Sandy and i made a pact to go again...

Wednesday 15th of February 1995.

Sandy and i decided to leave school at lunchtime and go and relive the Janet experience. We reached the venue at 3:30pm just in time to see the dancers arrive. Everyone we met on the Friday was there. Today was Janet's last show in Sydney before she went to Melbourne. I had to meet her, my only chance was to get on that stage. Hanging out before the show you meet so many great people. Arzu, Karen, Sharon and Sam. They are huge Janet fans. We still catch up now and then. Aspiring Singers and Dancers mingle with each other Hooking up for contacts and future projects. Here i was just a 16 yr old with stars in my eyes and only a few dreams to hold on to and i was amongst all these interesting people. It was a real eye opener for me. The only bad thing about the situation was that Sandy and i had no tickets for the show. 5pm Rene comes out to say hello to all the people he has come to know over the past week. Tickets are exchanged and i explain to Rene how far we had traveled and how much we loved Janet and how long we had been fans. He then pressed 2 tickets into my hand and said "have fun". Sandy and i screamed. "ShowTime" Kulcha warmed us up ready for "Miss Jackson". The lights dimmed, the crowd screamed. Janet and the dancers took their positions........"LIGHTS UP"

Janet had everybody screaming, dancing and singing. The show was absolutely brilliant. I was waiting for the time when i was to meet Miss Jackson. I was on edge all night nervous for the fact that i might not get picked. Janet threw her towel she used in "Lets wait awhile" into the crowd.

I caught one end and a girl caught the other.We pulled at it but i could see in her eyes that she really wanted it. I did what i never thought i would never do, i let go of the towel. The girl cried and said "Thankyou, that was really nice of you". I felt sort of ...happy. The dancing in the show was fantastic. Tina Landon is such a wonderful choreographer.

The time had come...the dancers cleared the stage. Janet lingered at the back of the stage. Tina, Shawnette and Tish walked around looking for a guy to pick out of the crowd. Shawnette remembered me from the outside the entertainment center and she winked at me. I said to sandy "hold my camera...im going up" she looked at me and said "Yeah, right". Shawnette walked over to where i was and said..."You". I screamed. Two security guards helped me on to the stage. Tina, Tish and Shawnette introduced themselves and sat me down on the chair in the middle of the stage. Janet was sitting on the steps watching. She then told them to go and they did. Janet walked over slowly and stood behind me. I turned my head to look at her and she put her hands on my head and it back towards the audience....i just went hysterical.

I was telling her how much i loved her and how much her music has inspired me, i just kept screaming. she was laughing allot and had to start the song over again. Then she sang "In the thundering rain" and i just melted. I couldnt believe this was happening. I looked down at sandy and she was just shaking her head, she couldn't believe it. Janet then said "Do you mind if i sit down" and i just.....screamed.

She then sat down on my lap and i kept saying "Oh my god" which was coming out over the microphone, the whole entertainment center was laughing and cheering me on. Janet looked at me and smiled. I said "I love you" she smiled and stroked my cheek and said "Thankyou, i love you too" and you guessed it i....screamed. she laughed and stood up and said "Do you wanna dance with me"

We stood up and started slow dancing over to the other side of the stage. I knew this is when it all comes to an end but i just kept dancing and enjoyed my last few seconds with my idol. I felt her bodyguard tap me on the shoulder and said "Times up" and i thought "Oh shit". I turned and said "goodbye" Janet smiled and said "Bye" i didn't take my eyes off her. I was taken off the stage where Rene Elizondo congratulated me and he helped me back to my seat. He came back and handed me those photos of me and Janet together on stage. Unfortunately my camera ran out of film just before i went on stage. I watched the rest of the show and when the dancers were leaving the stage for the last time i yelled out to Shawnette. she ran over and grabbed my hand and i said "Thankyou" she smiled and said " Bye".

After the show sandy and i went out the back to watch janet leave. Rene came over and said "Do you want me to get Janet to sign your photos". He took them and Janet signed them. After a lot of screaming and shouting and crying Janet got into her car and drove away...

I was an instant celebrity. People were having their photographs taken with me and running up behind me and touching me and running away...it was really bizarre.

Since her first tour Janet has been back to Australia 3 times. September 1995 to promote Design of a decade and to be a presenter at the 10th Annual Aria Awards. Sandy and i went and cheered her on. We met up with all the other people we met at the concert. She also did an interview on Hey Hey Its Saturday which Sandy and i got tickets from Rene to go and see it filmed live. If anyone has a copy of that interview you can hear me scream when Janet mentions shawnettes name.

Janet came to Australia in November 1997 to promote "Velvet Rope". Fans filled Darling Harbor in Sydney. Janet arrived by boat and greeted the crowd on a floating stage.

Janet came back in 1998 for the Velvet Rope tour. The show was absolutely brilliant. Unfortunately i didn't get any photographs of Janet but i did get to say "Hello" it brought back memories as it was out the back of the Sydney Entertainment Center. The place where i pass everyday to get to work and a place i always feel happy and excited to be.

Its now 1999 and many things have changed since i met Janet. Her music has inspired me to reach for my dreams and to go out and get what i want. Im now married to the most wonderful girl in the world. Her name is Karen. we were married on the 12th of April 1997.

We now have a beautiful son called Jordan.

We also have a beautiful Daughter Named "Taylah" She was born on December 21st 1999

Taylah & Jordan with Santa 1999...

Rebecca and Gene were married on the 22th November 1997. They also have a son called Bailey.

Sandy with our friend Brad who was my best man at my wedding.

I have taken up singing and i train at the Newcastle University. Im training to be an Opera singer. I also got a lead role in a local production of Oklahoma. I played Jud fry.

My last role was playing "Lun tah" in "The King and I"

Being a Janet fan has made me who i am today. Her music touches me and ive learnt allot about myself through the feelings she express' in her music.Ive spoken to many fans and they all say the same thing "Janet is a true and genuine artist who deserves all the success she has and more". When i saw the "Velvet Rope" show i thought i would be jealous but i was wrong. When i was watching Janet sing to the guy on the stage i sat back and smiled. I'd had my turn....it was time for someone else's life to change...for the better.

SHANE KENNEDY...

1999...

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