In 2007, Neil & The Chrome Dreams Band were doing the Chrome Dreams Continental Tour in the U.S. and Canada. I caught two of the shows, in Portland on October 22 and Seattle the next night. Neil was on fire, and I saw he was going to tour up in Canada in 2009. I asked my daughter and my wife if they would like to come with me, as I needed more! The three of us took the drive up to Kelowna for the show on April 22, 2009. I thought we should stay at the nearest resort hotel closest to the venue. I think it was the Lake Okanagen Resort. So I booked 2 nights there. I got a GA Floor ticket for myself.
The morning of the show I went to the gym in the hotel to do a workout and while I was in the gym I saw a guy that I thought might be with Neil. I didn’t say anything to him, as I respected his time in the gym. Once I was done and waiting to get on the elevator back to our room, the same guy got on the elevator with me. I just had to ask…”Say, by any chance are you with the band?” He answered, “Why yes, I’m Neil’s road manager”. I was right! So I said, “That’s awesome! Neil is my absolute favorite!” He said “Thanks, we appreciate it”. He got off the elevator. I got in my room and took a shower and afterwards the phone rang… it was my wife and daughter, saying, “You better get down here as Neil is in the pool!” I had brought a long-sleeved Chrome Dreams t-shirt and a sharpie just in case I was able to get an autograph from Neil. So I raced down to the pool area and swung by the concierge desk and grabbed a towel. There were patio chairs and tables on the inside part of the pool, as you could swim inside, or outside depending on the weather. As I’m sitting there in a casual, nonchalant manner, Neil comes swimming back to the inside part. I then, with a shakey voice, say to Neil… “Hey Neil…(he looks at me with squinty eyes as if to say, do I know you?) Any chance I can get your autograph? He says, right now? I say, sure…I brought you a towel to dry your hands.” So he swims over to the side of the pool, dries his hands, and signs my shirt!! I was so dumbfounded I could barely speak, as I had so much to say to him about all the years I have been a fan. I thanked him and he swam away.
Another special moment was when my daughter and wife returned to the room they had the pleasure of riding the elevator with Frank Sampedro aka PONCHO!
Later on that afternoon, I went over to get in line early so I could get a rail spot at the stage and so I told my story to a few of the people in line and I could tell they were quite jealous of my interaction with our Neil I did get a spot front and center and had the most amazing experience!!
Peter Mellinger at Frankie’s Tiki Room, Las Vegas, Nevada, May 2025.
Peter Mellinger’s shirt signed by Neil at the pool.
Closeup of Neil’s autograph on Peter Mellinger’s shirt.