White Swirl

So here's the story, I had a backstage pass for the wiltern, my friends didnt. I hung out for a little bit, maybe 15-20 mins after the show. I was gonna leave because my friends were waiting but I really wanted to ask Jack to sign my blunderbuss (I have the lightning bolt). That is where I went wrong, I suppose.

Like I said, my friends were waiting, so I didnt want to take all day. When I saw the chance, I said, 'Hey Jack, hows it goin? I'm a big fan, I went to all of your LA shows.' To which he replied, "Oh Yea, thats great, You're a big fan." It kinda sounded like he was mocking me, but I couldnt really tell, I dont know how he normally talks. Then I asked. 'Hey Jack, I hate to ask this, but would you mind signing Blunderbuss for me?' To which he replied, 'Yea sure, give me a second.' I was really excited, and said thanks.
I had an Amoeba bag with blunderbuss in it, along with some other things, kind of like a man purse, and I started looking for my sharpie. Before I could find it, Jacks assistant?, or someone, tapped me on the shoulder and said they had to escort me out. (I assume Jack motioned for him to throw me out, because I don't think anyone else heard our brief conversation.) I said I could just leave, but he said that he had to escort me all the way out and make sure I dont return. So I left.

I would have appreciated a simple "No" as opposed to mocking me and having me thrown out, but I reckon beggars can't be choosers.

I was just wondering If anyone had any similar stories. Did I catch him on an off night? Has something like this happened to anyone else? Something totally different? Does he just truly despise being asked for an autograph? Am I 100% to blame for asking in the first place? Ive seen enough of his autographs on ebay to think he must do it sometimes, although I suppose they could be fakes.

If your input is "don't ask for an autograph," I already learned that lesson. Message received loud and clear.

How did you get your back stage pass?

at least he didn't give you a sacksmack.

I got my backstage pass from a friend of a friend of a friend. Seriously. A friend twice removed I suppose? There was probably at least 50 people back there.

Haha yea I guess. Luckily my sack in still intact.

well that sucks dude. I feel bad for you. I have no idea why that happened but keep trying.

hawke000 wrote:well that sucks dude. I feel bad for you. I have no idea why that happened but keep trying.

Thanks, Yea I was/am pretty bummed about it. I don't know if I should keep trying. I'm way past overanalyzing at this point, but the two things I know for sure are

1. I would not get an autograph without asking.

2. None of this would have happened if I didn't ask for an autograph.

Of all the "famous" people I've ever met/worked with, "idols" included, I can safely say maybe 3% of them didn't disappoint me. I would never want to meet JW. Unless we'd be actually working together (chances = 0), I seriously doubt he'd give a rat's ass about my existence. I don't mean that in a mean way either. He creates, I appreciate, and that being the end-all of the relationship is fine by me.

Sorry you had a shitty experience, but sometimes famous folk are torn in fifty different directions before and after shows. Betting you caught him at the wrong time.

he probably thought you were a flipper. That's the only reason I can see to be honest with you.

There are sooo many factors that are in play at all times you never quite know what is what. Some folks here have had really great interactions with Jack where they've been able to get an autograph and others just haven't had the opportunity. I've seen Jack several times after shows for the Dead Weather and recently a solo show. I've never actually seen him sign an autograph. With the Dead Weather the other three members would sign, but Jack would always shake everyone's hand and thank them for coming to the show. I can't begrudge the man for not wanting to sign autographs after putting on a show. It's a job. Can you imagine working at a steel mill for 12 hours and then have 50 people want you to sign an autograph after your shift? (it's an overblown analogy, playing a show and working a steel mill are not in the same ballpark) You took the chance and it didn't work out, not everything does. Good on you for at least having the guts to ask and as you said, if you didn't ask you would have never known if he would have signed.

woodisgood wrote: I would never want to meet JW. Unless we'd be actually working together (chances = 0), I seriously doubt he'd give a rat's ass about my existence. I don't mean that in a mean way either. He creates, I appreciate, and that being the end-all of the relationship is fine by me.

This is exactly how I feel.


I suppose in this case it was also just possible that "they' (whoever) were concerned about what you might have had in your bag? Given that it was backstage at a show, it seems rather an extreme reaction to an autograph-request, but I think it's more likely that you did in fact just catch him at the wrong time.

Sorry about your experience, really that sucks. Don't take it personal though, you probably caught him at a bad time. I have met Jack several times and the only autograph I have from him is the one he gave me(signed DBTD at the release and he signed a bunch that day for Vault members). I have met him at the Golden Ticket event and at TMR a half a dozen times or more and I have never had the nerve to ask for an autograph, mainly out of fear of rejection or pissing him off. I am a huge Jack White fan and I appreciate all of his work and I don't want anything to tarnish that. I will say this, everytime I have met him he has been super nice and I was witness to a lady asking him for his autograph at TMR and he signed 3 White Stripes albums for her without question....and I still could'nt work up the nerve to ask So yeah, I'd say you caught him at a bad time or it had nothing to do with you asking.

Weird, when I met him I got an autograph, a picture and a DT 3".. No issue at all

I'm sorry you had a negative experience. Jack has always been in swell spirits the few times I've seen him but I'm guessing when he's not in the mood he simply doesn't make himself available. That's impossible though if you are having an off night and have to muddle through a field of fans to get to your dressing room. I understand how you feel, I do. But Jack's reaction likely had a lot more to do with how he felt so don't sweat it.

higherlimits wrote:Weird, when I met him I got an autograph, a picture and a DT 3".. No issue at all

Haha! Cheeky, very cheeky!

I think there is a time and place to ask for autographs, and backstage after a show isn't one of them.

higherlimits wrote:Weird, when I met him I got an autograph, a picture and a DT 3".. No issue at all

well aren't you mary fucking poppins.