When You See a Chance, Take It

It was either leave and the moment would be gone, or say something.

As a teenager, I was a big Duran Duran fan.

A few months ago, after an interview, I walked crosstown in Manhattan in the 50s. As I was crossing Broadway, I saw a tall, slender guy with spiky blond hair and bright green pants carrying a large Build-A-Bear bag, with a smaller Henri Bendel bag inside. He looked slightly confused. It was Simon Le Bon!

He was walking with a petite woman, perhaps an assistant or family friend. I wanted to say something, but feared looking like an old fool (well, older—I'm 38). I watched him cross the street and enter a camera/electronics store. I followed and peered inside the window to confirm my suspicions. It was either leave and the moment would be gone, or say something.

As he came out of the store, I said, "Hi, Simon!" and he said "'Allo!" and turned to me without missing a beat.

"I just want you to know I've been a fan of yours for a long time," I said. "It's great to see you in town, and I'm looking forward to the new album." As I said this, I was holding on for dear life to some meaningless piece of paper.

He touched my arm and said, "Oh, that's so nice of you to say, thank you so much." I wish I could have remembered to shake his hand! His assistant/friend looked on and smiled. And then we kind of nodded and went our separate ways. I was as giddy as a 14-year-old all over again. I'm glad I said something.