Yes. Early this month I visited Hollywood, LA and met with Lukas Kendall. We've know each other for 20 years and Im proud to say I joined the original SCL -Soundtrack Correspondent List which actually started the whole ball rolling for us i.e FSM today. He surely has come a long way. And so did I when I exited Universal Studios and tried to get a taxi but couldnt. As I have managed the subways in NYC I finally manged to get to Hollywood Boulevard where I was staying at a nearby motel. Got into a taxi and landed outside the FSM office. Lukas was already outside to receive me. And I was 30 minutes late. (I had actually cut short my Universal Studios Tour)
To tell you the truth I was quite overwhelmed and shocked to see him because It had been something I had planned for a long time and In all this excitement made me forget all the questions I had planned out for him. Lukas came across as very courteous and kind. He was all smiles. We reminisced about the old days and my background information "Why do You Live in Pakistan? " etc LOL! Basicaly he was concerned with all the serious issues affecting Pakistan and How I manage living there.
We talked about film music and upcoming projects such as The Poltergeist 2CD set (which most of us know already) Lukas was generous enough to offer me a FSM cds from the lot he had- His office was loaded with stuff from all over. I asked for his suggestion and he advised me for The Lalo Schifirin Boxed set( The Cincinnati Kid) I thanked him for the SUPERMAN Box set which I Told him was great and also asked if he was going to do any more boxed set and he was adamant that wont happen ( It had probably to due the recent FFShrine incident) but I guess He' ll get over it. What I could make out that Lukas is extremely passionate about his work and he is sensitive and pours in a great deal of hard work and genuine care. And yet despite his legendary status he is so down to earth and casual. I must give him credit for that.
He was kind enough to allow me to take took some pictures and then he took me to meet John De Davis who was working on some future FSM album doing the tape transfers and he gave me basic 101 on the work he does. Very nice and warm fellow. We generally chit chatted for a while. This time John took pictures of me and Lukas and I took of both of them. (there in my facebook now )
Later he was kind enough to drop me off. Funny incident that happened was when I reached the car I was by default on the left side of the car and Lukas was on the right hand side with the door open. I looked puzzled for a while and he exclaimed " In our country we open the doors of the car for our guest" - I was on the wrong side.! LOL. Back home the drive wheel is on right side of the car. Needless to say, I apologized bemused and embarrassed too.
Anyways, it was just great meeting and next time I'm in LA we plan to meet again.
Ah, a nice report. I wished I could be more inventive, but I cannot help but repeating it: FSM stays my favourite label and Lukas my favourite film music CD producer!
Very cool, Amer!! You must surely have a special place in his heart, being one of the legendary first 11 subscribers to the FSM magazine way back before it even was called FSM! Must have been a special moment.
I hope to meet him (and the rest of the FSM staff) too some day, even though we've argued a bit over this and that over the years. If they'll allow me in, that is.
Very cool, Amer!! You must surely have a special place in his heart, being one of the legendary first 11 subscribers to the FSM magazine way back before it even was called FSM! Must have been a special moment.
I hope to meet him (and the rest of the FSM staff) too some day, even though we've argued a bit over this and that over the years. If they'll allow me in, that is.
Thanks Thor, Hope you had great Birthday! Lukas has been very generous and kind in all these years. He even wrote me back and thanked me for the support in all these years. I also hope to meet you and other FSM members, maybe next year Im planning for the Comic Con 2011.
Fantastic narrative, Amed.........Thanks for the picture, too. It was nice to see the guy who helped me add a VERY important score to my collection. I just sort of lurk here most of the time, but it is posts such as yours that keep me coming back!!!! Stay safe, my friend!!
Awesome. I talked with Lukas on the phone a few times back in the mid-90's, which was the first time I was able to talk with someone who shared by enthusiasm for this weird hobby, and he came across as extremely nice and knowledgable (he was the one who told me that Danny Elfman was sending me a little treat for my review of Dolores Claiborne published in FSM, and told me "you must never sell it" ).
Oh Amer just wonderful man, I'm so happy with you. Though I haven't had that kind of great one on one interaction with Lukas, I have always found him to be a cool guy. He was great at last years event and even this years event in Burbank, always kind!!
Congrats Amer, LA is a great place, I just LOVE LA!
Timmer: I'm watching VERTICAL LIMIT today and thinking of Concordia ! One things settle down back here we are going to Base Camp at Nanga Parbat!
Peter: I saw your videos too and I wish I was their at film music con you did. LA is great and Im going there again next year.
VietnamVet: It was all my pleasure.
Cheers every one!
Amer
Ahhh Amer !!
I'm so glad you made it to the states, and to meet Lukas in LA...ummm, now I know why you were selling all those CDs
Amer is indeed a fine fellow, and, my concern was, that he'd get as warm a welcome here in America as I did when I visited Pakistan. Looks like it came true.
Very cool, Amer!! You must surely have a special place in his heart, being one of the legendary first 11 subscribers to the FSM magazine way back before it even was called FSM! Must have been a special moment.
I hope to meet him (and the rest of the FSM staff) too some day, even though we've argued a bit over this and that over the years. If they'll allow me in, that is.
Thor, rest assured you'd be welcomed. We all argue and bicker but, at the heart of it all we're a close community. If you ever make your way to the Carolinas, the beer is on me. The first one at least. I understand you do have quite the thirst
Great News. I also hope to meet Lukas one day, and the rest of the FSM staff, at least to shake their hands and thank them for all they've done for film music. And if any of them ever visited here, I'd be more than happy to billet them and be tour guide. I hope you liked the Cincinnati Kid CD: it's a great release.
I wished I could be more inventive, but I cannot help but repeating it: FSM stays my favourite label and Lukas my favourite film music CD producer!
