My review from a wonderful evening with Roger Hodgson playing at Retropop in Emmen, Holland

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Hans (my husband) and I woke up in the early morning in our Hotel in Emmen because we already arrived on friday. We were looking forward to see Roger and his band playing that evening live at Retropop.

I was double excited that day, because earlier that week I send an e-mail to Linda Tyler if Roger would maybe like to sign the painting that I had made from him. And than on Thursday evening I received a message from Linda that we could meet him and that he would sign my painting. When I told my husband he said immediately: you are not going to sleep tonight! Well I did not sleep for two nights!! I was so happy that my dream came true! Thank you so much Linda and Shakti for your support in this!!!

About 13.00 we rented two bikes and off we went to Retropop. It started to rain a little but fortunately it was the only rain I’ve seen for the rest of the day. But it was very cold that day! We arrived at the venue and we of course there was more wonderful music but to us Roger was the sensation of the day. Just before his performance started, we received our backstage passes and we started watching the show which was fantastic again. This was my second time to see Roger and his band live and I can hardly wait for the third time!! Amazing! Every time I hear him singing, it gives me the shivers from my head to my toes. But that’s because his music comes from the heart!!

5 minutes before the show ended we went backstage. There we had to wait for seeing Roger. Shakti came to us and than we went to his private room. And suddenly there was Roger, with a warm smile and saying hello to us. He is  such a generous and loving man and he was really taking some time for me and my husband. He gave us the feeling that we were really welcome by paying so much attention to us!! I was really nervous. After we had shaken hands and introduced our selves he asked me which song was my favourite. Normally I would have given immediately the answer. But somehow I could not think clearly at that moment. Hans, my husband, mentioned to Roger: the meaning, and Two of us but that was not the song that I meant. (now free of nerves I remember that it was: The more I look). Roger was very patience and friendly so after that I felt more comfortable and I could relax and enjoy the fantastic moment. He told me that he liked the painting and that it was looking good. Of course I was very happy and proud of that compliment! Than he signed my painting and we made some nice pictures of that. Hans made a couple of pictures of Roger, me and the painting. Shakti took the last picture from the three of us. Finally we talked about visiting the coming show in Luxemburg and that our son and his girlfriend would come together with us, and that they liked his music too. Than it was time for us to go and we thanked Roger for being so nice to invite us and for signing the painting. We kissed and said goodbey. And I knew: this will be the third night without much sleep! But I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!! Thank you Roger, for not giving a little bit but for giving a lot. You are a very special person which has a special place in our hearts. We will never forget this very special but also emotional evening!

Hope to see you soon in Luxemburg,

Love, Selma and Hans