How weird was your weekend?

Last weekend at the HSR Classic 24 I ran into Brian and Brenda Johnson.

Music fans might recognize Brian as the lead singer for the band AC/DC. I have met them a few times and consider them casual friends. Anyway we ended up hanging out for a while, drinking some beers and talking.

A few days later I sent Brian an email, thanking him for a good time and offering to help with his charity, Highway To Help, which is searching for a cure for Alzheimer's. As my dad succumbed to this miserable disease, it is a cause that is near and dear to me.

On Thursday, I get a call inviting me to a charity gala in Chattanooga the next night. While flattered, there is no way I am going to jump in a car and drive 11 hours with less than a day's notice to Chattanooga. Plus, it was my first weekend off, and I was heading to a swap meet.

Then I get an email, that explains that a private jet is picking the evening's speaker, Brian Redman up in nearby Vero Beach, and that if I could be at the Vero Beach airport at 11:30am, they would love to take me along and host me for the weekend. They needed to make one stop in Sarasota to pick up Brian and Brenda Johnson and then we would be off to Chattanooga.

I was pretty blown away. I ran the idea by Margie and she told me I would be an idiot if I didn't go. So, I went.

When Brian Johnson got on the flight, he said, “well, we have a cooler full of wine behind us and a cooler full of beer in front of us, so it looks like it is going to be a good flight mates!”

We had a blast. I can't repeat the stories here, but catch me at the Mitty or at the Rolex 24 and I will tell you some of them. Suffice it to say, that rock stars, even at 67 years old, can party.

They are also super nice, down to earth people. Brian Johnson reminds me a lot of my departed dad, a bit rough around the edges, but a true sweet heart. Brian Redman, who I have gotten to know quite well, was always the gentleman, and while perhaps put off a bit by Johnson's propensity to drop the F-bomb, did a masterful job of speaking. The two of us had breakfast the next morning.

They ended up raising nearly $200,000 for Alzheimer's research and as we learned from one of the top neurologists in the world, they are closing in on this dreadful disease.

You will be hearing more about this, as I promised we would use some of our reach to help with this fight.

...and you used to wonder if starting that little autocrossing rag 30 years ago would pay off.

Yes, things have gone a bit weird.

Tim Suddard wrote: I ran the idea by Margie and she told me I would be an idiot if I didn't go.

Proverbs 31:10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

Kudos Tim, hope it was as much fun as it sounds.

That's amazing Tim! Thank you.

I am very blessed. To have one experience like this in a lifetime would be amazing. This sort of stuff seems to be happening more and more often.

I just wish I had the time to say yes more often. It is also real easy to forget that you are not of that world. Thankfully, Margie is very good at reminding me and keeping me grounded.

AC/DC goes on tour starting in the spring, and I was offered front row tickets and backstage pass access. I will definitely be doing that. I think we will auction or raffle off (for Alzheimer's) a couple of the tickets.

For those about to Rock; we salute you.......

Every time I hear anything from or about that guy, it strikes me that he seems like a really good dude. IIRC he can drive a bit too

That's epic.

Did you ask him wtf was up with Rudd? Or how Malcolm is doing?

Got news for you, you are now of that world. Just don't think Margie would let you live if you tried to leave her for a Kardashian.

He's probably one of the few famous people I would like to meed one day. Sounds like one of those weekends you won't forget for a long long time. Very cool!

Tim Suddard wrote: Yes, things have gone a bit weird.

Weird is good, normal sucks.

I have always been indifferent to AC/DC, but would love the opportunity to hang for a bit with Brian. He has always come-across as just a damn cool person.

That's marvelous. I agree you made the correct choice. Met Brian Johnson at the Mitty several years ago. Very much in passing and he was exactly as advertised, down to earth car guy and at least that weekend nothing more. Class act in my opinion.

I'm glad that the event raised money, that in itself would've been enough.

But, to be on a plane between two polar opposite car guys and enjoying every minute is just icing.

Basil said that I am of that world. If so, why was I doing yard work today, instead of banging porn stars?

Malcolm is not doing well. He is in the middle of his fight with Alzheimer's, Brian Johnson told me he hangs out and listens to music most days. He can no longer play a lick, and he was one of the best guitarists ever.

Brian was willing to talk about most everything from religion, to how rude fans can be (really, really funny story there, but way to crude for a public forum), but he didn't want to talk about Rudd.

Brian Johnson strikes me as a guy that I could share a beer with. He's a rock star while not being a ROCK STAR. I like him more already.

Appleseed. He is actually more of a wine drinker, but whatever you are drinking, be prepared to have more than one. This guy can party.

Man, I thought I was having a pretty good weekend.

I scored a great deal on a GC8 2.5RS this weekend & the guy even delivered it to my house.

I think your weekend was still better than mine.

I figured that was how everyday went in the lavish life of a magazine publisher.

i paid $100 for a set of 17X7 Konig wheels in good shape for the Neon..

your weekend was better.

Video

What a great weekend, beats what I did! Thanks for sharing this Tim.

There was a local news story about this event, see anyone you recognize in the background of the video??

cemlike2, thanks for sharing the video. That is me in the background.