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I attended the Chicago Urban League’s 48th annual Golden Fellowship this past weekend. Came close to and actually shook hands with some important people.

While sitting at our table, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn entered the room, just moments before he was announced. He waved and said hello to folks as he passed. I held out my hand and he shook it. I also got a chance to say hello to and shake the hand of legendary radio personality Cliff Kelly (I was actually interviewed by him a few years ago).

Got close to, but did not get to shake the hand of Illinois Congressmen Roland Burris.

I’ve mentioned before my celebrity page www.groupendeavors.com/steve where you can see photos of me posing with some famous people (including Mr, Kelly while being interviewed at the Operation Push Expo).

What I have have told few people about are the famous people I met over the years when I did not have a camera. Where here a partial list:

Legendary Chicago TV newscaster, the late Fayhe Flynn: Just happen to see him standing on the street. I said hello, he smiled and said hello back.

Richard M. Nixon: Between his time as Vice President and President.  It was at some luncheon I attended because I was an honor student in High School.  After he spoke, I had a chance to go up and meet him and shake his hand.

Patrick MacNee of the original Avengers:  Mr. MacNee was in town doing a play.  Stopped him on the street corner.  Typical British gentileman, he spoke to me briefly and shook my hand.  I think he appreciated the fact that someone actually recognized him.

Late comedian Sid Ceasar:  While working as a cable TV tech in the Drake Hotel, shared and elevator with him.  Very friendly.  Spent a few minutes lamenting the sorry state of comedy (bad language and dirty jokes).  This was in the late 1970′s.

Andrew Young:  I believe he was mayor of Atlanta at the time.  Happened to see his standing in the airport.  I walked up, said hello and shook his hand.

B. B. King:  This one is a little strange.  Again, I was working as a cable technician at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare.  I needed to get into a guest room to repair the equipment.  I asked the maid if the room was empty.  She did not speak very good english and apparently misunderstood me when she replied “yes.”  I entered the room with the master key and there, in the middle of the floor sat Blues Legend B. B. King, in his underwear sorting through his tapes.  I quickly apologized and backed out of the room.  He was very kind and accepted my apology.  If that wasn’t bad enough, the next evening we had tickets to see him perform at the Blue Max, a small, intimate club at the hotel.  I spent half the time hoping he would not recognize me.

More celebrity encounters in a later post.

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