My friend Sarah Taylor (then Sarah Combs), who worked as Davy Jones social media manager for many years and long time fan and friend of The Monkees, had the pleasure of interviewing Adrianne Bommer, the girl who won the Nick Rocks Meet The Monkees Sweepstakes in 1987, in July of 2010. Here is a repost of this interesting cultural moment, a fun trip down memory lane of Adrianne Bommer meeting The Monkees as a young girl on November 28, 1987.
Sarah Taylor: What are your memories of The Monkees Contest event as an 8 year old?
Adrianne Bommer: I have lots of memories… I remember the guys teaching me to do the Monkeewalk. I remember being scared and overwhelmed a first. Something funny… I was so worried that the boom guy was going to hit me in the head! The guys were very patient. They made me feel at ease. Just like talking to regular people. It all was exciting. Shopping for a dress, the hotel we stayed at, going to California, riding in limos, eating at a fancy restaurant.
[Editor’s Note, me Emily Wells: It sounds so fun!!!!!]
Also, we were supposed to do some sort of skit I believe but I think the guys got delayed doing interviews and there just wasn’t time.
Sarah Taylor: What was the experience like, and did you realize that the guys were older than what you saw in the shows?
Adrianne Bommer: I did know they were older than when they were on the show. I had been to a concert or two. The whole experience was very cool.
Sarah Taylor: What do you remember the most about hanging out with The Monkees?
Adrianne Bommer: I remember talking with them, eating dinner, being very nervous. By the time we were at dinner, I had relaxed some. People had sent us things from all over and we took those with us and showed them the stuff at dinner. One woman wrote Peter a book with his full name in it over and over and over.
Sarah Taylor: Are you still a hardcore Monkees fan to this day, and how does it feel to be a small part of Monkees history?
Adrianne Bommer: I never really thought about being part of Monkees history, but I guess I am. Being in a video and in magazines and all. Yup, I’m still a fan!
Sarah Taylor: At the age of 8, did you have an appreciation for The Monkees? Or did a relative push you into entering the contest without you knowing who the guys were? What are your memories of this event now that you are all grown?
Adrianne Bommer: At 8, almost 9, I knew who they were, watched the shows, went to concerts, listened to their music. I was a fan. My mom and aunt were big fans, so I guess they did influence that but I was a fan.
Sarah Taylor: Who was more of a Monkees fan, you or your mom?
Adrianne Bommer: My aunt… She’s the biggest fan I know.
Sarah Taylor: Which Monkee did you connect with the most? Who made you feel the most comfortable?
Adrianne Bommer: Peter. He was very sweet. I remember after dinner we were all in the parking lot getting ready to leave and the zipper on my coat was stuck and Peter pulled me away from the cameras and all the people and fixed my jacket. I don’t remember what he said to me only that he was really nice. He was very attentive the whole day.
Sarah Taylor: What is your favorite memory from your time with the Monkees, and how have they affected you to this day?
Adrianne Bommer: I don’t think I can pick just one memory… The whole experience was surreal.
Sarah Taylor: Were you a fan when you entered the contest? And if not, did you become a fan after meeting them?
Adrianne Bommer: Yes, I was a fan before the contest. However, my aunt was the one who entered the contest for me. I don’t think I was even aware of a contest.
Sarah Taylor: What was your most memorable moment from meeting The Monkees?
Adrianne Bommer: One of them would have to be my little brother, Michael. He was little at the time, but he wanted to meet Mike Nesmith and he was upset that he wasn’t there. Everyone thought it was really sweet.
[Editor’s Note, me Emily Wells: Awwwwwwwww Michael, someone wanted to meet you and you weren’t there…]
Sarah Taylor: Do you still have the jacket?
Adrianne Bommer: Yes, I still have both jackets. The one in the video was an adult small which was clearly too big for me. LOL, Nick Rocks later sent me one of a proper size. I also still have the red dress I wore.
Sarah Taylor: How did your schoolmates react to seeing you on TV all the time?
Adrianne Bommer: Some were excited… Some not so much. It generated both positive and negative reactions.
Sarah Taylor: How did you find out you’d won? Did you think it was a joke, at first?
Adrianne Bommer: Someone from Nickelodeon called me at home. I did really think it was a joke and said so on the phone. I thought it was one of my friends. LOL, I also remember telling the story to the guys as well. My parents were gone at the time as well so we had a nice surprise for them when they got home!
Sarah Taylor: Do people from your home town still make reference to the Monkees or Nickelodeon when they bump into you?
Adrianne Bommer: No, it’s been so long and Lansing isn’t exactly a small town.
Sarah Taylor: (If you had one) Who was your favorite Monkee, back then?
Adrianne Bommer: I was “in love” with Davy, hahaha. He gave me a kiss and I thought I was so cool!
Sarah Taylor: What are you up to, nowadays?
Adrianne Bommer: These days, I’m a mom. I’m married and have 3 boys. 2 school aged and a 2 year old. We still live in Michigan about an hour from where I grew up. My kids have seen the NickRocks video as well as one my dad recorded. I have a scrapbook as well with some pictures and other memorabilia from the trip… Ticket stubs and itinerary stuff.
Sarah Taylor: 1.) What was the name of the restaurant, and where was it? 2.) How much time did you actually get to spend with The Monkees? 3.) Who was your favorite Monkee back then? And now? 4.) Are you still a big fan? 5.) When was the last time (recently) that you saw any of them?
Adrianne Bommer: The restaurant was Ed Debevic’s. It was in L.A. I believe. We spent a decent amount of time with them. The filming at the hotel took a while and we were at the restaurant until pretty late at night. The last time I saw them was at concert I went to with my aunt in probably 1996 or 97. We went back stage and said hello and chatted for a few minutes. I brought my jacket with me as well and other concert goes knew who I was from the jacket. We also went to a thing in Chicago probably a year or so after the contest and I spent some time with Jessica (Davy’s daughter) and we exchanged a few letters after that. We sat in front of the stage on the floor. LOL, I also got asked for my autograph in Chicago.
Sarah Taylor: What did you like the most about each individual member of the group?
Adrianne Bommer: Peter was very nice and so was Davy. Mickey was very funny. At the hotel when he first came out, he kept pretending to fall in the pool.
Sarah Taylor: Do you still listen to The Monkees on a regular basis? Or was it just a time in your life and you’ve moved on to other music? What do you listen to now?
Adrianne Bommer: I have quite a bit of their music in on my blackberry/mp3 player. I do still listen to them. I also listen to a bit of everything else.