I Can’t believe I met The Osmonds at last – Wembley Arena 31st May 2008

New Fan Experience from Susan McFarlane who attended The Osmonds 50th Anniversary Wembley Arena 31st May 2008 Concert and VIP Meet and Greet.  Over to you Susan:

“This was my first meeting with the Osmonds personally and I was not disappointed.  I had prayed for this moment for 36 years, but nothing had prepared me for how I would actually feel on meeting them.  My eyes are filling up now just thinking about it! Bearing in mind, I did not have much time to prepare myself with a week’s notice!

I went down to London from Edinburgh on Friday night by train with my sister in tow (poor thing but as she had endured my Osmondmania for all these years, she was as well being part of the whole experience as I know she understands!)  We got up early, ate a HUGE breakfast and wandered into town.  (We wanted this to be an unforgettable experience so we booked into a really good hotel in town so we could take advantage of the pool, sauna etc to prepare us for the BIG EVENT in the afternoon!)  After a glass of champagne to steady my nerves in Selfridges,  we just took our time and started to make our way.  Saturday was a lovely day and it was extremely hot! As if I was not hot enough already!

According to the information we received, it stated the registration point was opposite the box office.  As there was nothing opposite the box office, we went there to enquire.  The staff are used to being asked this so directed us to a few doors BESIDE the box office.  This should be clarified for further events and also a note on the door would have been helpful too.  We seemed to be kept waiting FOREVER.  I am sure this was nothing to do with the Osmonds themselves.  Just the Wembley staff being officious.  They did not seem to communicate very well between themselves and kept changing their minds about which door we would be going through, which was not very fair to those of us who had waited for ages, compared to those who turned up late and kept us waiting even longer.  I certainly did not feel like a VIP!

Eventually a door opened and we waited patiently in a line to meet each of the Osmonds in turn. My sister and I let everyone else jostle for position as it wasn’t a case of first come first served so we were near the end of the line.  It was well worth the wait.  I had to laugh because one girl turned to me and asked who was who again?  I bit my tongue and politely reminded her.  (Call yourself a fan is what I wanted to say but of course I didn’t). I needed a few minutes to compose myself and to try to decide what to say but seeing them from a distance set me off.  I was biting my lip so hard, I was afraid I was going to pierce it.  A huge wave of emotion overtook me and I fought valiantly to keep the tears back.  I felt so overwhelmed I thought I was going to make a fool of myself and end up on the floor.  I took a few deep breaths and eventually I got to the first in line who was Jimmy.

He was absolutely wonderful.  I told him I had kissed him on his 17th birthday and without hesitation he said that was in Edinburgh!  I couldn’t believe it.  The fact he could remember where he was at 17 was just mind boggling.  He didn’t just say Scotland – he said Edinburgh!  Wow.  That was impressive.  He also allowed me to kiss him again.  I did not want to assume anything.  Merrill was so lovely to me that I just burst into tears.  He seemed very touched that I was emotional.  We gave each other a huge hug.  I could not say very much but I think he got the message that I am still crazy about them all and have been since 1972.  I apologised to Jay and Wayne for my tears and told them that it was just because I was so happy to meet them at last which was so true.  They are so naturally lovely with no airs and graces and extremely genuine just as you described Sue!  When I got to Donny, I thought I was going to lose the plot completely! Although I was still crying, I had calmed down a little.  Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t hysterical and wailing!  Just very tearful.  I apologised to Donny and told him they were only tears of joy as I had waited 36 years for this moment.  He smiled and said “What took you so long?” I remember taking both his hands and telling him it was wonderful to meet him at last and he said it was wonderful to meet me too.  I had so many things I wanted to say to him and thank him for but I couldn’t say another word.  I was just so shocked and emotional.  My sister did a really good job though.  I wish now I had sent her first to prepare the way for me ha ha!  She joked with Donny about having to suffer a purple bedroom and his face all over the walls.  He offered to pay for therapy for her and he was so sweet.

Seeing Alan was also an emotional experience.  He has always been my mother’s favourite.  I told him it was wonderful to see him and he said it was a miracle he was here which it is and I told him so.

Once that was all over, I felt a lot calmer and we sat through the sound check which was lovely.  They were all so relaxed and laughed and joked their way through it.  It was disappointing Marie wasn’t there but they have such a punishing schedule on this tour, I am sure we can forgive her for having an hour or two off!  After it was all over, we had to say our goodbyes which was very sad but I knew we had the concert in the evening to look forward to which cheered me up as I had seen it the week before in Glasgow so I knew we were in for a good night.  As they were saying goodbye, Merrill looked at me and said “Thank you for your emotion.  It means a lot”.  I am afraid he set my tears off again.  It was just such a lovely thing to say.  He had said to my sister earlier that we had all grown up together, meaning them and we the fans.

We all left and as we did not have time to return to our hotel, we found a local bar/restaurant to have a quick bite to eat.  The time had gone so quickly.  There were a few Osmond fans in there already.  We met a lovely bunch of ladies from Kent who were a great laugh.  After our meal, we headed back to the arena, proudly displaying our “We met the Osmonds” badges.

The atmosphere at Wembley was just amazing. It was electric! We had great seats- about 11 rows from the front and right in the middle.  Just as happened in Glasgow, everyone stood for the entire show. I laughed, sang and cried through the whole thing.  Marie got a shock when she discovered the man she picked on to come and join her on stage could actually sing really well.  She was really enjoying herself.

Anyway, I realise I have just written a book when I had only intended a few lines.  Sorry!

My first experience of meeting the Osmonds was overwhelming but so, so worth it.  You notice I say first experience!  My plan now is to save up and to visit them in the States sometime.  I am assuming Donny will still make his yearly visit to us too so I have that to look forward to.

The VIP package was disappointing however.  I certainly did not feel like a VIP.  I would have preferred there to be less people there, so we could have spent more quality time with the Osmonds themselves.  Also, the information letter I had received stated that we could take photos when we met them which was not the case.  This will need to be amended as it was extremely disappointing.  We did not have any mingle time but again it was because there were too many of us there. I was not given any information about the VIP lounge and there did not seem to be anyone in attendance as was also stated on the letter.  I would not fault the Osmonds themselves for ANYTHING.  They are all very gracious, lovely, down to earth, kind and special people.

Now that my lifelong ambition of meeting the Osmonds has been fulfilled, it feels really strange.  What shall I spend the rest of my life longing for now I wonder?  The only thing I can do at the moment is to work out a way of meeting them again and with maybe some help from the rest of you, I can fulfil that ambition too but maybe not have to wait another 36 years to do so!

Susan McFarlane, Edinburgh
Still in a daze.  I CAN’T BELIEVE I MET THE OSMONDS AT LAST!!!!!!”

Admin Notes:

From emails I have received and accounts I have posted from others (plus my own experience of “Live Nation” Osmonds VIP experience packages), I think it might be useful to have another topic soon covering our thoughts on them as it can be seen, not many were entirely happy, let me know in the comment section if you would like to see this subject covered.