letter of apology (and admiration) to Adrian Belew

Dearest Adrian,

You must have looked at me the other night thinking, "Who is this guy. Doesn't he know who I am?" I am sorry if it seems that I blew you off when I shook your hand and then walked away. I got washed away in my own "self" that night and forgot that I was in the presence of someone extremely special to me. Someone that has done something that has stuck with me for more than half of my lifetime. You are Adrian Belew and not only do I love all of the music you have made, I love what you are and where you have come from. I love the people you know and what they have done and become. If people ask me to name writers that have influenced my life I'll give different answers from year to year. When asked what music I love, what music has changed my life, what music makes me feel alive, for 30 years straight I have said KING CRIMSON.

And you Mr. Belew are the very first representative of KC that I have ever had the holy honor of being so close to in these past 30 years. So basically, if I had been more present in that moment with you I would have expressed with the love in my heart thanks to you for what you have done with your life. Thanks Adrian for being true to yourself and living your art. Thanks for taking care of your health so that you have lived this long and are still able to come out and entertain us like you have on this tour. I'm so glad that fate changed the course of my life the way it did Wednesday last week when I submitted answers to Slim's Trivia Contest and WON free tickets to see you Thursday night. I wouldn't have been able to come otherwise.

So that is it for now. I just had to get this off my chest. I didn't want you to feel slighted. I really was overjoyed to get to see and hear you perform; twice!

With sincerest hopes that we'll meet again,
Daryl (Darko) Barnett