Posts Tagged ‘autographs’
On Meeting Alice Cooper, Dallas, TX, May 17, 2014
Unbelievable. I got to meet Alice Cooper today in Dallas at the ComicCon. Completely surreal.
About a week or so ago, Jason K. hits me up about going to Dallas with him to meet Alice Cooper and of course I accepted. What a wonderful signature to get in The Book! We made the 3 hour trek to Dallas around noon, got parked, got our tix and made our way through the convention center. There were thousands of people in lines to see the casts of The Walking Dead and Firefly. Insane! We get to Cooper’s booth and there was virtually no one in line. Lines for movie and TV personalities were long, but not many there for Alice. That proved beneficial for Jason and me.
I paid my fee to get 2 items signed and walk right up to the table where Alice is sitting. I open the book and put the CD cover for From the Inside in front of him and he signs them both. He didn’t sign on his photo unfortunately, but no biggie.
Backstory…a guy I work with found Cooper’s golf club ID on a course in Florida in the late 80s and turned it in to the club. I asked Alice if he remembered any of that and he said, “I vaguely remember that ID thing and definitely remember that club. Thank your friend for being a good citizen.” We both laughed.
No one was behind me in line so I stayed there and talked to him for a few minutes. He wasn’t trying to move me along at all. I tell him about the death of my brother 2 years ago and how much he loved Alice and got me into him at an early age, and especially our love for From the Inside. The conversation got personal and in depth in discussing my brother and Alice says, “Sounds like you had an awesome older brother who influenced who you are.” Alice got it. He’s been there. It was a personal moment and one that I’ll never forget. I shook his hand and thanked him for talking and for his musical influence on me. He’s got such an infectious smile, still very childlike. It was a pleasure and totally worth the trip.
Alice!
The hands of Alice Cooper signing my book and CD cover
Deep discussions.
My favorite album by Alice
Meeting Queensryche 1989
So there we were, some former friends from high school I heading to Tracks at Ward’s Corner in Norfolk, VA to do the free meet and greet with Queensryche. It was a nice warm afternoon in March. Kirshon brought something to get signed but I don’t remember what exactly. One of my friends brought his copy of their first EP and I had nothing. I couldn’t find my Warning cassette so when we were getting out of Kirshon’s truck, I just grabbed a piece of notebook paper.
It was a remarkably small crowd if memory serves me correctly and the line moved quickly. I snapped a few photos and had them sign my sheet of paper, of which each one of them joked on. When they got to my friend’s EP, Tate said, “Where have you been keeping this, in your back pocket?” He laughed and replied with, “Pretty much.” They were all really nice guys and some of the nicest I’ve met in situations like this. They were having fun with the people there and were constantly talking trash to each other.
Queensryche was touring with Metallica on their …And Justice For All/Operation Mindcrime tours, respectively. By this time I was already done with Metallica. I thought AJFA was a shitty album (still do!) and didn’t even really care for Mindcrime (still don’t!), but I figured I’d get to hear enough stuff from the previous 2 albums and the EP to satisfy me. They did several from Mindcrime but it was fine. They kicked ass and made Metallica look like amateurs. Even Metallica’s older songs sounded like they came from AJFA. Blech!
My girlfriend’s little brother Ryan came with us to the show and I think he may have been 14 at the time. He loved Queensryche so we took him. We were all 4 on the barricade for Queensryche but during Metallica we moved back towards the sound board area and a big mosh pit broke out in front of us. Ryan got sucked in and I could see the look of fear in his eyes so I ran into the pit and extracted him as quickly as I could. To this day he still says, “thanks for saving my life that night!” hahaha
Enjoy the photos.
DeGarmo and Rockenfield (click to enlarge)
Queensryche (click to enlarge)
Queensryche autographs...on notebook paper! (click to enlarge)
Headbangers – The Worldwide MegaBook of Heavy Metal Bands
Back in 1995/1996 I was still married to my now ex-wife. She was a voracious reader and during our brief marriage it inspired me to do some reading. Most of the time it was band/musician biographies. Sometimes it was just catching up on John Saul books (all of which suck anymore). One day I went to the library and was just thumbing through the reference books and came across “Headbangers – The Worldwide MegaBook of Heavy Metal Bands” by Mark Hale. I cracked it open and just started freaking out. This book had just about everyone in it that was a metal band. It spans from the late 60s to about 1990 and does a wonderful job of cross-referencing bands, listing albums and catalog numbers. There’s an index in the back of musicians, band names, countries of origin and record labels with catalog 
numbers. It’s a pretty extensive hardcover book.
Hale gives descriptions of the bands and does his best not to inject bias. It’s 540+ pages of heavy metal goodness.
My ex and I split up in late 1996 and by early 1997 I had started my own CD sales business. I was mostly doing it by word of mouth between friends, eBay and had started an online music store, Acacia Music (defunct). I checked the book out from the library several times and finally called the publisher to see if they still had any copies. Luckily they did. Having a business license and tax ID number, they sold me a copy for $75. One of the best investments that I have ever made.
The book has 2 editions. The first edition had a run of 750 copies and the second run had 250 copies. That’s it!
Somewhere along the line I decided to get it signed by bands that were in it. If I remember correctly the first signatures were by Warrell Dane/Jim Shepherd (Sanctuary) and Jon Schaffer (Purgatory 60 aka Iced Earth) when Nevermore and Iced Earth were touring together in 1999.
Over the years I’ve met a lot of bands who are in it and some of the encounters were pretty random. On my Facebook page, I’ve written about how I obtained each of the sigs. Many of them had some good stories attached to them. Typically I get the same reaction, “What the hell is this and where the hell did you get it?”
If you’re a fan of metal, especially the pre-1990 stuff, this book is a must have. They typically don’t come cheaply but you can generally find some on Amazon.com. Most of the copies I’ve found are ex-library copies.
Here’s the current list of signatures (updated 7/30/2025):
| AC/DC | – | Simon Wright |
| Accept | – | Udo, Peter Baltes, Wolf Hoffman, Herman Frank |
| Ace Frehley | – | Anton Fig |
| Aerosmith | – | Joey Kramer, Brad Whitford |
| Aftermath | – | Charlie Tsisolis, Steve Sacco, John Lovette, Ray Schmidt, Eric ? (not in the book) |
| Agony Column | – | Stuart Laurence, Richie Turner |
| Alcatrazz | – | Graham Bonnet, Gary Shea, Jimmy Waldo |
| Alice Cooper | – | Alice Cooper |
| Amulance | – | Rick Baez, Bob Luman, Chuck Hamilton (not in the book) |
| Anthrax | – | Dan Spitz, Scott Ian, Joey Belladonna, Charlie Benante, Frank Bello |
| Armored Saint | – | Joey Vera, John Bush, Phil Sondoval, Gonzo Sandoval |
| Assalant | – | Mike Botello |
| At War | – | Paul Arnold, Shawn Helsel |
| Attacker | – | Mike Sabatini, Pat Marinello |
| Autograph | – | Steve Lynch, Randy Rand |
| Banshee | – | Terry Dunn |
| Baron Steele | – | Joe Szabo, Al Ortiz |
| Battlezone | – | Paul Di’Anno |
| Bitch | – | Betsy |
| Black N Blue | – | Pete Holmes, Jaime St James, Patrick Young |
| Black Roses | – | Chuck Wright |
| Black Sabbath | – | Glenn Hughes |
| Bloodcum | – | John Araya |
| Bloodlust | – | Sandy K |
| Britny Fox | – | Johnny Dee |
| Bullet | – | Fitty |
| Bullet Boys | – | Marq Torien, Jimmy D’Anda, Mick Sweda |
| Celtic Frost | – | Tom G Warrior |
| Chastain | – | Leather Leone, David T. Chastain, Mike Skimmerhorn, Ken Mary, David Harbour |
| Cheap Trick | – | Tom Petersson, Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen |
| Cinderella | – | Tom Keifer |
| Cirith Ungol | – | Tim Baker, Robert Garven, Mike Flint, Greg Lindstrom, Jim Barraza (not in the book but verified inclusion based on other resources) |
| CJSS | – | Les Sharpe, Russell Jenkins |
| Damien Thorne | – | Ken Starr, Rick Browz (not in book but played on original demos) |
| Dangerous Toys | – | Scott Dalhover, Meark Geary, Mike Watson |
| Dark Angel | – | Gene Hoglan |
| Death Tripper | – | Jerry Blanco |
| Deceased | – | King Fowley |
| Deliverance | – | Glenn Rogers |
| Destruction | – | Schmier, Mike |
| Détente | – | Steve Hochheiser |
| Devastation | – | Rodney Dunsmore, Alex Dominguez, Louie Carrisalez |
| Diamond Head | – | Brian Tatler |
| Diamond Rexx | – | S.St. Lust, Andre |
| The Dictators | – | Handsome Dick Manitoba |
| DIO | – | Rowan Robertson, Craig Goldy, Vinny Appice |
| Dirty Looks | – | Paul Lidel |
| Dokken | – | Jeff Pilson, George Lynch |
| DRI | – | Felix Griffin, Josh Pappe (RIP) |
| English Dogs | – | Graham Butt (one of the funniest inscriptions ever…you had to be there)(signed while playing with Sabbat) |
| Enuff Z’Nuff | – | Chip Znuff, 3 non-original members; none of them in the book; signed in the back |
| Escape (Stratus) | – | Bernie Shaw |
| Exciter | – | Dan Beehler, Allan Johnson |
| Exodus | – | Gary Holt, Tom Hunting |
| Faster Pussycat | – | Taime Down, Brent Muscat, 2 non-original members |
| Fates Warning | – | Frank Aresti, John Arch, Jim Matheos, Victor Arduini, Steve Zimmerman, Joe DiBiase |
| Ferrari | – | Oni Logan |
| Flotsam and Jetsam | – | Eric AK, Kelly David Smith, Ed Carlson, Michael Gilbert |
| Forbidden | – | Tim Calvert, Paul Bostaph |
| Forte’ | – | Rev Jones (band not in the book) |
| Gammacide | – | Scott Shelby |
| Girlschool | – | Kim McAuliffe |
| Glacier | – | Mike Podrybau |
| Great White | – | Jack Russell |
| Grim Reaper | – | Steve Grimmett |
| Joe Hasselvander | – | Joe Hasselvander |
| Hawkwind | – | Nik Turner |
| Hellion | – | Ann Boleyn |
| Helstar | – | James Rivera, Larry Barragan |
| Hirax | – | Katon W. DePena |
| Hurricane | – | Kelley Hansen |
| Impaler | – | Bill Lindsey, Commander Court |
| Iron Maiden | – | Nicko McBrain |
| Jag Panzer | – | Chris Cronk (also listed with Fates Warning), Harry Conklin, Joey Tafolla, Rikard Stjernquist, Mark Briody, John Tetley |
| Jaguar | – | Garry Peppard |
| Jet Red | – | Brad Rang |
| Juggernaut | – | Harlan Glenn, Eddie Katilus, Scott Womack |
| Keel | – | Scott Warren |
| Killer Dwarfs | – | Russ Dwarf, Bryce Dwarf |
| King Diamond | – | Mikkey Dee, Pete Blakk |
| Kingdom Come | – | James Kottak |
| Kreator | – | Ventor |
| Krokus | – | Marc Storace, Chris Von Rohr, Mandy Meier |
| LA Guns | – | Philip Lewis, Tracii Guns, Steve Riley |
| Lethal | – | Tom Mallicoat, Glen Cook, Dell Hull, Jerry Hartman (not in book but played on Programmed) |
| Liege Lord | – | Joe Comeau, Tony Truglio, Matt Vinci |
| Lillian Axe | – | Steve Blaze |
| Lion | – | Doug Aldrich |
| Lizzy Borden | – | Alex Nelson (RIP), Lizzy Borden, Joey Scott Harges |
| Loudness | – | Minoru Niihara, Akira Takasaki, Masayoshi Yamashita, Masayuki Suzuki (not in the book) |
| Lydia Von Huston | – | Jennifer Batten |
| Manowar | – | Ross the Boss |
| Manilla Road | – | Mark Shelton |
| Medieval Steel | – | John Roth, Bobby Franklin, Jeff Boydston |
| Megadeth | – | Dave Mustaine, David Ellefson |
| Metal Blade Records | – | Brian Slagel |
| Metal Church | – | Craig Wels |
| Mindless Sinner | – | Christer Göransson, Magnus Danneblad, Jerker Edman, Christer Carlson, Tommy Viktorsson (Formerly Johansson) |
| Militia | – | Mike Soliz, Rob Willingham, Phil Achee, Tony Smith, Jesse Villegas, Phil Patterson |
| Vinnie Moore | – | Vinnie Moore |
| Motorhead | – | Lemmy Kilmister (RIP) |
| MSG | – | Michael Schenker |
| Mythra | – | Vince High, John Roach, Alex Perry |
| Mystic Force | – | Keith Menser |
| Necrophagia | – | Killjoy (RIP) |
| Nuclear Assault | – | Dan Lilker, John Connelly, Glenn Evans |
| Obituary | – | James Murphy |
| The Obsessed | – | Wino |
| Odin | – | Shawn, Jeff and Matt Duncan, Randy O., Aaron Samson |
| Omen | – | Kenny Powell, Steve Wittig |
| Ostrogoth | – | Mario “Grizzly” Pauvels |
| Overkill | – | Bobby Ellsworth, D.D. Verni |
| Ozzy | – | Tommy Aldridge |
| Pentagram | – | Bobby Liebling, Victor Griffin |
| Picture | – | Laurens Bakker, Rinus Vreugdenhil |
| Plasmatics | – | TC Tolliver |
| Pretty Boy Floyd | – | Steve Summers, 2 non-original members |
| Purgatory 60 (Iced Earth) | – | John Schafer |
| Q5 | – | Evan Sheeley, Rick Pierce, Jonathan Kay |
| Queensyche | – | Geoff Tate |
| Quiet Riot | – | Rudy Sarzo, Sean McNabb, Frankie Banali (RIP) |
| Racer X | – | Juan Alderete (as “Jeff” in the book) |
| Rage | – | Peavey Wagner, Manni Schmidt, Chris Efthimiadis |
| Rainbow | – | Joe Lynn Turner |
| Randy California | – | Mark Andes (while playing with Firefall) |
| Rapid Tears | – | Brian Frank |
| Ratt | – | Stephen Pearcy |
| Raven | – | John Gallagher, Mark Gallagher |
| Rigor Mortis | – | Bruce Corbtt (RIP), Casey Orr, Harden Harrison |
| Riot | – | Don Van Stavern, Bobby Jarzombek, Rick Ventura |
| Rising Force | – | Yngwie Malmsteen, Anders Johansson, Jeff Scott Soto |
| Rods | – | Carl Canedy, David Feinstein, Gary Bordonaro |
| Ulrich Roth | – | Uli Jon Roth |
| Rotting Corpse | – | John Perez, Mando Tovar, Steve Murphy |
| Rough Cutt | – | Matt Thorne, Chris Hager |
| Running Wild | – | Stefan Schwartzmann |
| Ruthless | – | Sami DeJohn |
| S.A. Slayer | – | Bob Catlin, Art Villareal |
| Sabbat | – | Martin Walkyier, Andy Sneap, Simon Negus, Simon Jones |
| Sacred Rite | – | Peter Crane, Jimmy Caterine, Mark Kaleiwahea |
| Sadus | – | Steve DiGiorgio |
| Saint Vitus | – | Mark Adams, David Chandler, Scott Reagers |
| Salty Dog | – | Michael Hannon |
| Sanctuary | – | Warrel Dane (RIP), Jim Sheppard |
| Satan | – | Brian Ross, Russ Tippins, Graeme English, Steve Ramsey, Sean Taylor |
| Satan’s Host | – | Patrick Evil (not in book but confirmed original) |
| Saxon | – | Biff Byford, Nibbs Carter, Nigel Glockler |
| Scorpions | – | Francis Buchholz, Herman Rarebell |
| Screamer | – | Jim Dofka |
| Sentinel Beast | – | Michael Spencer |
| Sepultura | – | Paolo, Jr, Andreas Kisser |
| Skid Row | – | Sebastian Bach |
| Slauter Xstroyes | – | Paul Krathy |
| Slayer | – | Dave Lombardo |
| SOD | – | Billy Milano |
| Steel Prophet | – | Steve Kachinsky |
| Stryper | – | Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet, Oz Fox, Tim Gaines |
| Syrus | – | Al Berlanga, Michael Vasquez, John Castilleja, Julio Paz |
| Takashi | – | Danny Stanton |
| Ted Nugent | – | Derek St. Holmes |
| Tesla | – | Troy Lucketta, Tommy Skeoch, Brian Wheat, Frank Hannon, Jeff Keith |
| Testament | – | Chuck Billy, Alex Skolnick, Greg Christian, Eric Peterson |
| The Rods | – | Carl Canedy, David Feinstein, Garry Bordonaro |
| Thin Lizzy | – | John Sykes, Scott Gorham |
| Thrust | – | Ron Cooke |
| Triumph | – | Rik Emmett |
| Trouble | – | Ron Holtzman, Eric Wagner, Jeff “Oly” Olson |
| T.T. Quick | – | Mark Tornillo |
| Turbin | – | Doug Morrison, Neil Turbin |
| Twisted Sister | – | AJ Pero (RIP) |
| Tygers of Pan Tang | – | Robb Weir |
| Tyrant | – | Greg May |
| Tyrant’s Reign | – | Phil Fouch, Ken Miller |
| Uriah Heep | – | Mick Box |
| UFO | – | Paul Chapman (RIP), Phil Mogg, Paul Raymond (RIP), Andy Parker |
| Vatican | – | Vince Vatican, Vic Grabouski, Brian McNasty |
| Venom | – | Mantas, Abaddon, Demolition Man |
| Vendetta (Chicago) | – | Klyph Black |
| Vinnie Moore | – | Vinnie Moore |
| Voi Vod | – | Away, Snake, Blacky |
| War Cry | – | Rich Rozek, Phil Fouch, Karl Miller (neither in the book) |
| Warlock (Ger) | – | Doro Pesch |
| Warlock (TX) | – | Rick Perry |
| Watchtower | – | Jason McMaster, Ron Jarzombek, Billy White, Rick Colaluca, Doug Keyser |
| Wendy O. Williams | – | Greg Smith |
| Whitesnake | – | David Coverdale |
| White Lion | – | Greg D’Angelo |
| Wicked Angel | – | Joseph Valdez (book only lists the singer, validated here) |
| Winger | – | Kip Winger, Reb Beach, Rod Morgenstein |
| Wishbone Ash | – | Andy Powell |
| Wolfsbane | – | Blaze Bayley |
| Wyzard | – | John Alvarado, Buster Grant (as Gilbert Grant Guzman in the book) |
| Y&T | – | Dave Meniketti |
The Metal Files 
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