Houston

[Maiden10_0]

Im hoping somebody can help me with this... My girlfriend and I are driving from New Orleans to Houston Friday night for the concert this coming Saturday. I'm hoping beyond hope to maybe get a chance to meet them. If anyone has read any of my previous posts, the last time I saw them live was in 88 for the original seventh son tour. The whole band walked in front of me from their bus to the arena door. A cop stopped us from getting signatures and my friend at the time had her camera in the car. Anyways, if anyone has any suggestions on the best place to get something signed by them in the Houston area I'd really appreciate it!

Thanks in Advance!

Brian

 

[Demigod_Tyek]

I'm not sure about the Houston area specifically, but I have some general advice for you, as I have also tried meeting them all of the four times I've seen them so far (but have yet succeeded) =(

First off, it depends on where they need to be the next day. If they have a concert the next night, in another city, you can almost guarantee the band members will be long gone before the concert goers even get out to the parking lot. This is what I was told by a security guard back in 2008. So this limits the chance of meeting them to before the concert, only. If they don't have to be somewhere the next night, there is a good chance they could be staying in your city for the night (or there's also a good chance it could be reversed, where they travel first, and then hang out in the next city until the next concert). When we were in Chicago a month ago, we had stopped at a gas station that was right outside the venue afterwards, and we saw Alice Cooper in a limousine parked at a hotel that was right behind the gas station. So they have to stay "somewhere".

Anyways, listen to the rock radio stations that are in or around Houston. If their stations are anything like a few stations here in St. Louis, they will keep you informed of anything going on that day regarding bands for upcoming concerts. When I saw them in Chicago a month ago, they kept mentioning how Alice Cooper was doing meet-and-greets, but unfortunately, no Iron Maiden.

This is probably the hardest of all, but could be the best possible chance to see them up close... try and find out where they are staying, or what time they are leaving/entering the venue (or hotel, or bar if they go to drink, etc). Because they have got to get to their vehicles somehow, which would open a 5-10 second window where they are in an open/public area (probably surrounded by police/bodygaurds). Again, you just have to keep your eyes/ears open, listen to radio stations, or just try your luck at the venue in meeting them.

I was so desperate to meet them in 2010, that I befriended a fanclub member on facebook just to ask her if she had any tips on what I could do to meet the band (she had SEVERAL pictures of her personally with all six members, so I figured it couldn't hurt to ask). She never even replied.... but that might be another piece to the puzzle: knowing the right person?

It is a dream of mine to meet the band, particular Bruce Dickinson. Just to shake their hand and say "Hello!", I wouldn't even need any autographs! I hope that I get to achieve it someday.

 

[Maiden10_0]

I'm not sure about the Houston area specifically, but I have some general advice for you, as I have also tried meeting them all of the four times I've seen them so far (but have yet succeeded) =(

First off, it depends on where they need to be the next day. If they have a concert the next night, in another city, you can almost guarantee the band members will be long gone before the concert goers even get out to the parking lot. This is what I was told by a security guard back in 2008. So this limits the chance of meeting them to before the concert, only. If they don't have to be somewhere the next night, there is a good chance they could be staying in your city for the night (or there's also a good chance it could be reversed, where they travel first, and then hang out in the next city until the next concert). When we were in Chicago a month ago, we had stopped at a gas station that was right outside the venue afterwards, and we saw Alice Cooper in a limousine parked at a hotel that was right behind the gas station. So they have to stay "somewhere".

Anyways, listen to the rock radio stations that are in or around Houston. If their stations are anything like a few stations here in St. Louis, they will keep you informed of anything going on that day regarding bands for upcoming concerts. When I saw them in Chicago a month ago, they kept mentioning how Alice Cooper was doing meet-and-greets, but unfortunately, no Iron Maiden.

This is probably the hardest of all, but could be the best possible chance to see them up close... try and find out where they are staying, or what time they are leaving/entering the venue (or hotel, or bar if they go to drink, etc). Because they have got to get to their vehicles somehow, which would open a 5-10 second window where they are in an open/public area (probably surrounded by police/bodygaurds). Again, you just have to keep your eyes/ears open, listen to radio stations, or just try your luck at the venue in meeting them.

I was so desperate to meet them in 2010, that I befriended a fanclub member on facebook just to ask her if she had any tips on what I could do to meet the band (she had SEVERAL pictures of her personally with all six members, so I figured it couldn't hurt to ask). She never even replied.... but that might be another piece to the puzzle: knowing the right person?

It is a dream of mine to meet the band, particular Bruce Dickinson. Just to shake their hand and say "Hello!", I wouldn't even need any autographs! I hope that I get to achieve it someday.

 

[Maiden10_0]

Thanks for the advice. I'll try all of your suggestions. The Houston show is the last of the tour so I don't know if they will be hopping a plane after the show or flying out the next morning. Guess I'll be hanging out by the buses after the show to see what happens...

 

[terrell39]

Thanks for the advice. I'll try all of your suggestions. The Houston show is the last of the tour so I don't know if they will be hopping a plane after the show or flying out the next morning. Guess I'll be hanging out by the buses after the show to see what happens...

I saw that show! Did you get to meet them?

 

[Maiden10_0]

I saw that show! Did you get to meet them?

Actually, we didn't get to meet them, but we did manage to see them arrive in a black limo bus on the left side of the pavilion center. They all waved to us and us back to them! Back in 1988 in New Orleans, the whole band got out of their bus and walked right in front of me. I reached out to try and get autographs and a cop grabbed me by my neck and pushed me away from Bruce as he was reaching to grab my sharpie. At that point he just shrugged and said "sorry 'bout that, mate!" And continued walking. Back to the Houston show, although I didn't get to meet them I was able to get a couple of drum heads signed... One by the whole band and another signed by Nicko. The crew was super nice and after begging, crying, and pleading my case about driving all the way from New Orleans and my 1988 experience, they hooked me up!
I have to say, as far as the actual show, the stage wasn't quite as elaborate as the 1988 stage, but the band sounded phenomenal and it was great being able to see them with Janick. The last time I saw those guys were in '88 and they sound and perform just as intense as ever. They're like a fine wine... Getting better with age!
I will say, they are masters at leaving the arena... After their final song they leave the house lights off and make it seem like they're coming back out for an encore. By the time the house lights come on, the band is already gone and headed to either the hotel or airport!