My meeting with Robin in Dubai

In which a fan tells about her meeting with Robin and Dwina Gibb: a dream came true.
"I have lived my dream of 31 years and met the brilliant Mr. & Mrs. Gibb! and the band!"

Story by: Lori Carson.
Photo copyright: Lori Carson unless mentioned otherwise.
Posted on GSI with permission of Lori.

Special Report: Lori Carson

Hung up phone with concert buddy (who is also my neighbor), with plans to meet at two to decorate my car and head to Dubai. We'd planned it for three months. She sounded chipper and stoked. We exchanged happy rock-ons and said see ya on R-Day! My head hit the pillow with a happy thunk. I was stoked out of my mind for the next day, but also quite nervous! Somehow, I slept thru the night. Most likely because Robin graced my dreams, and who wants to wake up from that?! Eyes open at 8 am. I could feel the adrenaline coursing thru my veins before my feet even touched the floor. This was it! It was now or never. Would I truly meet my hero, or would I be left in a crumpled mess, miserable in the middle of the desert? I eat, I shower, I double-check all last minute items, and I pray. God don't let me act like an idiot. Don't let me get lost, let my dream come true! Phone gets text message at 11:30, just 2.5 hours before heading to heaven. It's my neighbor's daughter, saying her Mom can't come with me because she's going to the hospital for dizziness. I call immediately and there's no answer. I call again, and the phone is switched off. The thought of going alone was even more nerve-wracking, would it deter me? Hell no. I wished my neighbor good health and hung up. Nothing I could do for her now! Kiss the kids and run to the car with a pounding heart. Drive away from the house to find a safe spot to decorate my car. Decorate car in between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, but only about 1/2 of what I'd planned. I was late, had no help, it was windy, and some of my supplies had issues. But no matter, I was gettin' this show on the road!

Beat some serious cheeks to Dubai, am pretty sure I got more than one ticket via photo but find myself directly in Dubai Media City. While congratulating myself on being so smooth as to not get lost, I don't notice that instead of going to the parking, I go straight out onto the freeway again. This is very bad because there's no way to turn around for a LONG time and I have no Salik toll sticker on my car. That's probably another fee. Well that's just another thing for the hubby to have issues about. I bloody told him to get me a sticker! Panic. I don't know where the heck I am and it's getting late. By pure will alone, I meander my way back the right way, get Rania on the phone and find the car park. I am now OFFICIALLY in the same area as number one. In fact, it's highly likely that he can see me walking while I can't see him. Get to the gate and the security tell me no signs and no gifts. Pardon? I don't think so! I go in, find Rania, and have a heifer on the spot. She pulls me some strings and the signs get in. Gifts come later, but are unfortunately held (to this day!) by security. Rania is working on getting them back so I can mail them to the UK. Love security. I know I'm a psycho and all, but I'm not that kind of a psycho. Nerves were getting the better of me! Rania said it was lookin' good, but I'd have to haul some serious cheeks to the security gate next to the stage after the concert and call her to come retrieve me because Robin was leaving immediately after the concert. She also says I better go save my front seat several hours early. So, off I went.

I'm sitting smack dab front row center, thinking OMG, in only a few hours, I will see Robin Gibb right before my eyes. Am I dreaming? The whole thing seemed like an out of body experience, it still does! I notice a woman near me eyeing me like WTF is your story? But I was over all that by then so I just looked at her and said, "Hey, are you freezing?" She was. I don't know what the deal was, but it got right windy and dare I saw slightly cold?! As the sun set, and winter weather took over (how could it, I'd been hoping for HEAT because well LOL) the one who once gave me an odd look warmed up to me. It turns out we had quite a bit in common. While she's crazy for Barry, she also totally adores Robin. So we had a jolly time comparing who was the bigger stalker and so on and so forth. LOL Farideh came from Iran and she rocked my socks! You will see photos of her in my album if the flippin' thing ever finishes loading! LOL She informs me that she's saving two seats for a couple from Zimbabwe who are also huge fans. Couple shows up while Farideh and I are hysterical over this 'n that. I find the couple to be just lovely and absolute great fun. What are the chances? I fin d hearts like mine RIGHT NEXT TO ME. They're more fun than the ditcher ever would have been and the three of us share fries and laughs until the act before Robin comes on. They were good, but I just wasn't into it. Touch base with Rania, she says all systems go, but I must come alone. I had hoped I could bring my new friends, but alas, rules are strict. But no matter, I was there! She says hurry back to my seat because she just saw Robin and he was coming (a little EARLY)!

Robin during the concert

Back in my seat I just know Robin's hiding in the shadows of the stage, watching us have the time of our lives, so I deliberately stare into that space and give the thumbs up and smile. Don't mess with me Gibbzy, I've got contacts! I decide we need to raz him a little so I convince my new buddies and everyone else (everyone I met was BRILLIANT all night!) I could shout to that we need to coax the legend out of the shadows. So I start screaming, "ROBIN! ROBIN! ROBIN!" And the front part of the crowd joins in. THE BAND COMES ON! The announcer starts to introduce number one, but before he could finish, THERE HE WAS, looking RIGHT at me! Only a few feet away! There are no words for this moment. Really. But you can just picture the clouds parting and the Hallelujah chorus blasting away, because it was ON! I give him the thumbs up and stand up and scream my heart out, literally jumping up and down like a kid in a candy store. He rewards me with my favorite Gibby grin and a returned thumbs up! I decide I need no more encouragement so right in those split seconds before the song begins, when it's just quiet enough to go for it, I scream, "I LOVE YOU ROBIN!!!!!!!!!!!!" And it echoed all over the UAE. So he looks RIGHT AT ME AGAIN. And he says, "Thank you, I really needed that!" Ahhhhhhhhhhh yeah!!!!

He begins with the song EMOTION. Could it not be more perfect? That voice, that smile, right in my grasp. It was like angels singing. It was ELECTRIC! We all stand up, grin sweetly at security to get away with being annoying, and sway back and forth with the 5 signs that I brought! Robin LOVED the signs! He pointed and grinned while shaking his head as if to say, "You guys are nuts, but I love it!" I lost track of how many thumbs up we got! Between every song, you bet he heard me, and as soon as he looked directly at me, I BLEW HIM A KISS! AND TWICE, HE RETURNED IT AND SMILED! Followed by a wink and more thumbs up SWOON! My camera is slightly annoying, causing me to curse during a taping but I think you only hear it if you know it's there. But I don't realize until later that I was singing like a fool thru most of the concert and while it didn't seem loud, the camera managed to get it! Those around us saw how happy I was to see Robin and were totally egging me on. It was brilliant! Even security chuckled, and multiple people approached me and said, "It's been a pleasure watching you, and I have never seen a bigger Bee Gees fan!" Meanwhile the cameras are EVERYWHERE and they're capturing the signs LOL!!! Robin sings several of my most favorite songs, including the original song that brought tears to my eyes and thus began a new life for me. It was I Started a Joke and I had to force myself to look away because the cameras were still on me and I wasn't having the best control anymore. I can't even listen to it in my house without issues....but watching and hearing THE MAN HIMSELF was just too much. I am overwhelmed!

My song comes on! You know it from the video lol, YOU SHOULD BE DANCING! And in true lover of Gibbs fashion, I pawn off my constant sign-holding to nearby cool people and go to town! This was MY DAY, and I was GOING ALL OUT! Robin finishes with Stayin' Alive, but that won't do, the fans want more! So we start up the, "ROBIN! ROBIN! ROBIN!" again and there he is! He's out for an encore! He sings TRAGEDY, during which the blowing of kisses is again directed at the swooner in the first row! Then he thanks Dubai, gives the thumbs, and runs off the stage. But no, I will have none of that! And AGAIN we persuade him out for more swooning. Robin, always wonderful, was in full glory. It was pure euphoria! But it wasn't over yet! The best was yet to come! I sadly say goodbye to my new friends and thank them, but not without exchanging info. To share a Robin experience bonds for life. I then run faster than I've ever run in my life to the security gate beside the stage. This was it. Only minutes separated me from my hero. I'm standing with Rania, and she's pumping me up. The door opens. Somehow, I am the first one he sees, and I get that famous Gibb smile. I am about to pass out on the spot. I've not eaten in about 15 hours I'm exhausted, and my nerves are shot. They send him back inside and tell him that they'll send the fans to him. So guess who gets to go first? Yours truly, thank you very much! I walk in and lay eyes on Mr. & Mrs. Gibb, smiles all around. At this point it is pure adrenaline and force of will holding me up. Robin holds out his hand and says hello. I take it and instantly, all is right with the world.

Robin and Dwina

BRR I said, "I'm Lori." And he pulled me beside him. At this point, nuclear war could be waged, and I don't think I'd be any wiser. He asks if I'd like a photo and well we all know what my answer was. He puts his arm around me, so I feel free to do the same. He tells the photographer to take one with MY camera too. He asks me how I'm doing and how long I've lived here and where I'm originally from. I ask him if I can give him a hug and he says sure. I have not a clue where I found the courage to ask for that one from, but hey gotta hug Robin. This was no doing-my-celebrity-duty hug....this was a HUG! So I have to share a little. There were some really cool kids there that are huge Robin fans, and a few other people. Was I done? Heck no. I'm still absolutely out of my skull, but I cross over to where Dwina is and introduce myself. She is the nicest woman ever. I loved her instantly, and thus, felt free to ask her if I could give her a hug. Which I did, a big one, and a kiss on the cheek. She makes me feel at ease. A million things are going thru my mind. Dwina looks great and we have a lovely chat. I ask her how she likes Dubai and she says it's very cosmopolitan, but they haven't seen much as they arrived late and will leave again only in a few hours. She asks me about Oregon and do I get to go home often and I tell her I try for every summer but it's 30 hours and $$$ so I don't get to go as much as I like.

I told her I was so happy that she came. She asks about my family. I tell her. I tell her I had gifts for her and Robin, but security felt bloody free. And I'm sorry about that. And she says no worries, but thank you anyway. Then I realize that in that same bag I had stashed my items for autographing and I had nothing on me! That turns out to be a blessing in disguise. As I watch fans having their shirts signed, Dwina says with a grin, "Oh we'll just send you some, give me your address." Robin looks at me and I tell him that today is the best day of my life. I know that's totally crazy nutty fan talk, but I meant it with every ounce of my being! He says, "Thank you Lori." Ahhhhhh to hear my name from his lips! Then I ask him if I can have one more hug, to which he opens his arms. I get one more HUGE hug, and wish that by some miracle, time would just freeze right there. I thanked him and told him THE FORUM ROCKS! He flashed that Gibby smile that I love and helped me out and down the steps, holding the door for me and telling me to "take care" not to trip on my long dress. He says hello to a few people on the way to the waiting car. I give Dwina another big hug and kiss and they get in the car. While overcome with happiness, I also realize that I am about to wake up from my dream. I find Rania and tell her that eventually the day will catch up with me. She's sweet and kind, and keeps me together. I think wtf am I doing, I should be waving goodbye and snapping more pics! So I go to his window and he rolls it down and thanks me! No, love, the thanks are all yours! He is quite the smiler and I was completely charmed.

They both wave at me and say see you soon! I hope so!!! Shortly after this, I spent about an hour chatting with the band! How nice they all are! I spoke the most to Amalia and she was very sweet. I also told Errol that Pleas e ROCKS and got a hug.

By this time, my perfect day has carried on for about 24 hours and I'm still two hours from home! So Rania gives me a golf cart ride thru Dubai Media City at 2am to the car park, all the while we're singing YOU SHOULD BE DANCING at the top of our lungs. It was FANTASTIC!!! I got in my car and screamed with what little was left of my voice LOL for about 3 minutes. Then I tuned into the brothers and headed home, with the biggest smile of my life! I remember that Robin began with Emotion and I'm pretty sure Staying Alive was the final song (twice since it was an encore). In between he sang More Than a Woman, You Win Again, Words, Holiday, Gotta Get a Message To You, Tragedy, I Started A Joke, Jive Talking, You Should Be Dancing, Night Fever, Nights on Broadway, Massachusetts, To Love Somebody, Saved by the Bell, How Deep is Your Love, How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, and NY Mining Disaster 1941. I think I got them all LOL. IT WAS BRILLIANT!!!!

left:Robin with fan Lori right: Robin after the concert

I forgot to mention I said, "Robin, I have just one question for you." And he said, "And what's that?" I said, "Do you remember me?" He said, "From?". And I said from the video! LOL He thought for a minute and said hmmm video.....so I said you know, on You Tube, from the "film yourself dancing to the Bee Gees contest"....and Dwina laughed! It seems she'd seen it also LOL! They both remembered and I said well I'm wearing the exact same outfit right now on purpose. It was awesome!

There will not be a DVD. Chill out Productions had their own filming crew there, but they were filming other acts and only bits and pieces.

As for the tears, I managed not to be a fool in front of the Gibbs (at least not by crying lol), but that doesn't mean they weren't there. I had a good breakdown on Rania's shoulder at the end of the night, and even now whenever I remember everything, my eyes start swimming. How could they not? To realize a dream I've held for a lifetime, and to have the reality of that dream be EVEN BETTER than the dream itself....WOW. I could meet any other celebrity in the world and be like yeah, that's great....and be done with it. But I ADORE THE GIBBS and that's all there is to it.

Thank you with all my heart to Robin & Dwina.
Lori.

Click here for link to album with photos and video material