I knew about him before I ever ran a rack. I remember seeing pictures of him at Starcher's in Akron in 85',and during the intro to the Varner/Garcia semi final from Resorts in '86,they showed a few cues and mentioned THE Crown Jewels. I never knew it was a Meucci until I got their catalog in '88.
My first exposure to him in person was in '89,at the only full field pro tournament ever held in Memphis. This was the place where he sold that cue to a collector,and watched it sold for 5 times that to another collector within 15 feet of him.
I was starting to get out and play,and found out he was doing an exhibition at The Rack. The place was packed,and you knew it as soon as he walked in,his presence was HUGE.
During the challenge matches,I got up and ran out on him,one of my first times running out an 8 ball rack on a 9 footer. Needless to say,he ran 3 to return the favor,but signed my JR-3 later on that night. He never once acted like he was a better PERSON,just a better player and made no effort to hide it. He answered all the questions I had,as well as anyone else.
Later on,I wound up with an Oldie 5 that was made for him,but he rejected. I believe he was holding that cue in a Meucci poster.
I am a believer in his all-time great status. In an Accu-Stats match where he completely dominates Efren at The Sands,Jay makes the point that he had won FAR more tournaments on American soil than Efren had (still has too!),and he was one of the few players left that had won titles in multiple games.
Glad to hear he's not still having back problems,Tommy D.