There’s an old saying: “Never meet your heroes.” But for me, meeting The Replacements was an unforgettable experience that proved the saying wrong.
I’ve been obsessed with The Replacements since December 27, 1990, when I purchased their album All Shook Down. That record changed my life. From that day forward, I listened to their music every single day, at least until the fall of 1997, when my first real job left me too tired to listen to anything. Even so, I’ve never traveled far without The Replacements.
(You can read previous posts about how much I love the Replacements here, here, here. here, here, and here)
Meeting Paul Westerberg
Paul Westerberg, the lead singer and songwriter of The Replacements, has always been a fascinating figure to me. If you enjoy rock biographies, I highly recommend Trouble Boys by Bob Mehr, which dives deep into Westerberg’s life and the band’s history.
Paul’s music resonated with me in ways that other artists never could. His lyrics spoke to the peculiar kids who didn’t feel like they belonged—even when they were with their friends. As a teenager struggling with shyness and social insecurities, I found comfort in his songs. He wrote about loudmouths, quiet outsiders, and teenage boys grappling with their identities.
In college, my closest friends dropped out, and as a commuter student, I only made one new friend. Westerberg’s music filled the void left by the friends I no longer saw. His songs were a constant companion during those lonely years.
One unforgettable moment came in 2005 when Westerberg performed at the House of Blues in New Orleans. Despite an injury earlier on the tour, he stayed after the show to meet his fans. He even signed my shirt, which my wife later framed. That shirt now hangs proudly in our house.
The Replacements at the Hollywood Palladium
My wife has always supported my obsession with The Replacements. In 2015, while we were at the Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, we decided to leave early so we could catch The Replacements at the Hollywood Palladium.
This was no small gesture, considering my wife is a massive Star Wars fan. But she knew how much this opportunity meant to me, and we made it happen.
On a layover on the way home from Celebration, we met Dave Minehan, who was the guitarist for the show. I got to thank him and tell him how amazing the show was. We were in line for food, so I didn’t get any pictures or autographs because I tried not to be too weird.
Meeting Tommy
In 2018, I had the chance to meet Tommy Stinson, the bass player and soul of The Replacements. My wife spotted a Facebook post from one of our favorite record stores, Park Ave CDs in Orlando, announcing that Tommy would be playing there. For a moment, I considered sending my brother-in-law to tape the performance.
But then, she noticed that a new show had just been added at Siberia Lounge in New Orleans—with a meet-and-greet! She looked at me and said, “Spend the money!”
Meeting Tommy was the most surreal experience of my life. Here was a guy whose music had carried me through so many difficult times, shaking my hand and chatting with me like an old friend. I’ll never forget sitting in the bar afterward, talking about life and music like we’d known each other for years.
After the show, he signed a poster for me and even recorded a personal message for my daughter, who was just a newborn at the time.
Now, in 2025, my daughter is seven years old, and I’m looking forward to the day when I can share that video with her. The Replacements aren’t just a band to me—they’re a part of my life and my family’s story.
A Legacy Worth Sharing
The Replacements have always filled the gaps that life’s challenges left behind. Whether I was missing friends during college or simply needed a soundtrack to navigate life’s ups and downs, their music was always there to pick me up.
One day, I’ll share their music and these stories with my daughter—so she understands how much this band means to me.
What Are Your Thoughts?
Have you ever met your musical heroes? Do you have a favorite memory with The Replacements? Share your stories in the comments below—I’d love to hear them!
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