Friday 22 July 2016

The celebrity massage therapist's crazy stories

The following is an interview with celebrity massage therapist Dr. Dot, as told to Megan Cahn.

The celebrity massage therapist's crazy stories | mcarchives.com

I began pursuing my craft at age five, when my hippie parents started teaching me massage techniques. They also took me to concerts at a young age - my first was Melanie when I was two. I saw several Grateful Dead shows and other various concerts, including Frank Zappa, before I was even 12 years old. I became a passionate music fan, but knew that as I grew older I would have to find my own way into shows. I began to use bodywork as a way to meet rockers and get into shows for free. I gave my first backstage massage to Def Leppard when I was 15, trading a massage for concert tickets, and eventually ended up seeing more than 3,000 shows for free.

In 1994, Charlie Watts, the drummer for the Rolling Stones, insisted I start charging if I wanted people to take me seriously - he was my first paying client. I then went on three consecutive paid tours with the Stones, though I would have done them for free since their catering is the best in the world. I was originally hired just for Charlie, but I ended up massaging them all. I got to watch the shows from the press pit each night. If Mick would spin or move in certain way, he would end up sweating on me sometimes. It was splendid.

I eventually went to massage school and got licensed, all while growing my star-studded clientele that includes Kanye West, Katy Perry, Paris Hilton, Courtney Love, and many more. I then moved to Berlin, where I worked at a medical-massage clinic from 1994 to 1999. I now work out of Hoboken, New Jersey, but am constantly on the road with my clients, going on tours, etc. I now have a worldwide staff-for-hire of over 1,000 like-minded "Dot Bots" whom I've vetted and approved. I refer to them as "the pitbulls of massage" because we focus on deep-tissue. The rubbie-dub stuff doesn't help - especially for my musician clients.

I massaged Mariah Carey until about 6 a.m. while she watched Mean Girls on a loop. (Rates start at £100 per hour; £140 after 10 p.m.; £175 after midnight; £210 after 2 a.m.) She loves to just chill in bed watching a film and having her feet done for hours. I am exactly the same. A foot massage is never long enough. Also, when I lived in Berlin one of the concert venues had such a tiny backstage area, I had to massage most of the rock stars on a long marble catering table. We would let the rockers eat, then clean off the table for their massages. And it was hilarious hearing the other band members (Oasis, *NSYNC, The Roots, Blur) make fun of the one on the table.

It's difficult to choose just one memorable experience. Touring with the Rolling Stones was amazing. I was also flown to London to massage Sting and his wife for Live 8. We all watched The Who perform from the side of the stage (literally on the stage, about 50 feet away from them), and Sting was busy massaging my shoulders while we all enjoyed their performance. Sting's wife, Trudie, was right next to us. The people around us who didn't know who I was must've been thinking, "Who the hell is that girl being massaged by Sting while his wife is standing right there not protesting?" Ha! Massaging Lady Gaga's feet while Yoko Ono chatted to her... that was pretty cool, too.

(excerpt from Refinery29)



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