Headbangers Who Care

Headbangers Who Care

FEATURES

A Middle-Aged Mom Meets Bon Jovi, Ratt, Quiet Riot and Stryper On The Road To Safety

Mary Kinney Branson

Meet Mary Kinney Branson—a “middle-aged mom” (in her own words) who wants drivers to buckle up.

So what’s she doing in METAL, anyway? Well, Ms. Branson has a story and a message: the story is about her efforts to get metal stars to spread the “buckleup” gospel... and the message is to get you to do the same.

We at METAL couldn’t agree more. We want you to live a long and fruitful life, buying our magazine often. Read on, then, as Ms. Branson tells of her true-life adventures and remember to use that darned seat belt.

—The Editors

“Wow, my hands were shaking so much I was afraid Oz Fox would have to ask me to hold the cue cards still,” my son David, 16, told his friend Keith, 15.

“I know,” said Keith, “I about went crazy when Robert Sweet walked in.”

I laughed inwardly at the boys’ nervousness. By now David had met so many heavy metal stars I would have thought he’d be more casual.

It seems only right that David should have the pleasure—no, thrill—of meeting his heavy metal idols. After all, it was David who thought of a campaign that I’m sure will save the lives of plenty of young headbangers.

When I began my work as Education Specialist for the Automotive Safety for Children Program, sponsored by the Indiana Division of Traffic Safety, I felt strongly that not enough was being done to educate teenagers about the importance of using seat belts. There were buckle up promotions for kids and statistic-filled promotions for adults. But teenagers seemed to fall between the cracks of the traffic safety program.

This lack of teenaged-focused education was especially alarming because car accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers; teenaged drivers are involved in more car crashes per mile than any age driver; one third of the passengers killed in car accidents are teenagers; and high school students typically have the lowest safety belt use of any age group.

So about a week after beginning my new job, I asked David: “What would make your friends use their seat belts?”

David laughed with his usual dry humor.

“Well, Mom,” said David. “It sure wouldn’t be you. But if Bon Jovi or Robert Sweet told them to buckle up, they’d probably listen.”

Great idea, but how do you get busy heavy metal superstars to tell their fans to buckle up? Surprisingly, it was much easier than I dreamed it would be.

The key to our successful Buckle Up Messages from Heavy Metal Stars campaign was certainly not my expertise. At first I had to make as many as 20 long distance calls just to reach the publicist or road manager responsible for arranging public service announcements (or PSAs). I had never worked behind the scenes with a camera crew. And my first cue cards were printed on manila file folders.

I was clearly a novice.

The key to our success was simple: heavy metal stars care about their fans. With only one exception, every star has said: “We’d be more than happy to help.”

As the mother of Penny, 18, and David, I’ve listened to more heavy metal music than 10 average teenagers. I’ve attended concerts. I’ve read Creem Close-Up: METAL. I can sing most of the hit heavy metal songs from beginning to end.

I’ve liked the music for a long time. Since beginning our public service announcement series I also like the stars.

I like them because they care about my kids’ safety. If every mom could go backstage with our crew a lot of negative attitudes would change.

Jon Bon Jovi was the first star to agree to help with our buckle up series for statewide television use. I expected such a big star to ask: “Who else is doing this?” or “What’s in it for me?”

But when I reached Sherry Ring at Polygram Records, she immediately said “I’m sure Jon would be glad to help.” A few days later Ms. Ring called to confirm that Bon Jovi had indeed agreed to film the PSA.

During the time I was. arranging Bon Jovi’s PSA, my son informed me that Quiet Riot was performing the day before Bon Jovi’s concert. A series of calls led to another cheerful commitment to help.

As the night of Quiet Riot’s concert approached David became more and more excited. I decided I couldn’t possibly meet the guys who had given us “Mama, Weer All Crazee Now” and “Cum On, Feel The Noize” without taking my son. Not knowing how the band would react to my bringing David along, I decided nevertheless that my son and I would be a package deal. In fact, I agreed to let my son take a friend backstage with us.

As we entered the auditorium where the band was making last minute sound checks, David and his friend Keith spotted Frankie Banali sitting in one of the audience seats. Literally frozen by the thought of being so close to Quiet Riot’s drummer, they simply sat down a few rows behind Banali and watched as he moved his cowboy boots to the rhythm of the music.

I decided I would do what I could to arrange a meeting.

“Hi, Frankie.” I tapped him on the shoulder. Upon seeing a middle-aged mom, Banali rose to his feet.

“I’m the one who’s filming the seat belt PSA,” I shouted over the almost unbelievable decibel level of the warm-up music. “I’ve brought my son and his friend with me. Could you possibly say hi to them?”

In a second Banali was shaking hands with David and Keith. Then he instructed them to stay where they were. He hurried to the stage and brought back two drumsticks. As he handed the sticks to the boys, David and Keith went into total shock.

Guitarist Carlos Cavazo was equally friendly. After the filming both Banali and Cavazo took time for autographs, pictures, and answers to such inside questions as: “Have you ever met Lita Ford?” and “What’s Blackie Lawless like?”

Two excited teenagers slept very little that night.

Backstage with Jon Bon Jovi was more closely guarded at the huge arena seating 15,000. But road manager Richie Bozette was waiting to welcome us and help us set up.

Bozette directed us to a tiny dressing room where we would do the filming. With barely enough room for our cameras, I reluctantly instructed David and Keith to wait outside the dressing room.

Weeks of concert travel had made Bon Jovi obviously tired. He entered the dressing room without noticing David and Keith.

In front of the camera Bon Jovi turned on his famous charm as he challenged his fans: “I wear what I want. I sing the way I like, even if it means being different. But, you know, some people would rather die than be different. Even if you’re the only one in your crowd who does it, use your seat belt.”

Bon Jovi shook our hands as he left the dressing room.

“Thanks, Jon,” I said. “I’ve got one more favor. My son and his friend are right outside the door..

“Sure,” interrupted Bon Jovi, realizing my request.

He went immediately outside and shook David’s hand.

“Hey, bud, can I borrow five dollars?” asked Bon Jovi.

My shocked son would have given him five thousand dollars or his last nickel.

Bon Jovi posed for pictures and signed autographs. Then he walked hurriedly to the stage and 15,000 fans went wild.

Ratt performed in the same huge arena on New Year’s Eve. My daughter was home from school and was ecstatic about going backstage with us. Not wanting to disappoint David, I also agreed to let him take his friend Jeff with him.

The Christmas holiday was filled with “What will I wear?” and “What will I say if I get to meet any of the band?” David, by now a pro at meeting heavy metal stars, filled Penny in on the procedures.

Penny, David, Jeff, and I met the camera crew outside the arena. Atlantic Records publicist Bill Heltemes was there to direct us to the room where we would film our PSA. Heltemes, a father himself, explained: “The band’s more than happy to do the filming. And I was glad to arrange it. We’re all concerned about the safety of the fans.”

Bassist Juan Croucier agreed to do the filming. By the time Croucier entered the room the opening act was finished and the stage sets had been changed. In spite of the limited time factor, Croucier posed for a picture. As he placed his arms around his teenaged fans he accidentally struck the side of Penny’s head.

Crocier turned with concern and brushed her blonde hair to the side, checking the damage. Leaving the arena after the terrific concert, Penny whispered: “I may never wash my hair again.”

Stryper was coming to town! With great music and a great message we were eager to add Stryper fans to our PSA audience. David and Keith were again serving as my “roadies.”

Stryper was performing at a slightly smaller auditorium but every seat was filled. As we made our way backstage we were immediately impressed by the emotional high of good clean fun that pervaded everyone.

Due to a mix-up of messages from the recording company, the filming was extremely rushed. But everyone was friendly, relaxed, and just plain ‘‘having a great time jamming.” We could see Oz Fox and Michael Sweet in their large open dressing room, playfully singing and dancing to Ratt’s “Body Talk.”

David and Keith became more and more excited as various members of the band walked through the room where we were setting up our equipment. Media were everywhere. All the band members were doing separate interviews.

Road manager John Cleary grabbed Oz Fox as he walked by. Did Oz want to film a public service announcement to encourage teenage fans to buckle up?

Fox hesitated. Sensing his obvious shyness I said: “It could save the lives of some of your fans."

“Sure,” said Fox. “I’ll give it a try.”

As Fox completed an excellent PSA, Robert Sweet practically bounced into the room. The official spokesman for the group, Sweet was definitely not shy.

“Hey, Oz chose the PSA I wanted to do," teased Sweet. “Oh, well. I guess I can do another one.”

Sweet stood with one hand on his hip. Looking directly into the camera I sensed he was truly talking to Stryper fans as he encouraged them to use their seat belts.

Both Fox and Sweet signed autographs and posed for pictures with David and Keith. Then Cleary called them for their usual prayer time before their concert.

As we drove home after the concert, David and Keith discussed which heavy metal stars had been the nicest to them.

“Stryper was great,” said Keith. “No groups in the future could top them. They’re so fun-loving and sincere.”

“Yeah,” said David, “but remember Frankie? I’m going to keep that drumstick as long as I live.”

As the boys relived the excitement of meeting each group, they talked about how friendly and realeach star had been.

“You know,” said Keith, “before I met any of these stars I thought they were 10 feet tall. But they’re just people like us.”

‘‘You thought they were 10 feet tall before you met them?” I asked. “Now that I’ve met them and know how much they care about their fans, I know they’re 10 feet tall.”