Todd’s Treasures: My Rock-N-Roll Memorabilia – Part I

Last March 29, my family and I moved, literally, 4/10ths of a mile from our home in Moxee to a newly constructed home across the street. Fast-forward to today -- some 14 months later -- and we STILL aren't completely moved in! (Then again, are you ever fully "moved in"?!?!)
With the weather getting nicer and much more time on our hands thanks to 'Rona, we've been tackling some projects that we just haven't had the time to get to thus far. One of those projects is going through all of the cardboard boxes in our garage.

A couple of days ago, I stumbled across a treasure trove of old memorabilia, photos, ticket stubs and souvenirs I have collected over 30 years of attending concerts and radio station functions with famous bands and musicians. Instead of them collecting dust in a box, I thought I'd start sharing them with you!

The first item is a photo of me with Queensryche mastermind Geoff Tate at fan club members-only album release party in West Seattle in January of 1999. They played some cuts from their then-latest CD before jumping onstage and blowing the roof off of the place including a killer cover of U2's "Bullet the Blue Sky". After the show, all of the band member (in happier times) mingled with the crowd, posing for pictures and signing autographs.

There was a pretty big crowd around Geoff and, it seemed, every time he was about to get to me next, he'd pivot and turn his back to me. After awhile, I exclaimed, "What?!?! Am I wearing Geoff Tate repellent or something?!?!" A bunch of people heard and laughed and Tate turned to see what was so funny. Yup. It was me. We snapped this picture at that time and he couldn't have been sweeter about it.

In the photo, you can barely make it out, but I am wearing an Eric Clapton t-shirt I bought at his show in seattle at the Key Arena the year or so before. Damn, I wish I knew where that sucker was!
A few years later, I say Queensryche perform in Portland and got Geoff to autograph our photo together.

My next piece is a cloth sticker that was, apparently, #14 in the series of collector's patches put out by legendary Seattle Rock station 96 dot 5 KXRX, lead by their fantastic Program Director -- and KATS alum -- Brew Michaels whom I've become Facebook "friends" with over the last couple of years. the souvenir commemorated former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant's solo tour in support of his "Manic Nirvana" album. The show was at the Key Arena in the Seattle Center on September 19, 1990. As a huge Zep fan too young to have ever have seen them play live before the death of drummer John Bonham, I leapt at the chance to see Plant. In reality, however, I REALLY wanted to see my all-time favorite band The Black Crowes. They were just bursting onto the scene fueled by their raucous debut album "Present: $hake Your Money Maker".
They didn't disappoint and I've been hooked ever since!

Got anything unique you'd like to have me show off to everyone in this column? Send me a pic or video with a description via the free KATS mobile app and I'll be happy to share with all!
Rock on!