Dear Michael,
I remember running into you in Vancouver in the winter of 1995. I was at a neighborhood pub with my girlfriends when you came in the back door with your band. We knew the owner and he had invited you guys there for a beer that night. I coudln't believe it was actually you, such a HUGE star, in our little pub. Anyway, when you walked in, you seemed to notice me from across the room. Some people have told me I look like Helena Christenson, so maybe that is what it is that made you look twice. Whatever it was, I could not believe you would even glance at a regular girl like me. I was no pop star or supermodel, just a regular girl out with my friends on a Friday night.
I felt like you were watching me from the back of the room, but I couldn't tell for sure because those big curls were falling over your eyes. I got up to go to the bathroom which was past where you were sitting at the bar. As I walked by, you spun around off your chair, stood up, looked me right in the eye and smiled. I couldn't believe it! I stood there frozen, not knowing what to say or do. I was so star-stuck and shy, I just stammered a little and then ran away! I think you thought I was being snobby. The truth of the matter was the exact opposite. I felt like such an idiot for running away from you, but I had never met anyone with such superstar status face to face like that before. It was surreal. You turned back to the bar and sat by yourself with your beer, looking contemplatively at the wall.
As I sat back down with my girlfriends, I watched you sitting there. You were surrounded by your band and the rest of your entourage, but you decided to sit alone and stare at the wall. You were definitely happy to be with your band but you looked a little lost sitting there alone. It was like you weren't sure where this next phase of your life was going to take you. Looking back, I wish I had had the courage to sit down and chat with you. I wanted to tell you so many things. About how I had seen you in concert on your Kick tour in '88. About how it was the first concert my mother let me go out of town with my boyfriend to go see. About how I was glad you guys were back together and recording some new tracks. I wanted to tell you all those things but was too shy. Now that I think back on that night, you looked like you could have used a regular girl to talk to. You looked like you really needed some normalcy in your life right about then.
Just remember that during the days you walked on this planet, if there were ever girls who ran away from you it was most likely because they couldn't believe a star like you would want to talk to them. After reading stories from people who knew you I realize now you were just a regular guy who liked to talk to people. I think people often forget that stars are regular people too. That would be a hard life and you did look tired of all that nonsense. So sorry you couldn't find another way out, but I hope you and Paula have finally found yourselves some peace.
Kelly S.
I remember running into you in Vancouver in the winter of 1995. I was at a neighborhood pub with my girlfriends when you came in the back door with your band. We knew the owner and he had invited you guys there for a beer that night. I coudln't believe it was actually you, such a HUGE star, in our little pub. Anyway, when you walked in, you seemed to notice me from across the room. Some people have told me I look like Helena Christenson, so maybe that is what it is that made you look twice. Whatever it was, I could not believe you would even glance at a regular girl like me. I was no pop star or supermodel, just a regular girl out with my friends on a Friday night.
I felt like you were watching me from the back of the room, but I couldn't tell for sure because those big curls were falling over your eyes. I got up to go to the bathroom which was past where you were sitting at the bar. As I walked by, you spun around off your chair, stood up, looked me right in the eye and smiled. I couldn't believe it! I stood there frozen, not knowing what to say or do. I was so star-stuck and shy, I just stammered a little and then ran away! I think you thought I was being snobby. The truth of the matter was the exact opposite. I felt like such an idiot for running away from you, but I had never met anyone with such superstar status face to face like that before. It was surreal. You turned back to the bar and sat by yourself with your beer, looking contemplatively at the wall.
As I sat back down with my girlfriends, I watched you sitting there. You were surrounded by your band and the rest of your entourage, but you decided to sit alone and stare at the wall. You were definitely happy to be with your band but you looked a little lost sitting there alone. It was like you weren't sure where this next phase of your life was going to take you. Looking back, I wish I had had the courage to sit down and chat with you. I wanted to tell you so many things. About how I had seen you in concert on your Kick tour in '88. About how it was the first concert my mother let me go out of town with my boyfriend to go see. About how I was glad you guys were back together and recording some new tracks. I wanted to tell you all those things but was too shy. Now that I think back on that night, you looked like you could have used a regular girl to talk to. You looked like you really needed some normalcy in your life right about then.
Just remember that during the days you walked on this planet, if there were ever girls who ran away from you it was most likely because they couldn't believe a star like you would want to talk to them. After reading stories from people who knew you I realize now you were just a regular guy who liked to talk to people. I think people often forget that stars are regular people too. That would be a hard life and you did look tired of all that nonsense. So sorry you couldn't find another way out, but I hope you and Paula have finally found yourselves some peace.
Kelly S.