Celebs who sign even though management /security says no.

By Greg Drugan

Apr 14, 2018

Newly inducted Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Richie Sambora recently played a show in Cleveland to kick off Hall of Fame week. There were a lot of graphers waiting at the airport for Richie and Orianthi to arrive.

When he finally comes down the stairs, he is rushed but is happy to sign. He said that we needed to get in a line and he would get everyone. The man signed at least for 15 minutes and then started to move to the luggage area. He then signed quite a few more. A female handler said "Ok, that's it, he's done." He said "No I'm not." and continued to sign.

About 5 minutes passed and she said "Guys, he's had a long flight, he has somewhere else to go." He said, "I told you, I'm not done. You've already fu**ed this up and now you owe me dinner and drinks." as he continued to sign.

A few more minutes passed, she said "Alright, he's got to wrap this up." He stopped, looked at her and said "I already told you, I'm not done! Why don't you go and get my fu**ing luggage! I'm gonna take care of these people!!"

It was awesome! I bet the guy signed 200 autographs. I got six (which is unlike me) but others got 15-20.

I have never experienced anything like this before.

Do you have any stories of celebs signing even though management/handlers have told you no? Or better yet, told them no!

Let's hear 'em!

Greg Drugan

I started collecting sports autographs in-person in the ‘90s when the Indians were rolling.  I switched to primarily music autographs back in 2014 when I became a concert photographer/reviewer. Musicians are much easier to get! Living between the Rock Hall and the Football HOF provides me ample opportunities to meet celebs.

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Comments

Justin Steffman

6 years

The newly famous often struggle with this and end up being carted around with management telling them what they can and can't do, especially if they're in their 20s or younger. After a few years of experience in the business though, they usually start to figure out that they're the boss. It's not uncommon to see a grapher who has been graphing for 10+ years telling a new celebrity "You are your own person, you don't have to listen to them!" in an attempt to expedite that process. (Sometimes it works.)