Billy Idol fan convinces rock star to play his birthday party

by Lauren O'Neil Posted: October 23, 2012 7:05 PM Last Updated: October 23, 2012 8:43 PM

Categories: Community

View the story "Billy Idol fan gets rock legend to play his birthday party" on StorifyBilly Idol fan gets rock legend to play his birthday partyIt took 25-year-old Michael Henrichsen two years, four charity fundraisers and dozens of celebrity endorsement videos to convince 80's punk rocker Billy Idol to play at his birthday party, but his dreams are finally set to come true Friday in Seattle.Storified by CBC News Community · Tue, Oct 23 2012 17:43:35Townnews

To say that Michael Henrichsen is a fan of punk rock legendBilly Idol would be an understatement.

A quick scroll through the 25-year-old Seattle man'swebsite, YouTube channel or 80s memorabilia collection proves that he isn't simply a Billy Idol fan-- he's THE Billy Idol fan.

And on Friday, thanks to his social media savvy, persistent attitude, and twoyears of campaigning with playmybirthdaybillyidol.com, Henrichsen's dream ofhaving the British rocker play his birthday party will come true.

Billy Idol's Final Answer to PlayMyBirthdayBillyIdol.com HES COMING!! 10-26-12playmybirthday

On Oct. 26, Idol will be playing Henrichsen's 26thbirthday party at a concert venue in Seattle, Washington in front of 1,800fans.

"People of the world have spoken - the dream willbecome a reality. I will take the stage for what is sure to be one of the mostmemorable birthday parties your city has ever known!" said Idol in theabove teaser video for the upcoming concert.

Northjersey

Henrichsen, whose 80's cover band Nite Wave, will open theshow, told the Associated Press that he started screaming and running lapsaround the mall when Idol's people called from Japan with the news.

"It's gonna be pretty much thecoolest night ever," he said.

Seattle man gets Billy Idol to play his birthdaySeattle man gets Billy Idol to play his birthday SEATTLE (AP) - Michael Henrichsen has ideas about how he might celebrate his 26th birthd...But it was no easy feat to make this all happen.PlayMyBirthdayBillyIdol.com Video RecapplaymybirthdayHenrichsen told the Associated Press that he started working to get Idol'sattention in Oct. 2010 after a conversation about birthdays with a co-worker.

"Wouldn't it be cool if we got Billy Idol to play at my [next] birthday party?" he asked. She laughed, but he was inspired to start a web-based campaign directed toward his hero.
Play My Birthday Billy Idol - Seattle, WAWhich means we are just 4 FRIGGIN Days away from BILLY IDOL!!!! Hecks YES! Two years ago, I had a goal to do something outrageous. I mi...The campaign got off to a slow start, but Henrichsen pressed on, creating blog posts, performing live, and producing YouTube videos featuring himself doing everything from blaring "Mony Mony" over a boombox outside of a farmer's market in downtown Seattle to choreographing and performing a complete ice dancing routine to "Dancing With Myself" on YouTube.Freestyle Ice Dancing, Billy Idol Style (Play My Birthday Billy idol.com)playmybirthdayCelebrityendorsement videos from the likes of singer Rick Springfield,Ron Jeremy, Fabio and actor Kevin Nealon helped Henrichsen's site gain prominence from local,and then international media.
Supermodel Fabio Supports PlayMyBirthdayBillyIdol.complaymybirthdayHenrichsen explained to AP that he treatedhanging out at book signings and celebrity appearances to get endorsements as afourth part-time job.Giada De Laurentiis supports PlayMyBirthdayBillyIdol.complaymybirthday

Idol's people got word of the campaign through Googlealerts.

"When we first became aware of Michael's project wewere inclined to see it as just another extreme idea from a well-meaningfan," said Idol's manager, Tony Dimitriades. "But as Michael'scampaign continued, his persistence and resourcefulness won Billy over."

As he indicated in the announcement video above, Idol was also impressed byHenrichsen's fundraising efforts.

His band has been playing a series of charity concerts with his banddubbed "Billy Idol Aid" and raised more than $10,000 and for the American RedCross and hundreds of pounds of food for the Northwest Harvest charity.

Billy Idol Aid 4 raises $6,500 for Charity! | Play My Birthday Billy Idol - Seattle, WAThanks to the support of all the Billy Idol Aid fans out there and a huge donation by a PlayMyBirthdayBillyIdol.com supporter, Idol Aid 4...When Idol confirmed the news for his fans on Twitter, words of congratulations (and requests for tickets) started pouring in for Henrichsen who goes by the handle @playmybirthday.
Back from Russia where we played a one off gig for @NaomiCampbell & Russian boyfriend Vlad...onto Seattle next week for @playmybirthday showBilly Idol@playmybirthday Party on Wayne. Holla with extra tix. You rock!!James GardnerSo proud of @playmybirthday. Well deserved recognition. Congratulations my friend. #billyidolJose Medina@playmybirthday BTW, are there still any tickets to the event? Invite only or what?Steven Avery @playmybirthday Also, you're a total inspiration man. Just goes to show, if you want something you can do it... if you just genuinely try.Steven Avery It's this Friday! And yes I'm definitely going :) Tickets sold out in 3 days!! @YasminKhorram @playmybirthdayCara D'AmatoClassy Move @BillyIdol --> Play My Birthday Billy Idol - Seattle, WA http://www.playmybirthdaybillyidol.com/ via @playmybirthdayEd @playmybirthday I just read about your story. Congrats to pulling things off, and my hats off to you for raising so much for charity! \m/Brian ColburnCan't remember what I did for my 26th bday, but it didn't involve @BillyIdol. Fun story on @playmybirthday: http://yhoo.it/UvPTSDGene JohnsonCongrats Michael! @BillyIdol will @playmybirthday THIS Friday @showboxsea SoDo! http://seati.ms/TQleu1showboxsea@playmybirthday DO YOU FEEL ALRIGHT....... I FEEL ALRIGHT.......DO YOU FEEL ALRIGHT.............?UlliWow @BillyIdol playing @playmybirthday this Fri in MY TOWN #Seattle this Friday? How am I just finidng out about this. #EpicElliot McDonellWell overwhelming day! Enjoying every minute of it, thanks to everyone for their support and love! @BillyIdolMichaelHenrichsen spoke with CBC's As It Happens on Oct 23. Click here to listen to the podcast.
If you could have any performer at your next birthday party, who would it be?

Tags: storify

Previous PostiPad Mini release gets Apple fans and haters buzzing

Back to Your Community Home

Next PostDo your grandparents speak a language that you don't?

Stay Connected with CBC News

Meet the Community Team

CBC News Community team, from left to right: Andrew Yates, Andrea Lee-Greenberg, Lauren O'Neil, John Bowman

If you're part of the CBC News community, you're likely to meet one of us: we're the folks working to produce and promote your stories. Read more about us.

Archives »

2012 (1965)

Accessibility Links

CBC Global Navigation

CBC News Community

Major StoriesIn The News

CBC News Navigation

Billy Idol fan convinces rock star to play his birthday party

More Stories under Community

More entries for category: Community

Stay Connected with CBC News

Meet the Community Team

Other Your Community Entries

Archives »

CBC Global Footer

CBC.ca

Corporate

Stay Connected

CBC Links

Accessibility Links

CBC News Community

Major StoriesIn The News

CBC News Navigation

Billy Idol fan convinces rock star to play his birthday party

More Stories under Community

More entries for category: Community

Stay Connected with CBC News

Meet the Community Team

Other Your Community Entries

Tag Cloud

Categories

Archives »

CBC Global Footer

CBC.ca

Corporate

Stay Connected