Yes, Former Frontier Editor, I did meet him once – very briefly.

Back around 1980 at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, which is held at Birds Hill Park (about 25 kms north of Winnipeg). I was working as a volunteer, which meant I had to do three shifts (one each day) and in return I not only got free admission but also a backstage pass. My job was in Hospitality, so I had to greet the performers when they arrived and help them get settled in, show them where to store their things, where the food tent was, etc. It was the best volunteer gig at the festival, as you can imagine.

Anyhow, I was so thrilled that Stéphane Grappelli was scheduled to play and that I wouldn’t be working during his performance. But this meant that I was working when he arrived on the site. And even before he arrived the rumours started coming in that he was less than pleased about having to travel to the site on the performers’ bus and not in a limo. So by the time he arrived and I went to greet him he was clearly in a very foul mood and all I got in response was an icy cold stare before one of the festival organisers took over and led him away. And that was that.

I wonder if he remembered that moment for the rest of his life too . . . 😉

And yes, the concert was brilliant and I got to sit right up front at side stage.