Back in the 70′s and early 80′s I ran a fan club for Tom in California. I decided to start my own for obvious reasons (my admiration for Tom, etc.), but the other big reason was how some of the other fan club pres’ were so possessive. Back in the day, Lloyd Greenfield would allow meet and greets backstage before or after shows and he would ask how many would be in your group. I alway took a couple of new members with me each time…it was only fair! I had been told so many times that only the same people would be allowed backstage and I found out later that that was absolutely not true. I felt that Tom appreciated seeing new people as they asked new questions and really appreciated the opportunity to have a photo with Tom. But, I always told these ladies to act with dignity and have respect for Tom because I was afraid that if something odd happened, that these backstage visits would end. I always had a nice visit, usually with three or four other groups of people…most of them fans, some were high-rollers (in Vegas and Lake Tahoe).

To make a long story shorter, I did this for a while and had a great time and MOST of the people I dealt with were great people — as you all are here. We had fun going to concerts and corresponding by mail and phone before this wonderful internet. Then, in the mid- 80′s things started to get strange and weird with these obsessive crazies. I would get phone calls late at night asking about Tom…I would get strange correspondence.

Once before a concert I felt that one of these people sounded a bit unstable so I notified Tom’s people that I was concerned for Tom and I remember that night going backstage that security was a bit tighter and we had to show ID (driver’s licenses) to get backstage. After that, with a heavy heart and tears, I threw in the towel. Just as fan club president, mind you, I never stopped being a fan. So, who is to know what has happened over the years. Maybe there are things going on behind the scenes that we don’t know about that is keeping Tom’s people from having meet and greets?! But, after looking at these threads, it seems that there are some people getting backstage for photo ops. Again, this is just my perspective and I look back now and realize that these folks had an effect on my life and my fan club….I regret giving it up.

I miss being able to see Tom backstage and have a photo and bring new folks to meet him. It was a joy. … With that said, I can’t imagine what it is like for Tom and his people to deal with these people on a daily basis. That’s my take on it…..thanks for the chance to vent!

I could not agree more!!! Let’s respect each other and give something back to Sir Tom for all he has given us over the years. It would be a real shame for the fans who want to meet Tom and who would be polite and respectful if he were forced to stop making time for a photo or an autograph due to bad behavior by others. Being polite and patient worked wonders for me, believe me.

I’ve met some great friends in Vegas who were not selfish rude nor stalkers, just a couple of fans who went to see the Best Singer Ever (that’s my opinion.) and enjoy a girls’ night out. Wish all of TJ’s fan could be like them. Some so-called fans just have to ruin it for others.