During a very emotional performance by Teddy Riley and friends (along with Jodeci closing the show), the crowd went crazy when Riley announced he had a very special birthday present he wanted to share with the audience. Never in my wildest dreams would I have guess that Aaron Hall of Guy would come busting out the back in full dance move brigade! Everyone was screaming like crazy and you could definitely tell that Riley was elated that this moment in time would happen with all the fueding between Teddy, Damon Hall and Aaron Hall.
Honestly, after Guy had the audacity to sell tickets and announce their performance in Australia and it didn’t include Riley, I then became doubtful this reunion would happen. When asked how he pulled this off, Riley responded, “I have God on my side; when you have God on your side anything is possible.” Ain’t that the truth!
Aaron Hall and Teddy Riley are obviously drinking from the same fountain of youth, as they both are aging backwards like Benjamin Button. Perhaps they should share that juice with K-Ci from Jodeci. I’m saving that story for another time. This was Riley’s 49th birthday party and he brought out Wrecks N Effect, Kool Moe Dee, Big Bub and of course the Blackstreet portion of the performance wouldn’t have been complete without David Hollister who delivered with excellence as expected.
After the party (on stage) of course was the afterparty in the private room at an exclusive Atlanta Bowling Alley. Hall has this magical spin and twist of the wrist to knock down that one single pin that always seems to sit in the impossible to knock down position. Riley’s bowling game of course was on point like everything else this musical genius does.
Blowing out the candles surrounded by his moms (two additional moms), his sister, friends from South Carolina, aunts, his two sons, and a plethora of people that love them some Teddy Riley was Riley’s highlight of the evening. Riley will be touring overseas very soon and not in the country for his actual birthday, so it was important this celebration happened before he left.
This was one of the most appreciative birthday parties “with the appreciation shown from the birthday boy” himself that I have ever eyewitnessed. My theory that Riley is a 360 degree type of stand up guy who’s definitely also a class act was so confirmed last night. I’m going to just put it out there that Riley was raised by a single mother. You see, it’s possible to raise our boys to become exceptional men if we instill qualities in them to help them get through life. Teaching our boys to always put God first when they are young will always go a very long way into their adulthood. On that note, I have to end this story because I have a date with the Lord this fine Sunday morning.
Enjoy the photo gallery after the break.
