I know that nobody owes us any time beyond the stage... but shame on Bob for not signing a simple autograph last night for a couple that had waited a long time in the cold after the show. They were the only ones there, and then security manhandled the woman of the couple. This is his hometown and I would think he would appreciate the support after all these years.

Was Bob within view? Rumour has it, he usually leaves immediately after the concert and doesn't hang around. Perhaps he wasn't even there.

Were the people waiting in a secured area where they shouldn't have been?

If they were being completely peaceful, in a public, unsecured area, and were not putting up a fuss, I find it hard to believe security would "manhandle" them.

Sorry, new to this board, wasn't sure how to reply. They were very peaceful, the only people there, Bob walked past them twice, was within 5 feet of them. I don't think they were in a secured area........they would have known better. Security did not ask them to leave.... by the time Bob walked past them a second time, that is when security grabbed the woman. Really grabbed her. NOT GOOD.

WOW!

I just asked the questions for clarification. Many try to get beyond secured areas, in which case their presence is "illegal" to begin with.

Did they say anything akin to "Excuse us, Mr. Seger..."? Maybe if they didn't actually say anything, Bob wouldn't know what they were waiting for?????

I just don't see Bob walking past TWICE, knowing they just wanted an autograph, and not stopping. Especially if there wasn't a mob there all clamoring for attention.

Security at the VERY least should have tried the polite approach and asked them to leave if it was a secured area.

Manhandling is UNCALLED FOR in any situation where folks are within legal bounds, peaceful, and not causing a problem.

Yeah, I'm not so sure Bob would be at all to blame in this. It's sad the world is this way, but I recall even way back in the '60s you couldn't get near many of the star performers.
You were actually lucky to even see Bob.
Those security guys are pretty tough, and they're nervous. They have a big task to protect the performers, and they don't let anything, no matter how small, get started.
I suspect Bob is under strict instructions to not stop for anyone or anything. If he were to stop to sign one little autograph, someone, somewhere would see this happening. The screaming would begin and the crowd would rush him within seconds.
I have been to classical concerts where there is a much smaller audience, people aren't worked up in half a frenzy and they haven't been drinking. Here, the performers often stage a meet and greet in the lobby. But even here, security can be an issue. One classical performer who's music I very much appreciate was accosted last year by an individual who thought he was in love with her. Security was there, and hauled him off, turning him over to the cops.
Please don't hold anything against Bob for this.
Even though I really like meeting people, being around people, and making new friends, I can see that if I were in his situation, I'd have the same sort of security.
I doubt he likes that situation, but he also has to realize it's the only way to stay safe.
I wish it weren't that way, but it is.
Mark D.... Really.

I have been to so many show's...meet and greets the band's were great...I remember the FIRM back in the 80's we took pics and talked...had food and drinks. I have been to the load out area of many places after shows some time's they stop and say hello sometimes they don't maybe he was not sure they wanted him to stop and say hello...did they ask him to stop and talk or sign...he may have just been thinking they were with someone...not wanting anything...most all will sign if there is not a lot of people...to bad about the security but they have a job to do and it's to look out for Bob.

My thoughts exactly... maybe Bob didn't know their purpose for being there, if they didn't speak up with an "Excuse me..."

I would blame Security more than Bob. However, in these insecure times, even they should be given a little slack.

They did try to get his attention, he simply ignored them. Then security got ahold of my daughter and well, as I told you manhandled her. Well unfortunatly I think he has lost 2 big fans. There wasn't another soul in sight so no chance of screeming crowds....They are very disappointed. We are all big concert goers and security does get a little out of control. I know these are tough times, but it is getting ridiculous. I have seen stars get into it with security many times, putting them in their place when they got crazy... I just wish he had stopped, signed the autograph and taken care of security. Even he has to know that manhandling a young women is uncalled for.

cry me a river..... "bulid a bridge and get over it"...move on.

cowpote

IN THIS WORLD LIFE ISNT ALWAYS WHAT IT SEEMS I TRIED TO MEET HIM NOW FOR THIRTY PLUS YEARS !!!

I think the disappointment is ill-founded with the information here.

For a guy who has people clammoring incessantly, maybe one more "fan" is just too much when all he wants to do is go home.

I would put "blame" (if there is any) on "security".

However, I would also put Bob in a place of "just wanting to go home" and "fans" prevent/obstruct that. He rocked our hearts out... can we "expect" more, even when he's on his way HOME? No, I think not.

WE don't like to be detained when we've "clocked out". Why shouldn't Bob be equally adverse? He's given what we paid for... we deserve nothing more.

If I want to go home from work and folks (good intentions or not) want to prevent that, I wouldn't pay much attention, either.

JMHO.

Gotta go with Samper on this. I am getting two things here: First, yup, Seger probably just wanted to get out of there. Who can blame him. Second, Security should NEVER manhandle someone in this situation but then again we dont have all the details. Regardless, sounds like a bad deal.

If Seger DID blow them off, we have to keep in mind that the man is human and is prone to display all the range of emotions and actions that humans with a great deal of power are capable of displaying.

Personally, I DO believe Seger has a pretty big ego. After all, he IS a rock star folks!!!AND a perfectionist.

I'm not buying for a minute that this tour has been about "letting his kids see him onstage". TOTAL B.S.

He did the tour for the money, to push the new record, and because he wanted to rock again AND it would be cool for his kids to see him.

I feel his ego shines through here by kind of dissing the fans that have wanted a tour for a decade or so
by kind of implying that our love for his music and desire to see him onstage was NOT the main reason for him to get back out there. EGO. Maybe he doesnt want to admit that he needs us as much as we need him, LOL.

I am sure he has a big ego and so be it. I would never think less of him for it. He rocks. Great performer. Great songwriter. And the folks who HAVE met him say that hes awesome in person, lol.

I'm curious as to where you develop the "big ego" theory from? From interviews? From behavior on stage? From personal experience with him one on one?

Being a rock star doesn't automatically create a big ego. Nor does being a perfectionist. In fact, "perfectionism" involves, by definition, strict criticism of one's self and work and constant desire to do "better".

As for doing the tour for alterior motives... money, promote FTP, etc.: I think money has nothing to do with it. Bob hurts for NOTHING and DEMANDED that ticket prices remain affordable. Nothing like the $100+ other "old guys" (Billy Joel, Rod Stewart, etc.) are demanding. He remains very sensitive to the fact that not all can afford the insane ticket prices these days. And he's the ONLY one who kept the pricing low enough for most to afford at least for one show.

But why NOT promote a new piece of work? Why NOT go out and rock one more time? We all wanted to rock one more time, didn't we? What you might be missing, however, is that the last time he toured, the kids were only 1 and 3 or 4, I think. Far too young to really grasp what Dad does at "work".

Knowing you are Bob's kid and having never seen him perform in front of an audience? It's ridiculous to think of that scenario as reality! He has said over and over again that the kids are of an age now where they really wanted to see Dad in action. Remember, too, that doing this is a huge burden and sacrifice for the families of the entire band, crew, staff, etc. He wouldn't have done this without their wanting it as badly as he might have.

The way Bob talks about being involved with the kids' day to day lives, etc., I can't believe for a second that he would consider touring without their 110% support and desire to see it happen. I'm going to go with the words straight from Bob's mouth: The kids really wanted to see Dad in action on a grand scale (not just playing guitar in the basement for their own circle of friends).

It's a legacy and wonderful set of memories for us who don't even know him... imagine how great it would be for the kids!

I really hope you rethink your evaluation on his ego. As far as most are concerned by what is published, he's just a down to earth guy who has to take the trash out tomorrow, like everyone else in his neighborhood. He just has a different job that most don't even have an opportunity (talent, desire, etc.) to pursue.

Finally, I would have to agree with Mark D. In these very insecure times, security is a major issue. Bob probably has absolutely no say in what he can and can not "do" at venues as far as mingling with attendees, etc. For instance, if he hires security and goes against the contract by hanging around the back entrance and chatting it up with people and something happens, security would then not be responsible for anything that happens. In that case, why have security at all?

JMHO

I agree with everything samper says above. But would like to add.... he charged 65.00 or so bucks to come see him play. He gave well over your money's worth.... nowhere on the ticket stub did it say you, or anyone else was due an autograph.

The town I live in has many, many celebrities, mostly sports. I have never once asked a one of them for their autograph (though I would love to have it). I see Dan Marino on a weekly basis, in fact last week my wife and I went for pizza. I got up to go to the rest room and saw him with his family. Not one person bothered him.

Al Leighter is a friend of my bosses and I see him around town all the time, and never asked for his. But I saw him at a company event where he was expected to be giving them, so I asked him to sign my baseball cap. Afterwards at the airport flying back home I was sitting with a co-worker / friend, my boss and Al (on the same flight) came and sat with us while we waited for our flight. The flight desk paged Al to the desk which gave away that he was there and when he sat back down with us people started approaching him for his autograph. (It was funny because they would look at us too to see if we were celebrities to get ours).

But the whole thing is, no one owed them their signiture. It was nice when they do, but if they don't so what... they have their reasons.

I have met Bob Seger (had dinner with him, actually) and I can tell you first hand that there is absolutely NO ego there. I don't think you'll ever meet a nicer person.

The whole band and crew are all nice people, very down-to-earth. I can't speak for the security guards though. I'm sure they were just doing their jobs.

-Brian

NEED MORE INFO.........
When were you lucky enough to have dinner with BOB!
WOW!
He has always seemed like a very real and down to earth, regular nice guy.
That's the attraction, well from a female point of view. As a human just a genuine person.
Ya can't write songs like that and be a jerk!
Fill me in doraville...........
Pewter.

We have neighbors who are friends of his. They invited us to go with them and hang out with Bob and the band prior to the concert. Between the sound check and the concert, we had dinner with Bob and Craig Frost in a catered dining room that had been set-up backstage.

Anyway, I'd just like to reiterate what nice people they all are. You really wouldn't know that any of them are stars by the way they carry themselves.

We're really looking forward to that DVD!

-Brian

I'll go with the above.

I was invited by Punch to the backstage party at PK in '96 and they were all REALLY just regular guys. Nice, polite, and acted like my girlfriend and I BELONGED there as much as anyone else and that we weren't "intruders".

Not ONE of them was "too busy" or "too important" to come to our table (we were sitting with Alto's dad for a really long time), introduce themselves, welcome us to the event and chat for a few minutes. They did so with everyone there. They weren't in a hurry to just shake our hands and move on, but there were alot of people to Meet and Greet, so they didn't spend HOURS with us... Maybe 10-15 minutes or so and then they would move on to another group of people.

Each of them signed our backstage badges, but it didn't occur to us to ask... one of the guys actually said something like "You want me to sign that so you can prove to friends how much fun you had?" (It was one of those "naughty" little comments, but made in complete fun). The others just kind of followed in a natural way without us really asking ("Oh, I see Mark signed your badge... how about if I sign it, too?").

I have NEVER sought out autographs, hung out at the back door, or did anything to promote my getting more than what my ticket price paid for... a performance. Nothing more, nothing less is offered or expected. I CAN say, that there were SEVERAL times (Stones and Aerosmith stick out as glaring examples) when I felt I did not get a quality performance for my ticket price, but that's the chance you take. It most certainly has not happened in the times I've seen Bob and the Band.

I think it might be different for Bob and SBB, too, because they have shed any kind of "rock star persona" they MIGHT have once possessed. Been there, done that in their youth and now they are just nice gentlemen of "age" that have nothing to prove to anyone and don't need to put on airs.

Brian
You are very lucky.Can't imagine what having dinner with him would be like.......lol.......OMG!! I have been such a huge fan of his since I was 16! Got to finally see him at Cobo after 29 yrs. of wishing! This was the 4th show I went to on this tour. It was such a great show, I think the best that I saw. You could feel the electricity in the crowd just before he came on. Now he can go and relax with his family.

I hope they don't take for ever putting the DVD together. I can't wait!

Thanks for letting me live through your experience.

Pewter.

Dear Brian,

I would be honored to meet your friends amd your friends friends.

I've enjoyed MANY videos (camera phone type) of Bob on this tour.

He CONSISTENTLY draws attention to various members of the band, and NOT just Alto... He points to and draws attention to each and every one of the guys during their own particular "expertise".

Bob is quick to acknowledge his band, crew, roadies, management, back up, etc. He consistently expresses how he is blessed to have this organization.

I don't get the "ego" thing at ALL!

He's been doing that for more than "TEN YEARS NOW"!

Freep review from 1975:
"He is perhaps the nicest -- and that's the right word -- rock star around, maybe because he's still trying for that Top 10 national hit (and keeping his fingers crossed for "Katmandu").

In concert, he points to members of his Silver Bullet Band when they have solo segments, forcing the crowd's attention away from his undulating body and sweat-soaked face."

I see there was no mention of his diesel powered locomotive hips back in 1972 5

LOL, Shelly!

See???????? He hasn't changed a bit from 30 years ago!

Bob IS the nicest guy in R&R and all we have to do to verify that is see how gracious he is by directing attention to the guys and gals that help to make the Bob expeience the BOB EXPERIENCE. Like I said, he directs attention AWAY from himself to highlight the others.

He knows that his band and the girls make him what he is as an ensemble to perform and he is NOT SHY in admitting and acknowledging that.

Bob is a grateful, down to earth guy who gives credit where credit is due... I can't even tell you how many bosses I've had that would curl up and DIE to do the same.

Bob ROCKS in every sense of the word.

Now... if we could just get him to do something about the drink prices at the hotel, we'd be GOLDEN!!!

As point in fact of him having no ego; in an interview (I think on the DVD that comes with FTP) he says "I am the most unlikely rockstar that there ever could be".

Bob had just finished a 45 night tour with and average crowd of 20,000 which means he had performed for close to a million fans who all would love to have something signed by him. It is impossible to sign something for all fans so why should some get lucky and others not. We all paid at least $65.00 to see the show and many of us paid much more to be up close. Besides that, have you seen the prices people are asking for autographed merchandise these days? I am not saying that the person you are talking about would sell it but Seger stuff is really hot on ebay right now.

There is no ego with Bob Seger. In fact I don't think he understands just how much he and his music has meant to us.

A one day Seger fanfest would help to solve this problem. Invite only for those who are Street Teamers or members of Seger forums such as this. I would surely be there.

I have to chime in here about Seger and his ... ego. I have no basis for this other than my opinion, but Seger has ZERO ego. Watch him on stage - how appreciative he is of the crowd's reaction / applause. Sat. night at Cobo I sat right behind his son - Cole. While Bob was singing Tryin' to Live My Life Without you he came over to the box on Alto's side of the stage. While he was singing he spotted Cole. His whole face lit up and he gave Cole a "thumbs up." Sorry, no ego involved here!

I am SOOOO glad the kids got to be there on Saturday! I'm sure they went on other nights, but Saturday was special. Now they really know how much Dad is loved and how hard Dad can rock it out!

And how Dear Old Dad can do those deep knee bends !