Hi Everybody - I've been a massive Chris Rea fan now for nearly 30 years, and been to countless concerts. I have all his videos, albums and singles etc, I can say without doubt, I've spent a fortune on the guy.
However, nothing could have prepared me for what I witnessed at Chris's gig at The Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool a couple of weeks ago. I had been really ill for a long time and had not been over the door in years, as I suffer with accute agoraphobia and severe panic attacks. My wife bought the tickets in the hope that I would go as I love Chris and his music, and seen him several times over the years.
It worked and I got to go, and after the show was over, my wife took me to the stage door to get my picture taken with him. We and about 10 others waited in the rain and cold for Chris to come out. When he finally emerged, Chris seemed very agitated and angry, and even shouted at the man in front of Bob because he was going to slow, it was obvious to all that the man had some learning difficulties This got me all stressed out and brought on a severe anxiety attack, which took us a while to get home.
After he finished shouting at the man in front of me, Chris just looked me up and down like something he had just tread in, walked away muttering and left me stood there on my own, I felt so sorry for the guy that Chris shouted at, and it left me so very angry. Is this any way to treat anybody who has spent loads of money over the years on Chris's cd's and concerts!!! .......In fact is this anyway to treat ANYBODY !!
I am still very upset at Chris's behaviour, and I have swore never again. Chris undone all my wife's hard work to get me out of the house,, but Chris ruined it all in seconds. The sad thing is, I still went the last mile with Chris by defending him for his behaviour to the poor man he shouted at, saying something may have happened in his personal life - now that is what you call a fan !! Chris Rea never uttered a nice word on stage all night, but when I FINALLY did hear him speak, outside !! - I found him to be rude and his behaviour disgusting !!
To make matters worse, my wife wrote to his media company, who denied all knowledge of even working for Chris Rea, then when we got passed that, they offered to pass on our telephone number to his manager, but that took about 10 emails. When John Knowles finally rang about a week later, all he said was, well Chris is normally a lovely fella, but he does gert angry sometimes with his fans outside, but all I can do he said is to apologise. Why should he say sorry for Chris Rea, John never done nothing, but at least he was kind enough to ring us. Will I ever buy any other Chris Rea merchandise or go see him in concert again......I sadly very much doubt it. I know quite a few media people who would love this story, I'll have to think about that one. I'm really saddened to have had to post this at all, I felt the need to warn other fans who may think of trying to meet him at the stage door. I personally know some massive big names in the uk, and I am proud to call the freinds. None of them have ever treated their fans like I was treated.