He's the greatest!

02.12.06

My monogamous devotion to the Bee Gees has meant fewer diary entries for former lover, Lou Christie, but the feelings came rushing back after Lou’s heart-melting performance at the Brooklyn Performing Arts Center last night. Layla and I, and 200 senior citizens watched and cheered the falsetto dynamo as he wailed his way through “The Gypsy Cried,” “I’m Gonna Make You Mine,” a cover of “Never My Love” and finally, “Lightning Strikes.” In a glittering turquoise top (just barely obscuring his big belly!) and black flare slacks, Lou looked fabulously Las Vegas. And he gently demanded that he be treated as such—running to each side of the stage to take a bow in hopes of receiving a roaring round of applause. Old ladies were bopping in their seats, and after every song the crowd responded with a standing ovation. Layla and I rushed the stage during the last song, hoping to shake his grand hand (we did! we did!).

We had traveled nearly 20 subway stops to see Lou, and there was no way in hell I was leaving without meeting the man himself. I was expecting quite a bit of work and negotiation ahead, but when we politely asked if we could go backstage to take a picture with Lou, the stage guy was like, “Sure, go right ahead.” That was easy!

So Layla and I waited at the bottom of the stairs, and when he came down, we’re like, “Lou, can we please take a picture with you, cos we think you’re the greatest.” He smiled, looked back at us, and said, “Say it again!” And in unison, Layla and I screamed, “Lou, you’re the greatest!” Like totally smitten teenyboppers. And one of the backup singers (in the greatest New Yawk accent) added, “Look Lou, they’re young and pretty too.” To which he responded, “Yeah, maybe there’s hope for me after all.” It was brief, funny, and awesome. And here’s the backstage photo. So happy! Off Layla and I went into the Brooklyn snowstorm, totally giddy and starstruck.

Posted by Sheila at 10:07 PM