After Rick Lang helped Al Hackner capture their second world men's curling title in 1985, they were returning home to Thunder Bay after a promotional visit to Toronto.
On the flight, Lang was approached by a woman, who wanted to know if he was 'that' rock star.
After several denials that he was Mick Jagger (he does look somewhat like him), the woman said she wouldn't tell anyone else that he was on the plane if he signed an autograph.
"I kept telling her I wasn't Mick Jagger but she didn't believe me,'' said Lang, who is at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts Canadian women's curling championship as the coach of Krista McCarville's team from Thunder Bay, which includes his wife Lorraine at lead. "I gave her an autograph and signed it Mick Jagger.
"I have been to a few Rolling Stones concerts but I have never met Mick. Some people don't see the resemblance between me and Mick but my son Adam says I look just like him. I used to do a bit of a Mick Jagger act at the Brier Patch but I'm too old for that now. I used to dance a little but I can't sing a note.''
Lang has won three different Canadian Curling Association championships, starting with the 1975 Tim Hortons Brier with Bill Tetley. He also won the 1981 Canadian mixed in Winnipeg with his soon-to-be wife Lorraine, two more Briers with Hackner (1982 and 1985) and the Canadian senior men's title in 2006, again with Hackner.
"It was a bit of an adjustment when Rick decided to coach our team this year,'' said Lorraine. "But with his experience, it sure does help to have him come out and pick out the shot or look at the angles. He is also very good when it comes to strategy or the mechanics of throwing rocks.''
At the age of 52, Lorraine is the oldest player in the 12-team competition and she says she keeps playing at this level because of her team.
"I really enjoy curling with this team. If it wasn't for them, I probably wouldn't be playing any more. Playing on a competitive women's team forces me to keep is shape.''
Lorraine won two Scotties championships, curling for Heather Houston, and the world championship in 1989. The Houston team also lost one world final to Andrea Schopp of Germany.
"About five years ago, my daughter Sarah needed a coach for her junior team,'' said Rick. "That is what got me started. Sarah won the Northern Ontario junior women's title last year. She lost the provincial final this year.
"I don't miss curling at the men's level any more because those guys are so good now and they are playing in another league. I know where I belong and it is at the senior level.''
Rick joked about the secret to having a 28-year marriage to Lorraine.
"After we won the mixed in 1981 [over Rick Folk in the final], I haven't curled with my wife since. I guess that is why our marriage has lasted so long.''
With Rick and Lorraine working and playing on competitive teams, they never have found the time to go back to mixed.
The McCarville team, with Tara George at third and Kari MacLean at second, have a 2-3 record after losing a close one to Jennifer Jones and her Team ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ mates from Winnipeg.
McCarville lost her opener of the day 5-3 to Andrea Kelly of New Brunswick.
