Seeing and meeting Status Quo at Clipsal 500

I took my Mum to see Status Quo at the Clipsal 500 race in Adelaide recently as her cousin, Alan Lancaster, was a founding member of the band and bass guitarist. Mum had been a fan since she was 15, following Alan and Francis Rossi and going on the fan bus with her friend Jill to gigs at school dances and Butlins in the UK.

We arrived at the Clipsal 500 race track and walked with the throngs of people down to the after race concert and stage area. Amongst the dust, and in the middle of the rides, drinks and food stalls was a matted area and a huge black industrial looking stage.

There were a number of bands on before Status Quo and we had met up with my cousins, the "Hower's" with a good location towards the front of the stage and under one of the large screens.

Mum was excited about seeing the band and we planned on having a few drinks and a dance. Talking to one of my cousins, we thought we might be able to approach security and meet Francis through the connection that my Mum, and their Mum (my Aunty) had with the band. I went up to a security guard at the front of the stage and said we knew Status Quo - his reaction was sure you do, but he did direct me around to the back of the stage and said I would need to speak with someone around there.

So I walked past the food and drink stalls to the back of the stage where the acts arrived and where they were driven into the fenced off area. I spoke with another security guard, who referred me to his supervisor and then the head of security - took about 5-0 mins to convince each up the line. My story and the connection was genuine and I guess that must have come across plus I used my negotiation and influencing skills too. The head of security said he would talk to the band manager and then the manager, Grant, popped out to see me.

I explained that my Mum was Alan's cousin and one of their first fans, growing up with them in England. Grant asked for my name and Mum's - Jean (nee) Lancaster. Grant went back to speak with Francis Rossi and then he came back to see me and said "Go and get your Mum!" So I raced back around to the spot we had out the front, grabbed Mum and brought her around to the back stage area. After a minute or two, Grant came out and took us both into the compound area. Francis was standing a few metres away and he and Mum hugged with huge smiles and caught up for about half an hour.

Mum was on a high and we went back out the front to enjoy their concert - we sang, danced, took lots of pics and also moved down to the second row. Mum even got onto my husband, Scott's shoulders and did the rock n roll sign.

So thanks to Scott for the tickets, my cousins for making it a great night, Francis for making the time to catch up with Mum as the excitement for her lasted for ages afterwards.

Have you got a similar story?