• How I Met Mike! •

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How I met Mike... My sister, Linda, and I were excited about going to Chicago Beatlefest - 1987. Scheduled to appear were Joey and Mike - with a newly reformed Badfinger! Well, when Joey walked onto the stage, he told the audience that Mike was ill and couldn't make it. (We later found out he'd actually quit the band just days before due to a conflict with their then agent - the infamous Bob Evans.) We met Joey briefly that day and had a nice natter with guitarist Randy Anderson following the performance.

Lin and I saw Badfinger a few times after that, (still no Mike) and were always greeted warmly by Joey and Randy. We also became friends with two fellow fans we met at those gigs - Paul Nyman and Kevin E.

	It was the Friday evening of Memorial Day weekend, 1989. Lin and I were on the phone, and her call waiting clicked. It was Randy! The band was playing in Wisconsin Sunday, and Randy was flying into O'Hare Saturday night. Could we pick him up? And well, yes, he did need a place to stay...
(l to r) Paul - Brenda - Randy - Linda

Sunday morning we all hit the road - myself, Randy, Linda, Paul, Kevin, and friends, Dave & Gina - we had to take two cars. When our convoy arrived at the venue, we saw a man setting up a drum kit, and a tremor of excitement went through our group. At long last - it was Mike!
	(standing) Brenda & Paul (seated) Keven E. - Randy - Dave & Gina

Backstage after the show, Mike spent a lot of time chatting with us - in no time, we were like old friends. Linda presented him with a tee-shirt she'd designed and hand-painted for him, inspired by her favorite Gibbins composition, "Moonshine." Mike loved the shirt and put in on immediately - and then presented Linda with the shirt he'd been wearing, a Badfinger shirt designed by Kathie Molland. (I can honestly say about Mike - "what a guy! He'll give you the shirt off his back!")

Mike & Linda with 'designer' tee-shirts

Another favorite memory of Mike from that night - When I mentioned that I was getting hungry and was going to find the concession stand, Mike told me to wait. They'd had fried chicken in the dressing room, and he'd go see if there was any left. A minute later, he returned with a basket and handed it to me - dinner.
	Brenda & Mike

Too soon it was time to say goodbye. We were all going back to the hotel with Joey to visit for a bit before the long drive home, (and taking Randy back to O'Hare) but Mike was heading back to Detroit. He gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek...

We saw Mike with Badfinger a couple more times after that, and found him to always be the same sweet guy. And after seeing him this past summer at Beatlefest 2001, I can honestly say he hasn't changed a bit! When I said "hello from Linda" to Mike this summer, I mentioned the shirt. Mike immediately said, "I love that shirt!" I hope you liked my story. It's fun for me to reminisce - lots of great memories! -Brenda ( 'blodwen' )

Mike & Brenda - Beatlefest 2001 ( Twins??? )