It was on my sixth day in China that I met my first pop star.
Walking through Beijing Airport I noticed a bit of a commotion going on and went to investigate.
I saw a group of around 200 people, mainly young girls aged in their 20s, waiting patiently behind a piece of green string.
The group was on two sides of the airport’s entrance, forming a funnel into the check in area which featured polystyrene banners and a few flags.
Chatting amiably behind a rope, with policemen keeping a watchful eye I wondered who or what they were waiting for.
It certainly wasn’t the bemused businessmen who wandered obliviously through.
“We are waiting for Zhou bi Chang,” one of the girls explained.
Oh Jackie Chan, I’ve heard of him, I replied.
“No Zhou bi Chang,” the girl said again, and went on to explain that she was a singer also known as BB.
I learned that BB was travelling from Beijing to Shanghai and then after that was going to go to
America.
She was clearly a great singer, and one of the few boys put a BB sticker on my lapel.
That was it. I was now a BB fan, and I had to wait to see my idol.
Check in for my flight would have to wait.
The crowd hopped around expectedly and a couple of them even played BB songs on their mobile phones to me.She sounds like a kind of sweet teenage pop, harmless enough really with names like Silence and Who Picks Up My Strings?
Anyway, after about half an hour the crowd became a little agitated, but started singing a few of her songs.
Suddenly they started hissing and someone came running through the outer doors of the airport.
That needed no translation – BB was in the building.
Surrounded by minders, she came through the crowd dressed all in black with a black baseball cap.
At one point she was just a couple of metres away from me, as the crowd went bananas and rushed after her – in a kind of good natured way – as she went through the airport and then she was gone.
As they went, one left her BB love heart, which I picked up and still have.
I also met a fan who, overcome with emotion told me about the other songs and gave me a BB calendar.
Later as I waited to board the plane, a Chinese couple came up to me, pointed to my BB sticker and smiled.
I’d like to think it was because of my excellent musical taste.
Whatever, after my brush with BB, I’ve become a fan.
Comments (5)
So glad to see your blog content, John! I regret that I didn't go to the airport the day before Bichang go to LA, but I know Bibi was not lonely that day because of so many persons included you there with her.
BTW, Bibi will release her 2nd album next month, do you know? Let's wait for her new songs and more surprises from her music!
Posted by Maggie | November 22, 2007 5:38 AM
Posted on November 22, 2007 05:38
I was at the PuDong airport that day too, :) also in that crowd, very fortunate to see your mention here and welcome to join us, sharing musical sincerity from Bichang. Any more informations you need about BB, you can contact me with bibichen_cjs@hotmail.com.
Best wishes for ThanksGiving Day.
Posted by Fiona | November 22, 2007 4:26 AM
Posted on November 22, 2007 04:26
I am glad that you like BiBi, a few days on her new album out, we all look forward to! This is her official website
http : / / www.bibisky.com/
This is the Chinese, you may fail to understand it, but I think you can listen to his songs, look at his pictures.
I am not good at English. sorry````
Posted by sally | November 21, 2007 4:26 AM
Posted on November 21, 2007 04:26
Thx for loving BiBi and welcome to join us~ I have to say, 'Nice to know you,QING~' ^^
Posted by Qiao Er | November 21, 2007 2:47 AM
Posted on November 21, 2007 02:47
Hi John, do you remember me ? I am the girl that give you the BB's calendar. I also take a photo with you, could you send it to me by email?
My email address is jennylly.lau@hotmail.com.
Thanks!:)
Posted by Jenny | April 22, 2007 5:46 AM
Posted on April 22, 2007 05:46