As the lights went down, she eagerly waited for her chance to hand them to the singer. When Waite finally reached her, he took the bouquet from her hands. He then walked across the stage and threw them back into the crowd.
Forty years later, this regifting is what dominates my memory of the evening. I wonder how this lack of appreciation affected the fan's evening. Was she content with the glancing touch as Waite grabbed the flowers, or did watching him throw them back like a fish too small for the minimum weight diminish her fandom?
Waite had spent seven years chasing fame with The Babys. Having achieved new levels of success with his solo career, one would have thought that acknowledging a devoted fan would have come more naturally.
Wait for a More Inspirational Tale
White Lion may have been the opener on a three-band bill at the Beacon Theatre, but their star was quickly rising. Ace Frehley may have been a legend and Y&T the headliner, but their second album was getting traction off the single "Wait." They were returning to their hometown of New York City as conquering heroes.
Throughout the band's set, singer Mike Tramp acknowledged the fan holding flowers, but never actually took them from her. As the last song approached, he reached out toward her, but did not take them. Instead, he rubbed her arm, looked into her eyes, and sang the verse directly to her. He then took the bouquet from her.
While Waite had tossed his token of gratitude aside, Tramp was more delicate with his. He motioned for a roadie, who took the flowers from him and brought them backstage.
Despite the freshness of his fame, or perhaps because of it, Tramp showed through his actions how thankful he was for the gifts from a fan. It was a physical act that can never be recreated in the digital realm.
"You move me
You move me"
- Rush, "The Analog Kid"
As screens play an increasingly dominant part of our lives, these types of analog interactions are what will keep us human. Reciprocal acknowledgement of our shared presence, or a singer cutting through the crowd to focus on one fan's gesture, is a reminder that connections are built on the smallest exchanges. Sometimes, all it takes to bridge the gap between us is two words: thank you.
Carl Petersen is a former Green Party candidate for the LAUSD School Board and a longtime advocate for public education and special needs families. Now based in Washington State, he writes about politics, culture, and their intersections at TheDifrntDrmr.
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