Gary “Uncle G” Brown Meets Peter Max (2008)

24 August 2008

From the Desk of Gary Brown (GaryBrown@garyunclegbrownarchives.com)

Re: Meeting Peter Max

So I woke up one beautiful Sunday morning in August of 2008 and, after coffee and a shower, drove to the Houston Galleria. Not a long distance from where I was living. The reason was that the famous painter, Peter Max, was there.

The exhibition of Peter’s work was being held at the Off the Wall Gallery in the Houston Galleria. I arrived and saw people lined up, buying a book he was selling and, of course, his paintings. Spending thousands of dollars. Mr. Max is a renowned artist, loved by people worldwide. No surprise.

I spent a solid hour just walking around, admiring Peter’s creations. So cool! Blew my mind! Then I’m just hanging out, standing across the room from him, watching what’s going on. He’s interacting with customers, signing various items. Folks are smiling and enjoying being in Peter’s company.

I’m dressed casually. I have on a Yes concert T-shirt that Peter designed, from when they toured their magnificent 1994 album, Talk. Very colorful! A black concert T-shirt with different patches of color throughout.

Some time goes by. After Peter finishes with a middle-aged couple, he looks toward me, then walks straight over. After all, I am the only one there wearing his Yes T-shirt. It’s become a magnet.

I’m thinking to myself, holy shit. Maybe? Really, I don’t remember what I was thinking to myself; it happened so fast. Within seconds, the man is now standing right in front of me.

I’m glad I showered.

He takes the CD out of my hand without either of us saying a word. Then he asks for my name and signs it. I thank him, and he walks back across the room and greets the next person in line.

The interaction with me lasted but a couple of minutes. A lady standing next to me was totally amazed. We talked for a few seconds afterward. A very cool moment.

And then, not wanting to appear like a pest, I took one last look around and left.

Wish I’d brought a camera.

One Problem

Mr. Max signed the actual plastic CD case. I didn’t take the booklet out. I’ve been collecting autographs part-time for decades. I know better.

In the world of collecting autographs, this would be a major fuck-up.

But still, it’s cool. Probably isn’t worth much. I didn’t do all that just so I could get his signature to sell one day. In a pinch, I have let go of a few autographs that I obtained over the years. Sad when that happens. Not the intent here.

The Yes Talk CD, in its original plastic case, with Peter Max’s autograph, is contained in an airtight shadowbox hanging on a wall in my home office. A memento.

Forever grateful for the chance to meet Peter Max, on a beautiful Sunday morning.

Update — September 24, 2026

Peter Max passed away on September 14, 2026.

The End

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