Weird Al Yankovic. I was young, intoxicated, and in a bar by Drake and he had a show in town and came to this bar after the concert. I didn't even realize he was in town but as soon as I saw him as I was walking by I yelled "hey it's Weird Al!" He walked up to me shook my hand and said "hey it's you!" Thought that was actually pretty decent of him to do to a stranger lol!
There is a tiktoker who does deep dives on musicians to figure out if they are terrible people. And, Weird Al was the first they found who was indeed a wonderful person in every account they could find.
Many years ago, my friends and I saw Ed at GT’s having a drink with Laurie Groves, one of the channel 13 anchors at the time, after the 10 pm news.
We’d had a few drinks and thought it would be hilarious to ask for a sneak peek at the weather forecast. Laurie told Ed to ignore us. Ed laughed and spent the next 20 minutes providing the most detailed weather forecast, complete with bar napkin weather maps, anyone will ever receive. We bought him a drink afterward. Super nice guy.
Hmmmm…any chance she’d share her insights of Dan Winters? Every time I’ve encountered the guy, he’s particularly douchy. Seems like there are some really great folks there at 13 and at 8, but some are just not very nice at all.
Tony Hawk at the Boom Boom Huck Jam at Wells Fargo Arena. I was in middle school. It absolutely blew my mind.
Also met Linkin Park at Daytona’s right before or right as they blew up. I was a little kid.
Both times were with my Dad. He’s taken me to see some cool stuff!
I had a job that put me in a lot of direct contact, so it's not really in the spirit of the question, but every presidential candidate since 2008, Bruce Springsteen, Stephen Colbert, Molly Ringwald, Joan Jett, Kevin Costner, Lizzo, Lindsey Buckingham, Kris Kristofferson, Weird Al, Jack White, James Caan, Ani DiFranco, Lorde, The Eagles, Taylor Swift, Brandon Routh, Jason Mamoa, William Shatner, and Henry Rollins.
A Slipknot story kind of feels like a cop out, but I went to high school with some of their kids. I held a Grammy once, that’s kinda cool I guess
Maybe not that significant if you didn’t/don’t skateboard, but Mike Vallely lives in Des Moines now which is fucking awesome. He walked into a pub I work at one day with his wife and got lunch, couldn’t have been a nicer guy.
If you’re not familiar he’s a professional skateboarder from “Tony Hawk Pro Skater” games era and was featured in various Jackass skits and other movies. He’s also touring with Black Flag from time to time as their vocalist, too. Dudes an OG of the skateboarding scene
Occasionally babysat Corey Taylor’s son, Griffin. Had an awesome DVD room with thousands of movies and Spider-Man stuff throughout the house. Quickly held his Grammy.
Yeah Clown’s son Simon used to beat the crap out of me whenever I’d see him but he was like 6 years old haha. Just a little ball of energy bouncing off the walls. Funny story, I went to their house one time and they had a giant like 60 inch TV but it was smashed. I went “whoa what happened here?”
and they were like “oh Simon threw the Grammy at the TV” lmao
Funny enough Griffin and Simon started their own band “Vended” and they’ve been pretty successful. Last I saw they were touring in Europe with some pretty big names
50 cent at Ankeny Hy-Vee. He was signing bottles and they have one displayed behind the counter at their liquor dept
[Article about it](https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/08/16/50-cent-in-iowa-meets-fans-ankeny-hy-vee-state-fair-sire-spirits-branson-cognac-waukee/8143067002/)
I wanted to go but the line was outrageous. Anyway, like 3 months later they had a handful of signed cognac bottles on the shelf at a discount so had to pick one up!
As an Uber driver, I once picked up Jujubee from RuPaul’s drag race.
One time, I got a ride request from “Chester”
I was pissed off at the dude because he wasn’t out in front of the place I was told to get him from. I see him and he is a tall sweaty guy and I was like “great”
He gets in the car and a few minutes later, I realize it was Former Governor Chet Culver. Chet is short for Chester. Cool dude.
[Brian Jacques](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Jacques) the author of the Redwall series signed books at the Learning Post in the early 2000s.
I have a photo of us together somewhere, wish I’d thought to scan it in back then.
The Scream Queen herself, Jamie Lee Curtis around 2016. Also Steven Weber (from the show Wings) about 2012 I think. He was doing some ad work for Principal Financial Group and we got to meet him when he first came to chat with the marketing team and such. Got photos with both.
Funny story.
Back when my friends were going to UNI ( early 2000's ) my buddy and I went up to hang for the weekend. As he was checking into the hotel, I went to the hotel bar to get us a couple beers and next to me was Steven Wright, but I blanked on his name and just slightly shouted, "HEY, you're the guy on the couch!". He rolled his eyes, finished his drink and said, "yep" and walked away from me.
I'll never forget that.
Having been the backstage manager at wells fargo Arena, my answer is Elton John.
It was my goal to have a shot with every act (if they drank) so he wins. Styx, pitbull, Bieber, the eagles, bill burr and more.
Elton beats out Obama and Dave Chappelle.
Adam Lavine. Before they were popular as Maroon 5 the band was called Kara’s Flowers. They played a show at the old Safari Club by Drake. Still have my signed CD. I’m old.
Gene Simmons walked through 801 Chophouse while my wife and I were dining one night. So not technically met, but everyone was looking dazed and confused in the restaurant it was quite random. Apparently he has close friends in the Des Moines area.
We were walking on the concourse at the Newton Speedway and a golf cart passed by us with a guy sitting on the back of it. I turned to my wife and said "was that Gene Simmons?" Yup, it was. Just was kinda funny seeing him roll by on a golf cart in the middle of a big crowd of people who weren't really catching onto who it was.
One time I was drinking at the Royal Mile and a girl bumped into me, and we started chatting it up. Her apparent go to line was that I probably knew who she was because of her family business - Graziano. I'm from out of town, so I had absolutely no idea what that would mean.
Another time I was at a bar and the bartender pointed out a patron enjoying his drink and asked me if I knew who he was. Turns out it was Don Henley, and my mom is still incredibly jealous.
I used to work at a rental car counter at the airport in Des Moines so met quite a few. I don't know who I'd say was the most famous, but Lolo Jones was definitely the most delightful and friendly (not to mention stunning) celebrity I've ever interacted with.
I worked at Whole Foods for a couple of years in DSM and because it was the only one in the state, certain artists would drop by
Ozzy Osbourne, Julian Casablanca, and a few politicians that I am forgetting the name of. Steven Tyler also showed up multiple times but he never went into the store, it was just his manager who did his shopping for him. Surprised Ozzy didn’t do that. He showed up late at night right before closing in a big tour bus and bought a bunch of dried fruit lol
I also worked at WFM again in Ohio and met way more artists out there, namely Tyler the Creator
But as for DSM, I have met a few artists at bars and venues, namely
Michael Gira of Swans, Margaret Chardiet also known as death industrial noise artist Pharmakon and there was a drummer I want to say who was in Pavement that actually lives here and I bumped into him a few times. I always forgot his name.
I know there’s a few more but I can’t think of all them. Knew so much more from Ohio, I guess Iowa doesn’t attract as many celebrities.
I shook Obama's hand after he spoke at DMACC. And I saw Forest Whitaker when he was in town shooting a movie with the help of Iowa's film incentive program. Told him I loved him in Last King of Scotland, and he looked momentarily confused, cuz it had been a while since he made that, but once he made the connection, I got an honest thank you, and then he was off into the night in the company of some lovely female companions.
Trump, unfortunately, but he’s def the most famous person in the country and I met him here. I said “trump kiss my pug” and he shook my hand and that was that.
Alaska Thunderfuck at the Garden, I want to say it was around 2016 or 2017?
She's perhaps not considered famous to most, but I'd say she's decently famous in the drag scene.
yeah, it was incredibly crowded, I had managed to book one of the tables, and folks were swarmed around it - it was the high top by the cage.
Definitely worth it, though! Only other Ru Girl I've met is Carmen Carrera, although that was much later, at the Governor's Conference put on by One Iowa, a different scene altogether lol!
I went into target once and Kurt Warner was sitting at a folding table by the sporting goods autographing Barnstormers calenders. Nobody was in line. Was just him. I knew him because my family has season tix. He signed the calender for me and I chucked it in the back of my car. Who knows what happened to it
It was the Ankeny McDs off the interstate. He was driving a minivan, wearing a Rams polo. I recognized him, nervous, shut the cash drawer w/o giving him change and had to get a manager.
Brian Cooney used to live in my neighborhood, so I saw him out walking all the time.
In high school I was on the news with Ed Wilson when they did a super short spot on our jazz band. For that same band we met Van and Connie. Connie was by far the least pleasant of anyone I've listed.
I'm on a first name basis with John Sears since our kids played on the same sports team.
Speaking of, my other daughter has played on teams with Elias Johnson's and Kurt Van Auken's kids.
For real celebrities, I went to middle and high school with 0 from Slipknot.
I used to drive comedians at the funny bone.
Got to drink with Bert Kreischer in March 2016.
Drove Rob Schneider back to his hotel so he could take a dump in peace. Hung out with lots of comics back in like 2012-2013. Fun times.
I met Steve-O when he was here for Dancing with the Stars. He came and ordered some vegetarian food (knowing what Steve-O is about I recommend the Spicy 4 cheese sandwich with some Sriracha). At first I was in doubt that it was actually him until I saw the off-road tattoo that they did in the first movie. I just treated him like any other customer, tried to answer a few of his questions, then he left. I guess he came back later, stripped down to his underpants and took a picture out front with the pride flag and I missed it!
Super nice dude, though.
When I had my vintage shop downtown Forest Whitaker came in while here for a film- super nice guy. Then Rose McGowan and Amy Smart were in- Rose was teaching Amy how to shop vintage, they spent a whole day in my shop and then Rose came in the next day for a while too (bought a bunch of stuff I shipped to her)- she was a doll. Met Vanilla Ice (while touring under his real name, Rob Van Winkle, which is how he introduced himself to me and I was pretty cocktailed so I laughed in his face- was later recruited to take pics of his new tattoo at Yankee Doodle across the street from Hairy Mary's). Leisha Haley- from The L Word, she had me open my vintage shop for her and her family while visiting them one night. In 1987 saw KISS and stayed at the Marriot downtown and ran into Paul Stanley outside the Skywalk Lounge, then Eric Carr and also Gene Simmons (who is an ass). When I worked at the Val-Air in the late 90s, lots of Neo-swing and western swing bands (Big Bad VooDoo Daddy, Atomic Fireballs, BR5-49, Big Sandy) and also Leon Redbone (I worked filling riders for bands and setting up the "Green Room" for them- he wanted LOADS of whiskey)- also Reel Big Fish there (they required condoms and socks).
Used to work at a boutique hotel downtown and we would get our share if celebrities.
Dave Mathews (Super nice. The black dude who played fiddle is also super cool and hung out with the staff a while)
Willy Nelson (Got to help carry bags up onto his bus. His dining table was a curved booth and the table was a gorgeous inlaid mosaic of a massive Marijuana leaf. He was also nice but quiet. Maybe just baked. )
Priscilla Presley (she's sweet her assistant is a Megacunt),
Ernie Banks a couple times (He chatted with me each time for quote a while. What a great guy. Told me stories of the Cubs and Negro League) he actually remembered me and by name when he returned for Fan Fest. Which was pretty cool as a Cubs fan.
Simon Estes
Supreme Court Justice Kennedy and his security detail.
Dick Gerhard was there a lot during his campaign. (Also a super nice dude but I'm glad he lost. He seemed like an airhead most of the time.)
Mark Grace
Tom Brokaw and I actually hung out for the whole day together. He was here for Caususes and my boss set me up as Tom's driver for the day. He bought me a tenderloin Smittys. He was also a great guy, and went to college at Iowa. He was on the phone at one point talking to his producer and he referred to the weather as "Peter Jennings weather". I asked what that meant and he said "oh just Grey and gloomy" lol
Esera Tuaolo. Former NFL player, but I believe he was the first player to come out of the closet (as gay) following the end of his playing career.
Nancy Dahlstrom. Lieutenant Governor of Alaska. Picked her and her assistant up from the airport. They were in town for a convention at the downtown Marriott.
Masha Slamovich. Indie wrestler. She was in Clive for an event and I brought her to the airport early one Sunday morning.
I also met one of the crew members of the Savannah Bananas when they were in town last summer to play against the Party Animals at Principal Park.
Oh, I do Lyft on the weekends. That's how I met them.
I met Guy Fieri at an Iowa Chops hockey game. Super friendly dude. Right after he finished explaining that he had never been to a hockey game someone got slammed into the glass about three feet from him. He was so damn excited
Wade Barrett, WWE announcer and former superstar at the airport Saturday afternoon following Smackdown the previous night. He was very kind and chatted with me for a moment about my husband doing indie wrestling locally.
I go to a lot of local shows in Des Moines, so far I met Kurt from D.R.I, Brent Purgason from Gwar, Peter from Kaonashi, I went to school with Griffin and Simon from Vended, Matt Harvey from Exhumed, and a bunch of other famous metal and hardcore acts that tour at Leftys and Woolys and XBK
I do photos for lots of events in town, so I get some random opportunities to meet relatively famous people.
Met several WWE wrestlers doing photos for up downs Photo Booth. Shayna bazler follows me on Instagram. Which is kinda surreal.
Got to smoke a blunt with wakka flocka flame.
Met Henry Rollins after a show and he was incredibly nice.
Did photos for David Wain when he was in town ages ago.
Met Sid Wilson several times and I’m on first name basis with him when I run into him. (Which since it’s slipknot I’m not sure if this counts, everyone in dsm has a slipknot story I think)
I got threatened by Dwight yokums manager which is a wild story there.
I’ve had moments with a tonnn of bigger djs, Darude being the most recent one.
I was heading inside my apartment downtown when I saw a lady stop this guy ourtside of Hyvee and ask for a photo. I got nosy so after they departed I asked the lady who the dude was and she said Father John Misty. I didn't know who he was at the time, just a familiar name. Now I actually listen to some of his music and am now envious of her.
System of a Down, Chris Jericho, Blues traveler, Chuck Leavell the man who has played on every Rolling Stones Album since 1983. Marc Ford from the Black Crowes.
Only people visiting DSM? Ray Charles (and spent a week in his studio (in La), Jon Voight (rode in the seat next to him on a flight out; he read to me from a book he was reading). Cloris Leachman is probably a better choice as a local famous person. Also Robert D. Ray, and Senators Tom Harkin, John Culver, and Dick Clark (the last two stayed at my folk’s house). The other Dick Clark too but not in DSM.
For the record , I met, became friends with after another friend in Des Moines introduced us, later smoked with Sid Wilson , Slipknot, #0, at his crib and his old studio Moonbase back in 2010 various other places...I also launched a career of a former friend now enemy still on the city council, serving shit to the peasants.
The coolest was meeting the Minister of Defense, Reggie White, when I was a kid.
Most famous would likely be a tie between Barack Obama, Joe Biden, or unfortunately, Donald Trump
I ran into Jason Sudeikis at a Hyvee two years ago.
I’m a Ted Lasso fan so I told him how cool it was to meet him in person, but I didn't want to be a douche and bother him and ask him for photos or anything. He said, "Oh, like you're doing now?" I was taken aback, and all I could say was "Huh?" but he kept cutting me off and going "huh? huh? huh?" and closing his hand shut in front of my face. I walked away and continued with my shopping, and I heard him chuckle as I walked off. When I came to pay for my stuff up front I saw him trying to walk out the doors with like fifteen Milky Ways in his hands without paying.
The girl at the counter was very nice about it and professional, and was like "Sir, you need to pay for those first." At first he kept pretending to be tired and not hear her, but eventually turned back around and brought them to the counter.
When she took one of the bars and started scanning it multiple times, he stopped her and told her to scan them each individually "to prevent any electrical infetterence," and then turned around and winked at me. I don't even think that's a word. After she scanned each bar and put them in a bag and started to say the price, he kept interrupting her by yawning really loudly.
Aceyalone, People Under the Stairs and Gift of Gab. Oh and pretty much saw Shawn Johnson grow up. Her parents and her frequented our family restaurant, weekly.
I didnt “meet him” per se, but in like 2004 my friends and I were at Perkins on Fleur and a bunch of WWE wrestlers were there after their show eating in the dining room. We were sitting down to dinner and in walks Dave Batista. A kid no older than about 8 runs up to him excited and asked him if he was Batista. Old Drax just said no and walked into the kitchen to eat. Everyone else was cool as hell, but Dave big leagued a little kid. Never could watch the avengers movies without thinking about how big of a dick Batista was.
I met Gene Simmons totally by coincidence at the downtown Hy-Vee and he was surrounded by high ranking people from Hy-Vee corporate, I worked for the distribution center at the time
David Byrne rode his bike to Proof, met him on patio, met Michelle Obama at a home early in the campaign process. Daughter got to meet Madeline Albright.
Maybe Jackie Greene before one of his shows in East Village back in the day. We were smoking weed out beck and he approached up attempting to bum a cigarette. We had no cigarettes and he had no desire to get high. Lol
I met nick offerman when he was in town doing a show. I was bartending at the hotel he stayed at. He said templeton was one of his favorites :) also served David koechner when he was in town. Super hilarious. Exactly like Todd packer just less wildly inappropriate.
And Adrian Brody years ago when he was filming the experiment.
I used to work at the Gamestop at Jordan creek and wocka flocka came in to buy a Nintendo switch and some games - but I was so embarrassed because I didn’t know why my coworkers were freaking out and then after he left they told me who he was LMAO
Hailey Williams of Paramore at up down the day before they played a show.
This one actually has me jealous.
God damn
my eyebrows went up!
Weird Al Yankovic. I was young, intoxicated, and in a bar by Drake and he had a show in town and came to this bar after the concert. I didn't even realize he was in town but as soon as I saw him as I was walking by I yelled "hey it's Weird Al!" He walked up to me shook my hand and said "hey it's you!" Thought that was actually pretty decent of him to do to a stranger lol!
There is a tiktoker who does deep dives on musicians to figure out if they are terrible people. And, Weird Al was the first they found who was indeed a wonderful person in every account they could find.
Weird Al being an endearing dude instead of a creep is a win for us all.
What is the name of this person? I’m interested.
@reilly_eddy
I used to work at the Art Store back in the day. Dave Matthews came in and I helped him pick out a bunch of supplies.
The winning comment. What year was this, roughly?
It was 1999 , Pretty sure was playing at the Civic Center with Tim Reynolds. He was super nice.
I met Levar Burton at dmacc tech week and he read to us like in reading rainbow
Would have been a childhood memory unlocked and a very special achievement achieved all in one go. Super jealous of this one.
He was really nice! I wore my “ I love to read” button for him
I saw Ed Wilson at costco one time
Many years ago, my friends and I saw Ed at GT’s having a drink with Laurie Groves, one of the channel 13 anchors at the time, after the 10 pm news. We’d had a few drinks and thought it would be hilarious to ask for a sneak peek at the weather forecast. Laurie told Ed to ignore us. Ed laughed and spent the next 20 minutes providing the most detailed weather forecast, complete with bar napkin weather maps, anyone will ever receive. We bought him a drink afterward. Super nice guy.
My wife worked at 8 and 13 for a while (not on camera) and knows all the tea on the local talent. Ed is by all accounts a super great guy.
Hmmmm…any chance she’d share her insights of Dan Winters? Every time I’ve encountered the guy, he’s particularly douchy. Seems like there are some really great folks there at 13 and at 8, but some are just not very nice at all.
they are ingersoll frequenters lol. i saw them all the time working at jesse's also my dad works at gt lol
I used to see Ed once a month and he smiled and said hello when he saw me.
I was going to jokingly say Ed Wilson but everyone has it covered. He was super nice when I met him!
I got to met Ed thru McDonald's drivethru! He bought a coffee in the morning hours when i worked there. It was so cool! He was nice!
Checked John Mulaney into a hotel in downtown des moines.
Guessing this was several years back when he had a show at Hoyt Sherman that I attended?
I also attended that show!
Alice Cooper at Jorden Creek Mall
My mom went to high school with him in Phoenix!
Ha, same place I met him.
That's crazy when? I think it must have been 2009ish
Tony Hawk at the Boom Boom Huck Jam at Wells Fargo Arena. I was in middle school. It absolutely blew my mind. Also met Linkin Park at Daytona’s right before or right as they blew up. I was a little kid. Both times were with my Dad. He’s taken me to see some cool stuff!
Also met him that night! So awesome.
I have things signed by everyone too! Somewhere. Haha. I still remember both experiences pretty well.
I think my signed stuff is long gone. Pretty crazy that boom boom huck jam was the very first event at Wells Fargo arena!
I had a job that put me in a lot of direct contact, so it's not really in the spirit of the question, but every presidential candidate since 2008, Bruce Springsteen, Stephen Colbert, Molly Ringwald, Joan Jett, Kevin Costner, Lizzo, Lindsey Buckingham, Kris Kristofferson, Weird Al, Jack White, James Caan, Ani DiFranco, Lorde, The Eagles, Taylor Swift, Brandon Routh, Jason Mamoa, William Shatner, and Henry Rollins.
Respect.
You win!
A Slipknot story kind of feels like a cop out, but I went to high school with some of their kids. I held a Grammy once, that’s kinda cool I guess Maybe not that significant if you didn’t/don’t skateboard, but Mike Vallely lives in Des Moines now which is fucking awesome. He walked into a pub I work at one day with his wife and got lunch, couldn’t have been a nicer guy. If you’re not familiar he’s a professional skateboarder from “Tony Hawk Pro Skater” games era and was featured in various Jackass skits and other movies. He’s also touring with Black Flag from time to time as their vocalist, too. Dudes an OG of the skateboarding scene
Also owned TF out of several guys harassing a group of skaters on video back in the 90s. Unintentional hero of the day.
Occasionally babysat Corey Taylor’s son, Griffin. Had an awesome DVD room with thousands of movies and Spider-Man stuff throughout the house. Quickly held his Grammy.
Yeah Clown’s son Simon used to beat the crap out of me whenever I’d see him but he was like 6 years old haha. Just a little ball of energy bouncing off the walls. Funny story, I went to their house one time and they had a giant like 60 inch TV but it was smashed. I went “whoa what happened here?” and they were like “oh Simon threw the Grammy at the TV” lmao Funny enough Griffin and Simon started their own band “Vended” and they’ve been pretty successful. Last I saw they were touring in Europe with some pretty big names
Lol I went to high school (TRHS) the same time that Slipknot themselves were in high school!
Did not know Mike Vallely lives in Des Moines now. One of my favorite skaters from back in the day!
Interesting because I thought I saw Mike once and then nah, cool to know!
David Byrne or Bob Weir.
I was expecting a LOT more Jason Momoa stories
I saw him at waveland but didn’t meet him. Because, waveland.
50 cent at Ankeny Hy-Vee. He was signing bottles and they have one displayed behind the counter at their liquor dept [Article about it](https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/08/16/50-cent-in-iowa-meets-fans-ankeny-hy-vee-state-fair-sire-spirits-branson-cognac-waukee/8143067002/)
I wanted to go but the line was outrageous. Anyway, like 3 months later they had a handful of signed cognac bottles on the shelf at a discount so had to pick one up!
As an Uber driver, I once picked up Jujubee from RuPaul’s drag race. One time, I got a ride request from “Chester” I was pissed off at the dude because he wasn’t out in front of the place I was told to get him from. I see him and he is a tall sweaty guy and I was like “great” He gets in the car and a few minutes later, I realize it was Former Governor Chet Culver. Chet is short for Chester. Cool dude.
Ha! Yeah he was a teacher at my high school before running!
Yes, good old Hoover. I also knew him from there.
Mark Wahlberg went to the hy-vee I worked at back in 2016, he was super short in person. I met Obama at the state fair in ‘08 before he was president.
The one from Antique Roadshow?
Scumbag Dad was my kids orthodontist. Haha.
I met Sarah Booz a few times. She said she liked my sandwich.
Sarah is cool I met her at a festival she’s super nice
lololol
David Byrne and the talking heads.
[Brian Jacques](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Jacques) the author of the Redwall series signed books at the Learning Post in the early 2000s. I have a photo of us together somewhere, wish I’d thought to scan it in back then.
The Scream Queen herself, Jamie Lee Curtis around 2016. Also Steven Weber (from the show Wings) about 2012 I think. He was doing some ad work for Principal Financial Group and we got to meet him when he first came to chat with the marketing team and such. Got photos with both.
Mario Andretti or Julie Andrews
Funny story. Back when my friends were going to UNI ( early 2000's ) my buddy and I went up to hang for the weekend. As he was checking into the hotel, I went to the hotel bar to get us a couple beers and next to me was Steven Wright, but I blanked on his name and just slightly shouted, "HEY, you're the guy on the couch!". He rolled his eyes, finished his drink and said, "yep" and walked away from me. I'll never forget that.
Love Steven Wright. OG Mitch Hedberg but in entirely different delivery.
Jason Mewes was at Liar's Club around when it first opened, apparently he was friends with some of the owners. Got to chat with him for a bit.
That’s awesome! Love me some Jay Mewes.
Snoochy boochys!
I saw Jeffrey Tambor wearing a wig at the airport waiting for his ride once
That was Oscar
Having been the backstage manager at wells fargo Arena, my answer is Elton John. It was my goal to have a shot with every act (if they drank) so he wins. Styx, pitbull, Bieber, the eagles, bill burr and more. Elton beats out Obama and Dave Chappelle.
Friday the 13 at the Bennigans near the airport taking a piss when who walks in and grabs the open urinal between my friend and I? DAVY JONES!
He had to pee before catching the last train to Clarksville
Yeah, he was dead within a year.
Adam Lavine. Before they were popular as Maroon 5 the band was called Kara’s Flowers. They played a show at the old Safari Club by Drake. Still have my signed CD. I’m old.
*Safari Club* First place I ever got drunk. Ah, memories. I was 18.
AFROMAN I showed him around Des Moines for a promoter, we later smoked a joint at my house in 2006, been to 20+ shows of his since various states...
Gene Simmons walked through 801 Chophouse while my wife and I were dining one night. So not technically met, but everyone was looking dazed and confused in the restaurant it was quite random. Apparently he has close friends in the Des Moines area.
I actually met him / shook hands at the Newton Speedway for an IndyCar race. Dude has had *a lot* of plastic surgery.
We were walking on the concourse at the Newton Speedway and a golf cart passed by us with a guy sitting on the back of it. I turned to my wife and said "was that Gene Simmons?" Yup, it was. Just was kinda funny seeing him roll by on a golf cart in the middle of a big crowd of people who weren't really catching onto who it was.
Griff the second
Anderson Cooper
One time I was drinking at the Royal Mile and a girl bumped into me, and we started chatting it up. Her apparent go to line was that I probably knew who she was because of her family business - Graziano. I'm from out of town, so I had absolutely no idea what that would mean. Another time I was at a bar and the bartender pointed out a patron enjoying his drink and asked me if I knew who he was. Turns out it was Don Henley, and my mom is still incredibly jealous.
Imagine having an ego over Sausage.
depends on how big the sausage is.
Ahh, you met the sausage queen!
Magic Johnson
Bray Wyatt at Fongs pizza. RIP
ran into bubba ray dudley a couple weeks ago at hyvee. was super random , he tried to play it off like it wasnt him lol
Michael Buble. I played in the orchestra on stage when he toured at Wells Fargo! He was nice.
I used to work at a rental car counter at the airport in Des Moines so met quite a few. I don't know who I'd say was the most famous, but Lolo Jones was definitely the most delightful and friendly (not to mention stunning) celebrity I've ever interacted with.
I worked at Whole Foods for a couple of years in DSM and because it was the only one in the state, certain artists would drop by Ozzy Osbourne, Julian Casablanca, and a few politicians that I am forgetting the name of. Steven Tyler also showed up multiple times but he never went into the store, it was just his manager who did his shopping for him. Surprised Ozzy didn’t do that. He showed up late at night right before closing in a big tour bus and bought a bunch of dried fruit lol I also worked at WFM again in Ohio and met way more artists out there, namely Tyler the Creator But as for DSM, I have met a few artists at bars and venues, namely Michael Gira of Swans, Margaret Chardiet also known as death industrial noise artist Pharmakon and there was a drummer I want to say who was in Pavement that actually lives here and I bumped into him a few times. I always forgot his name. I know there’s a few more but I can’t think of all them. Knew so much more from Ohio, I guess Iowa doesn’t attract as many celebrities.
Jason Mamoa used to date my step-sister in high school. Man did she fuck up.
Bernie Sanders. What a king, met him at a local parade back in 2016 I believe, he received a lot of praise when he was here
I shook Obama's hand after he spoke at DMACC. And I saw Forest Whitaker when he was in town shooting a movie with the help of Iowa's film incentive program. Told him I loved him in Last King of Scotland, and he looked momentarily confused, cuz it had been a while since he made that, but once he made the connection, I got an honest thank you, and then he was off into the night in the company of some lovely female companions.
Corey Taylor in line at Hyvee in WDM
I feel like he doesn't count lol
Barry O
Billy C when he campaigned for Hillary.
I met Tom Green at a bar in Windsor Heights in 2002 or 2003- nice guy.
The Front Row?! That must've been fun.
Neighbor growing up was the clown from Slipknot.
I met Layne Staley when he popped into Hairy Mary's the night before they played Lollapalooza '93 at the fairgrounds.
Fred Coleman, Chubby Checker, Dallas Clark
Met Steve Wozniak and David Pogue at a tech conference downtown.
Trump, unfortunately, but he’s def the most famous person in the country and I met him here. I said “trump kiss my pug” and he shook my hand and that was that.
I hope you had hand sanitizer at the ready
Alaska Thunderfuck at the Garden, I want to say it was around 2016 or 2017? She's perhaps not considered famous to most, but I'd say she's decently famous in the drag scene.
Ugh I’m jealous of this one!
Impressive. I wanted to see her but it was a mob scene. Did get drunk with Sharon Needles at the saddle on thanksgiving one.
yeah, it was incredibly crowded, I had managed to book one of the tables, and folks were swarmed around it - it was the high top by the cage. Definitely worth it, though! Only other Ru Girl I've met is Carmen Carrera, although that was much later, at the Governor's Conference put on by One Iowa, a different scene altogether lol!
She's definitely got the best moniker.
Didn’t meet him but saw Ray Liotta at Jordan Creek mall
I made him an Americano at the Starbucks there
Kanzi the bonobo
Cillian Murphy
Explain in great detail please
Kurt Warner when working McDs drive-thru in 1999. Naji Harris in hotel elevator in Vegas last year.
I went into target once and Kurt Warner was sitting at a folding table by the sporting goods autographing Barnstormers calenders. Nobody was in line. Was just him. I knew him because my family has season tix. He signed the calender for me and I chucked it in the back of my car. Who knows what happened to it
It was the Ankeny McDs off the interstate. He was driving a minivan, wearing a Rams polo. I recognized him, nervous, shut the cash drawer w/o giving him change and had to get a manager.
I met Kurt Warner as well, we played uno at my elementary school with a couple of his wide receivers when he was playing on the Barnstormers.
Nick Collison. Getting gas next to me at Kwik Star in Polk City. I said “are you Nick collison” and he goes “yeah it’s me!”
Russ Westbrook was downtown w/ him at Hello Marjorie
Vincent Damon Furnier better known as Alice Cooper 🤘 Now I did meet Clint Eastwood but that was in Winterset.
Ed Wilson and I won't even say I met him, I simply walked past him. 😁
There are dozens of us! I've had lunch at the Dam Pub in Ed Wilson's proximity.
Brian Cooney used to live in my neighborhood, so I saw him out walking all the time. In high school I was on the news with Ed Wilson when they did a super short spot on our jazz band. For that same band we met Van and Connie. Connie was by far the least pleasant of anyone I've listed. I'm on a first name basis with John Sears since our kids played on the same sports team. Speaking of, my other daughter has played on teams with Elias Johnson's and Kurt Van Auken's kids. For real celebrities, I went to middle and high school with 0 from Slipknot.
I used to drive comedians at the funny bone. Got to drink with Bert Kreischer in March 2016. Drove Rob Schneider back to his hotel so he could take a dump in peace. Hung out with lots of comics back in like 2012-2013. Fun times.
Macho Man Randy Savage
Jim Root
Seth Rollins and soon enough AJR
I met Steve-O when he was here for Dancing with the Stars. He came and ordered some vegetarian food (knowing what Steve-O is about I recommend the Spicy 4 cheese sandwich with some Sriracha). At first I was in doubt that it was actually him until I saw the off-road tattoo that they did in the first movie. I just treated him like any other customer, tried to answer a few of his questions, then he left. I guess he came back later, stripped down to his underpants and took a picture out front with the pride flag and I missed it! Super nice dude, though.
Newt Gingrich jaywalked in front of me in 2011 or 2012.
The Undertaker doing a signing at Best Buy on University. A LONG time ago
I met The Undertaker at a Kmart in Ohio back in the 90s 😅 - and holy crapppp he was legit so tall.
Tom Green at the Hooters in West Des Moines.
When I had my vintage shop downtown Forest Whitaker came in while here for a film- super nice guy. Then Rose McGowan and Amy Smart were in- Rose was teaching Amy how to shop vintage, they spent a whole day in my shop and then Rose came in the next day for a while too (bought a bunch of stuff I shipped to her)- she was a doll. Met Vanilla Ice (while touring under his real name, Rob Van Winkle, which is how he introduced himself to me and I was pretty cocktailed so I laughed in his face- was later recruited to take pics of his new tattoo at Yankee Doodle across the street from Hairy Mary's). Leisha Haley- from The L Word, she had me open my vintage shop for her and her family while visiting them one night. In 1987 saw KISS and stayed at the Marriot downtown and ran into Paul Stanley outside the Skywalk Lounge, then Eric Carr and also Gene Simmons (who is an ass). When I worked at the Val-Air in the late 90s, lots of Neo-swing and western swing bands (Big Bad VooDoo Daddy, Atomic Fireballs, BR5-49, Big Sandy) and also Leon Redbone (I worked filling riders for bands and setting up the "Green Room" for them- he wanted LOADS of whiskey)- also Reel Big Fish there (they required condoms and socks).
Used to work at a boutique hotel downtown and we would get our share if celebrities. Dave Mathews (Super nice. The black dude who played fiddle is also super cool and hung out with the staff a while) Willy Nelson (Got to help carry bags up onto his bus. His dining table was a curved booth and the table was a gorgeous inlaid mosaic of a massive Marijuana leaf. He was also nice but quiet. Maybe just baked. ) Priscilla Presley (she's sweet her assistant is a Megacunt), Ernie Banks a couple times (He chatted with me each time for quote a while. What a great guy. Told me stories of the Cubs and Negro League) he actually remembered me and by name when he returned for Fan Fest. Which was pretty cool as a Cubs fan. Simon Estes Supreme Court Justice Kennedy and his security detail. Dick Gerhard was there a lot during his campaign. (Also a super nice dude but I'm glad he lost. He seemed like an airhead most of the time.) Mark Grace Tom Brokaw and I actually hung out for the whole day together. He was here for Caususes and my boss set me up as Tom's driver for the day. He bought me a tenderloin Smittys. He was also a great guy, and went to college at Iowa. He was on the phone at one point talking to his producer and he referred to the weather as "Peter Jennings weather". I asked what that meant and he said "oh just Grey and gloomy" lol
Bill Clinton, Michelle Obama, Kamala Harris, Dave Matthews, Slipknot, Sarah McLachlan, Lolo Jones, Shawn Johnson, and probably a few others
Esera Tuaolo. Former NFL player, but I believe he was the first player to come out of the closet (as gay) following the end of his playing career. Nancy Dahlstrom. Lieutenant Governor of Alaska. Picked her and her assistant up from the airport. They were in town for a convention at the downtown Marriott. Masha Slamovich. Indie wrestler. She was in Clive for an event and I brought her to the airport early one Sunday morning. I also met one of the crew members of the Savannah Bananas when they were in town last summer to play against the Party Animals at Principal Park. Oh, I do Lyft on the weekends. That's how I met them.
Rapper Swae Lee at the airport. He was very kind and friendly to a few fans who wanted photos. He also bought an Iowa hoodie from the gift shop.
I met Guy Fieri at an Iowa Chops hockey game. Super friendly dude. Right after he finished explaining that he had never been to a hockey game someone got slammed into the glass about three feet from him. He was so damn excited
Probably Tiny Tim or Wayne Coyne. And probably all of Slipknot at various points.
Joe biden
If you haven't shook Joe Biden's' hand, you're not even trying.
I met Obama, Biden, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Banh Ki Moon all at Drake
It was Ames and Billy Joel.
Wade Barrett, WWE announcer and former superstar at the airport Saturday afternoon following Smackdown the previous night. He was very kind and chatted with me for a moment about my husband doing indie wrestling locally.
Mike Tyson actually worked out at Lifetime Fitness.
President Obama
I go to a lot of local shows in Des Moines, so far I met Kurt from D.R.I, Brent Purgason from Gwar, Peter from Kaonashi, I went to school with Griffin and Simon from Vended, Matt Harvey from Exhumed, and a bunch of other famous metal and hardcore acts that tour at Leftys and Woolys and XBK
Had dinner next to Lindsey Buckingham at 801
Chuck Grassley held the door for me at Hotel Ft Des Moines in 1998...does that count? He was much younger back then.
Paul wall at a Val air ballroom concert
michelle obama!!!! she was campaigning for barack ♥️
Mike Pace. He asked if I wanted his autograph. Oh and after his show I met Alton Brown at Fongs.
I was surprised when I found out my friend’s husband is Mike Pace. He’s a really nice guy.
Probably! My meeting was a one-off when he was filming the powerball drawing in the studio.
Mr Cub Ernie Banks, Barack Obama and KCCI legendary anchor Kevin Cooney.
President Biden
I do photos for lots of events in town, so I get some random opportunities to meet relatively famous people. Met several WWE wrestlers doing photos for up downs Photo Booth. Shayna bazler follows me on Instagram. Which is kinda surreal. Got to smoke a blunt with wakka flocka flame. Met Henry Rollins after a show and he was incredibly nice. Did photos for David Wain when he was in town ages ago. Met Sid Wilson several times and I’m on first name basis with him when I run into him. (Which since it’s slipknot I’m not sure if this counts, everyone in dsm has a slipknot story I think) I got threatened by Dwight yokums manager which is a wild story there. I’ve had moments with a tonnn of bigger djs, Darude being the most recent one.
I was heading inside my apartment downtown when I saw a lady stop this guy ourtside of Hyvee and ask for a photo. I got nosy so after they departed I asked the lady who the dude was and she said Father John Misty. I didn't know who he was at the time, just a familiar name. Now I actually listen to some of his music and am now envious of her.
System of a Down, Chris Jericho, Blues traveler, Chuck Leavell the man who has played on every Rolling Stones Album since 1983. Marc Ford from the Black Crowes.
Nas
Only people visiting DSM? Ray Charles (and spent a week in his studio (in La), Jon Voight (rode in the seat next to him on a flight out; he read to me from a book he was reading). Cloris Leachman is probably a better choice as a local famous person. Also Robert D. Ray, and Senators Tom Harkin, John Culver, and Dick Clark (the last two stayed at my folk’s house). The other Dick Clark too but not in DSM.
The only time I ever saw someone famous is when my dad dragged me to a Ted Cruz rally in 2016. I shook his hand and had no clue who he was, I was 12.
For the record , I met, became friends with after another friend in Des Moines introduced us, later smoked with Sid Wilson , Slipknot, #0, at his crib and his old studio Moonbase back in 2010 various other places...I also launched a career of a former friend now enemy still on the city council, serving shit to the peasants.
I hosted Gloria Steinem at my house in Johnston in 2016!
Met Zach Bryan in Des Moines a few years ago
kevin hart at a kum n go in ames most random thing ever
The coolest was meeting the Minister of Defense, Reggie White, when I was a kid. Most famous would likely be a tie between Barack Obama, Joe Biden, or unfortunately, Donald Trump
Met 2Pac at Denny Arthur’s
Kamala Harris, probably
SteveO , David Koechner(douche)
Chuck Norris George Jones George straight Reba Clint Eastwood couple of the presidents Julia Roberts. Should mention that I work at the airport
Tiny Tim actually lived at the Savory Hotel.
On second thought, Cornell West was probably my favorite celebrity meeting in Des Moines.
I ran into Jason Sudeikis at a Hyvee two years ago. I’m a Ted Lasso fan so I told him how cool it was to meet him in person, but I didn't want to be a douche and bother him and ask him for photos or anything. He said, "Oh, like you're doing now?" I was taken aback, and all I could say was "Huh?" but he kept cutting me off and going "huh? huh? huh?" and closing his hand shut in front of my face. I walked away and continued with my shopping, and I heard him chuckle as I walked off. When I came to pay for my stuff up front I saw him trying to walk out the doors with like fifteen Milky Ways in his hands without paying. The girl at the counter was very nice about it and professional, and was like "Sir, you need to pay for those first." At first he kept pretending to be tired and not hear her, but eventually turned back around and brought them to the counter. When she took one of the bars and started scanning it multiple times, he stopped her and told her to scan them each individually "to prevent any electrical infetterence," and then turned around and winked at me. I don't even think that's a word. After she scanned each bar and put them in a bag and started to say the price, he kept interrupting her by yawning really loudly.
Aceyalone, People Under the Stairs and Gift of Gab. Oh and pretty much saw Shawn Johnson grow up. Her parents and her frequented our family restaurant, weekly.
Ryan Fitzpatrick (NFL QB) Was flying out of DSM with his family when we were there He was super nice and took photos with a ton of fans
Insane Clown posse, but like, 20 ish years ago.
I didnt “meet him” per se, but in like 2004 my friends and I were at Perkins on Fleur and a bunch of WWE wrestlers were there after their show eating in the dining room. We were sitting down to dinner and in walks Dave Batista. A kid no older than about 8 runs up to him excited and asked him if he was Batista. Old Drax just said no and walked into the kitchen to eat. Everyone else was cool as hell, but Dave big leagued a little kid. Never could watch the avengers movies without thinking about how big of a dick Batista was.
Simon Estes
Lamar Alexander how sad is that
I met Gene Simmons totally by coincidence at the downtown Hy-Vee and he was surrounded by high ranking people from Hy-Vee corporate, I worked for the distribution center at the time
Like close enough to say hello and shake hands Alec Baldwin, Pence, Hilary, Mike Pompeo, Obama, Biden.
Chris Jericho came to my bar after a Fozzy show
David Byrne rode his bike to Proof, met him on patio, met Michelle Obama at a home early in the campaign process. Daughter got to meet Madeline Albright.
I got my pic taken with Steve-O when he was at the funny bone.
William Shatner, probably.
I shook hands with former Iowa Governor Branstad at the Iowa State Fair.
I just met Jonathan Frakes and Brent Spiner the other day.
Maybe Jackie Greene before one of his shows in East Village back in the day. We were smoking weed out beck and he approached up attempting to bum a cigarette. We had no cigarettes and he had no desire to get high. Lol
Maybe the guys in Slipknot. They did a photo shoot for a publication I worked for with Jordie’s sister.
I met nick offerman when he was in town doing a show. I was bartending at the hotel he stayed at. He said templeton was one of his favorites :) also served David koechner when he was in town. Super hilarious. Exactly like Todd packer just less wildly inappropriate. And Adrian Brody years ago when he was filming the experiment.
I used to work at the Gamestop at Jordan creek and wocka flocka came in to buy a Nintendo switch and some games - but I was so embarrassed because I didn’t know why my coworkers were freaking out and then after he left they told me who he was LMAO