I sent away to Sheila E.'s web site, like, six months ago for an autographed picture. Guess what came in the mail today?!?!

It is a recent pic of Sheila wearing a "peace sign" t-shirt under a black leather coat. It is a nice picture - and she looks fantastic! The strange thing is that the dedication and signature are written backwards (and on the left side of the photo) - like you can read it written correctly if held up to a mirror. Is this odd - or something that might be explained because she is left-handed?

She always autographs backwards. I have 3 items that she has signed over a 20 year period and they are all signed backwards. I don't know the reason though.

At the book signing event I went to, she talked about how she learned to play percussion by mimicking her father when he was practicing-- she would do a mirror image of her father's hand movements, so it looked like she was playing "backwards". I'm not sure if the backwards autograph is a reference to that. I noticed that when she autographed my copy of the book, she wrote my name backwards, too.

duggalolly said:

At the book signing event I went to, she talked about how she learned to play percussion by mimicking her father when he was practicing-- she would do a mirror image of her father's hand movements, so it looked like she was playing "backwards". I'm not sure if the backwards autograph is a reference to that. I noticed that when she autographed my copy of the book, she wrote my name backwards, too.

Mine too!

I think I once read that Sheila is inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, who also wrote in mirror image...

She posted this on facebook last month:

https://www.facebook.com/SheilaEDrummer/posts/863669330312146

Then there's her song "Mona Lisa"

And finally, her 2nd album had this whole "Italian Renaissance" theme...

She must be a fan of this period...

In her book, she mentions writing backwards in the condensation of her school bus window. She said over the years she became fluent in doing this.

I too have an autographed pic of Sheila and it's backwards. I honestly think it's unique and cool as hell!

I got some drumsticks she signed backwards. Still can't believe the only thing I could come up with to say to her was that she made me wanna go back to the gym.

At her book signings, she autographs at the page of your choice. It was interesting to see her sign at the page with the "River God" lyric on the first page of Ch. 6.