The night I met...

In the early to mid 1980's I ran a record store in a LA burb called Ladera Heights. It was pretty convenient because it was a block from our apartment and two blocks from St. Jerome's where Amalthea went to school. We lived across the street from the 99cent store and Mr. Goldfarbs' McDonalds franchise - but I digress a bit.

I was working the evening shift one night, and I get this call from someone who is wondering if we had any Kitaro CDs. Anybody remember him? If not, he's here (actually I'm pretty shocked to find him), this was when New Age music was "New Age". Anyway, I said I thought so, but I'd have to check and would he mind if I put him on hold for a minute.

"No problem", he said.

Just as I put him on hold I was slammed with a bunch of customers at the cash register, and I completely forgot about the person on the line.

15 minutes later, the phone rings again.

A voice on the line says, "You left me on hold forever!"

Of course, at that exact moment I realized that I'd left someone on hold. "I am so sorry, I'll go and check on the Kitaro CDs right now. Hold on, I promise I won't forget."

"Uh, huh."

I check our stock and we have plenty. Back on the line now, "Hello Sir, we have plenty of what you're looking for in stock."

"Great, I'll be there in 10 or 15 minutes".

"Okay Sir, I look forward to it. Bye."

"Bye."

After awhile....

I'm working behind the counter when I notice that everyone in the store is looking at the front door and whispering to each other. But before I register what they're all looking at, a voice from behind says, "I'm here for the Kitaro CDs".

I turn around and I'm now staring Stevie Wonder and his brother!

I'm thinking "Jesus, I put Stevie Wonder on hold and forgot about him!"

Anyway, he turned out to be a great guy, bought a bunch of CDs from me, and not only Kitaro; and he autographed a copy of Women in Red for La.

It was funny, I asked what he thought of Al Jarreau's newest album (please I'm old, I don't remember which one), he said "It's overproduced". From Stevie Wonder no less.

Next time: The time I met Jimmy Messina