Before August 1st 2008, I can’t think of a time I was truly starstruck. I was a bit tongue-tied when I met Gay Byrne two years ago, but apart from that, I don’t think I’ve ever come close to being starstruck. When Tom Waits stepped out on stage, he looked ten feet tall. A combination of the rapturous cheers, the perfectly targeted spotlights and Waits’ natural charisma made him the most alluring man on the planet at that moment. I was in awe. I’m not sure if I cheered - I may have just stared. Of course, I was not as overcome as the American guy behind me who screamed uncontrollably and looked close to tears. Understandable! All this, before the man sang a single note.