By Melanie Wolfson
Well, I did it. This evening, I met the three reasons why I fell in love with rock and roll in the first place: Billie Joe, Mike and Tré.
I began my journey to meet the guys nearly 18 hours ago when I stood in line to get a wristband that would guarantee my entry into a meet-and-greet with Green Day at their album signing tonight at Best Buy. I haven't slept at all since then (except for a 15-minute nap I had on the sidewalk at around 5:30 a.m.), but, strangely, it hasn't caught up with me yet ... I've been too excited. And then, as if that wasn't enough, thanks to MTV News, I was able to tag along to an exclusive interview we had with the band before they whipped out the pens to sign 500 albums.
As we waited in the downstairs studio at the store, I tried to calm my nerves but could not keep my legs from shaking or my heart from pounding. When we got the signal that the guys were on their way down, I thought for a minute I might faint or cry (or both), but luckily, I held it together.
When Green Day walked into the room, I was completely unprepared for the first thing that happened: Billie Joe walked immediately over to me, with arms wide open. We hugged. And then I almost died.
I’m pretty sure their publicist Brian told the guys there was this crazy intern who had waited since 3 a.m. to see them and he knew a hug would probably make me melt. He was right. I was so shocked by the fact I had just wrapped my arms around Billie Joe that I couldn’t even reach my hand out to Mike and Tré. But, I think any more physical contact with the band and I would’ve been out cold.
The interview felt like it was over in 30 seconds, but it only took that long to show me that the dudes were as charismatic as I always imagined them to be. They cracked jokes (Tré making a sexual innuendo as to how he got his wrist ready for a night of signing) and admitted they would line up early too for a chance to meet their favorite bands if they were young again. (Billie Joe’s choice? Hüsker Dü.) Green Day were such normal dudes that it felt totally natural to be 4 feet away from rock stars (well, for about a second maybe).
Before Green Day were rushed out to begin signing, I managed to get a sweet picture with the band. If you ask me, I think I look like their fourth member. Or, more accurately, just a fan who began her love in elementary school and got to meet them a week before graduating college.
I’d say it was worth the wait.
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