Bubs: The Fast Lane To Fame

September 24, 2004

A photo essay by Rachel Geylin

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A little over three weeks ago I came to Tufts expecting to eat cafeteria food, do some schoolwork, participate in clubs, and meet new people. I never expected one of those people to be Democratic Presidential Candidate John Kerry.

This past weekend I was sent to photograph the Tufts a capella groups Beelzebubs, Jackson Jills, and Amalgamates at a fundraiser for John Kerry. Even without meeting Kerry, I would have thought of this as an amazing experience. It was my first big event as a photographer for a real publication. I had a press badge around my neck and access to the press section, where I stood alongside 40-year-old professional photographers, cameramen, and writers for publications like the Boston Globe. On top of all that, I got to hang out with the Bubs, the so-called “heartthrobs of Tufts.” Honestly, how many freshman girls get to hang out with the Bubs? As a pre-frosh, my overnight hosts sat me down in front of a computer to listen to some Bubs music and told me that if I came to Tufts, I had to worship the Bubs. The first time I saw them in person was during the Hillel Bagel Brunch. I had to meet my friends downhill at 1 p.m. that day and the Bubs did not go on until 12:50. Awestruck, I watched them sing “I Want to Rock and Roll all Night” and then bolted downhill.

Apparently, Tufts students are not the only people who admire the Bubs; the all-male a capella group was the buzz of the cocktail hour at the Kerry event. During the Amalgamates’ performance, which was difficult to hear because of the poor acoustics and lack of microphones, many people, after seeing my camera, approached me and asked who the singers were. When they heard the singers were from Tufts University, the next question was if the “Beezelebubs/Beezlebubs/Bezeelebubs” were here. When I told them, “Yes, the Beelzebubs are here and they will be performing,” their faces exploded with smiles. I never expected people with no affiliation to Tufts to show this kind of excitement about one of the university’s a capella groups.

Once everyone moved into the ballroom for the main event, all three groups sang “Amazing Grace” and “America, the Beautiful” together. The groups were squished onto a tiny stage and forced to sing in near darkness, which made my job as a photographer increasingly difficult. As if the setting wasn’t bad enough, Kerry had not come out yet, and, therefore, did not see the Tufts students sing. To make up for this let down, Tufts students were given tables and fed the same food for which donors paid three million dollars collectively.

Theresa Heinz Kerry preceded her husband with a speech about college students voting, a relevant, though ironic topic due to the small number students in the audience. At the event, Tufts students were volunteers, guests, singers, and a lone photographer (me). Following his wife’s, Kerry’s energetic speech touched on campaign issues while adding humorous comments at rival George W. Bush’s expense. At the end of the event, the crowd swarmed around Kerry. He shook hands, listened to people and signed autographs. I was one of the first of the Tufts students to get to the front of the crowd and shake his hand. I barely got to say anything before a six-foot giant next to me pushed me out of the way and started to berate Kerry. However, in the two seconds he was in front of me, I met John Kerry. Obviously, I called my friends from home and told them I met John Kerry all because I go to Tufts.