Backstreet Boys in Australia
Sydney 19th November 2000
Sunday November 19th 2000 was to be the second day I met The Backstreet Boys. Finally they were coming to my country again after a 4 year absence in which time their fan base had grown beyond what they realised. We were meeting them to give them a Black & Blue jersey each. We had them made about 20 of us wore some on the day as well, standing out wherever we were.
Anyway, Bondi Beach was where we were meeting them, a famous Australian Beach. We were on the way to Bondi beach, much too early, but we couldn't wait any longer to head down there. We wanted to go to the airport to greet them into our country, but we had to be at Bondi at the time they were to touch down. As we found out later we could have gone, but it didn't matter.
We were finally at Bondi, but very early, so we went into a coffee shop to wait. We were very nervous, but were coping okay. Later we went to the beach and with our VIP passes, we were allowed to stand up in the cordoned off area. Alot of people were turning up, even though this was originally going to be a secret venue. But it was in the paper so alot of fans turned up. Not as many as should have though.
Okay, on to the Boys arrival. We were all very nervous now, knowing they would be here soon. Just knowing they were on Australian soil was exciting. There had been an announcement saying they had landed in their jet! Oh we wished we were there too.
So we waited, and waited. Finally they arrived and the crowd errupted. We were standing on the steps they walked down so I got some good pics of them. They went down on the beach to meet some fans and be presented with some surfboards and some Bondi Life Savers Speedo's!
We are waiting up on the steps, getting the details of what we are doing. Then I said "The
Backstreet Boys are down there on the sand and we are standing up here?" It didn't seem right.
A little while later I said it again, and then it got the better of me,
and I headed down the steps. I ended up taking
pics between two peoples legs!!!!! When I looked down Brian had his pair
of Speedos on his head!!! Note to Brian, they aren't supposed to be worn there! AJ had his over his jeans.... Ummmm, AJ, that's not right either. You are supposed to wear ONLY the speedos. Why didn't you all model them? So, I snapped a roll of film there. They were so
funny, interacting with the crowd, who were of course loving it.
Then they were heading back up, we had to dash up the stairs. Once the
Boys were upstairs indoors (sound confusing) we were then allowed up. We waited out in the main room, luckily able to get a drink because we were so thirsty, and my mouth always goes dry when I am nervous.
Then Kevin came out, he wanted a drink. So they scrambled for some still water for him, and he was happy to stop and chat to some people. They moved everyone to one side of the room. Because they were running late, they had the Boys come out to us instead of us going in to them, sort of like a meet and greet that I had always imagined. Kevin still chatting, Brian was the first one out. Okay, so I have to admit it, then I was lost. I patiently waited for him to get to me, noticing the hugs and photos being taken.
(First, we were all wearing B&B jerseys with our fave's name on the
back) . He sees Kylie's B&B Jersey and says I like your shirt. I hand
over his bag and said You have one too..... He says Oh really, that's so nice. I put my hand out and said to him I am Sue from the Aussie Fan Club, and shook his hand. Nice firm handshake too LOL Then I jump in for my photo opportunity. I couldn't believe how
calm I was, but my mind was racing. I had to get that hug, and that
photo. I smiled at the camera. What else did I have to say? The camera clicked three times, and his hug was so nice. He holds you nice and tight, and I had my arm around his waist, nice and tight, I am sure just about head to head. So I step away and tell him I have something else for him and show him the tapestry (It was made by me, a pic of Leighanne and him on their wedding day that I stitched.). I was told the look on his face was something else. I heard it in his voice. He absolutely loved it. I told him it was for him and Leighanne
when he asked me something about making it for him. And OMG he said to
me it was his favourite photo of them! *sigh* So I turned and asked if another pic could be taken. Amanda took this happy snap and we will get a copy of that a whole lot faster than the professional one. I can hardly wait. I wasn't thinking and didn't grab a kiss, but my aim for the day was to get the hug and photo and it was happening. So ready to move on, I say Brian, can you sign my jersey, which he gladly does when I turn around (Such a sweetheart he was, very happy and accomodating) Then he signs Kylie's. Finally I stop monopolising his time and reluctantly let him move on.
So I am in a daze and Howie comes up behind me and asks me if I want him to sign that. I gave him my VIP pass to sign, explaining to him in Detroit he was the only autograph I missed. He really is gorgeous, photos do not do the man justice. His hair was tied back though and he still had the cap on his head. (One that we all had too. Made in Australia) So he signs my pass and turns and puts his arm around me. And another photo was snapped.
I think Nick slipped past at the time when I was getting my pic taken
with Howie, or was it when I was using my Brian tunnel Vision? So I
missed him. I turned around and everyone had their parcels, and AJ was
passing me. Kerry got a cuddle and kiss and I never even saw it. Kevin
was still there. (See, again first on out, and last to leave) He had his parcel I think Kylie had given to him and he was being hurried on. He is gorgeous to look at, stunning, but then again they all are. Oh and earlier, Brian had told Kylie he likes her hat, and then so did Kevin. She had my Kentucky Wildcats cap on, which I put on later.
Then they were gone, but left us with such wonderful memories. From there we went to Pitt St Mall in the city, where we had VIP passes. We were right up the front of the VIP Section and I stayed there the whole time. I wasn't budging. Much later that day the Boys arrived and did their 30 minute "show". The thing that stuck in my mind was that they seemed genuinely blown away by the crowd that was there. I know Jive didn't expect that big a crowd to turn up and the police and ambulance officers were kept busy. Brian didn't say alot here, he seemed to be tired, which is understandable after the long flight and big day they had had. Kevin and Nick did most of the talking. Funniest thing was when someone threw a bra up on the stage and Brian picked it up. Kevin held it up for everyone to see, then put it on AJ! Nick did the bra up on AJ! LMBO. Then Nick put it on his head tied under his chin!
After this event we went back to the airport to await the Boys final Australian "appearance" FOR NOW! They promised they would be back for their world tour this time. We waited and finally they appeared, slowing long enough for a wave before driving off to their luxurious jet. AJ was even videotaping the fans as he drove by! We watched the plane leave before heading back to our hotel to reflect on the day.
Another thing that stuck in my mind was the Boys themselves and their willingness to be accomodating all day. They seemed happy and went out of their way to make every fan they met in the day feel special. They are five of the most wonderful guys who really do touch so many people's lives. This was also National Friendship Day, and I know through the Backstreet Boys I have made many friends. True and treasured friends. I want to thank Brian, Kevin, Nick, AJ and Howie for the special people they are, for their music and just for being them. I want to wish them every happiness they so deserve.