Rock and Roll Never Forgets (The Rock and Roll Trilogy) (8 page)

“Candy’s lack of trust has reason,” she said in a hushed tone. “Dane likes women - a lot, but it causes a lot of stress within the band.” She didn’t need to add more; Beth already figured that out.

Around ten, everyone experienced one of Dane and Candy’s “explosions,” as Dina referred to it. They’d had words, and Candy left in dramatic fashion, slamming door and all.

Beth liked Dina’s frank, open nature. As they talked Dina offered some advice
;
“
Don
’
t ever give up your own life, ya know,” she told Beth, as she sipped her wine.
“
Make sure you keep your own circle of friends. Keep them close, and stay in touch with them. This is a crazy lifestyle. You never know when you may need them.”

Andy spent the evening reminiscing with friends, and introducing Beth to them. The guys were excitedly talking about their upcoming journey to Japan. They had five concerts and the
n they would come home for the
Grammys
. The tour would be done. They were all looking forward to some off time, ready for a life off the road, but everyone knew that during any down time they’d be working on music for the next album. It had already begun. It would be called
Divinity
.

~ ~ ~

Dina knew of Beth before she met her. She’d heard about her laugh before she heard it, knew of her wit before she experienced it, her smile before she saw it. Nathan was so taken by Beth and the change in Andy that he shared all of it with his wife
.

Dina
hoped, and she
prayed
-
Andy was a good friend and she truly hoped that he had met the woman Nathan described as, “his match.” He wasn’t like the other guys, more a loner and not the player like Dane. Dina loved him, and wanted him to find happiness; happ
iness
like she and Nathan
had.

Dina, Nathan and Andy had been friends since school, and she’d been through many girlfriends with him. Nathan was so excited about Beth that Dina could hardly wait to meet her. Nathan told her she was an “it girl!” 

“She’s got it Dina, I mean it! She’s pretty, she’s fun, she’s full of life, and she has the best laugh. Andy melts when she’s
around,
”
h
e told her.

She was anxious to meet this young woman she had heard so much about. And she realized when she did that Beth did have “it”… But Dina knew they’d all have different definitions of “it.”

As it got closer to midnight, Andy went to Beth. The countdown began on TV as everyone watched the ball dropped on the
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve
program… ten, nine, eight, the excitement was building.
Three, two, one… Happy New Year, 1979! Andy took Beth in his arms, and kissed her.

January
1, 1979 ~
As this new day, and this New Year began, I realized I was crazy in love with this man, I’m excited, and terrified
.

53

Rock and Roll Never Forgets

Chapter Eight

T
he
Grammys
were approaching fast. The closer it got the more excited Beth was, but her attire for the evening caused great stress, to the point of tears at times. Kimmy and Beth shopped every weekend, looking through lots of dresses. Over-eager sales associates showed her many dresses
and the price tags on them over
whelmed her. This was all so new to her.

January 18, 1979 ~
What I choose is a big deal, and
it has
to be perfect. It’s not like you shop for stuff like that every day. And it
’
s not every day a girl gets to go to the Grammy Awards on the arm of a Rock and Roll God!

To ease
Be
th
’s
stress, Kimmy tried to make it memorable, taking her camera so they’d be able to remember the experience forever. They giggled and laughed in dressing rooms as they both tried on fancy dresses
.

Andy told Beth when she found what she wanted to call Roddy to take care of the bill. They narrowed it down to three choices - two gowns and a jumpsuit. Beth couldn’t decide. She went back and forth many times, and finally, left the final decision up to Kimmy. Kimmy would send her choice on to L.A. Beth had no idea what she would be wearing until she got there. It was unnerving and fun all at the same time!

Traveler
began their tour of Japan in Osaka with two shows and then journeyed to Yokohama for a night. They ended the tour in Tokyo with two sold-out shows. They were in Japan for ten days and it was a successful jaunt. The tour was done and they were heading home.

Andy flew to Florida so he and Beth could travel to Houston together. Exhausted from the time difference, concert meltdown, and little sleep, Andy spent the next few days
relaxing
, while Beth fi
nished up some things at work. He
suggested Beth leave her job and come on the road with him, but she wasn
’
t ready. She liked what she was doing, and, to that point had been able to work around the time needed for their relationship
.

While in Houston, the weather was beautiful and they crammed a lot into the time they were there. Andy had business to tend to, so Phyllis and Beth spent a lot of time together.

The three of them were able to carve out a fun-day. A side-trip to the Houston Zoo was great fun. Following the Zoo was a wonderful evening out at a little Cajun restaurant that Phyllis and Andy loved called
One Crazy Cajun.
It was a fun, little off the beaten path place with Cajun music, including an accordion player, and a huge dance floor. Beth looked around, and noticed pictures of Andy and the
Traveler
guys with the owner and staff of the restaurant all over the walls. The owners made a big deal over their local celebrity. People came to the table to say hello, but it wasn’t like an interruption. Most were people who Andy and Phyllis knew and they were stopping by to congratulate him or just say hello
.

February 12, 1979 ~
The food was wonderful but dessert was what Andy was craving. He ordered peach cobbler and said he’d “crawl over a dozen naked women to get it” - I made a mental note! The accordion player played some upbeat Cajun music and Andy pulled me to the dance floor, and I loved every second!

Before they left for L.A. there was a small get together at Andy’s home with the guys and some friends, even Phyllis came. Andy sent a limo to pick her up and she loved it. Caterers were there, so all anyone had to do was eat, drink, and be merry, and there was much
‘
merry
’
. It was an evening full of excitement, and some nervousness about the award
ceremonies
. This was
Traveler
’s
first accolade. “The real honor is just in being nominated.” Andy told her.

~ ~ ~

It was beautiful in Los Angeles when they arrived, sunny and warm, even for California. Limos took them to the Beverly Hilton hotel, greeted like royalty as they arrived; Beth was in awe of all of it.

On the day of the award ceremonies,
Andy treated her to a trip to a spa with Dina. She wanted to look sophisticated
, b
ut it was important that it wasn’t anything too much.

I
n the limo on the way to there
for pampering, Beth told Dina, “I’ve never been to a spa.”

“It’ll be
grand
!” Dina laughed, “They’ll scrub you, pluck you, wrap you, color you, massage you, and fill you full of champagne!”

They talked, laughed, and sipped champagne while being pampered from head to toe. When they returned, Beth entered the room to find Andy was already in his tuxedo.

February 15, 1979 ~ He absolutely takes my breath away… He is so handsome, and
oh my god,
I am so in love!

Beth unzipped the bag and held her breath. “I honestly have no idea what is in this bag,” she laughed. “I couldn’t make up my mind, so Kimmy picked it!”

Roddy had it pressed before having it sent to the room. All Beth needed to do was slip in. She was anxious as she opened the bag, and happy to find what she did. It was her favorite all along, but she wasn
’
t sure if it was just right. Anxious for Andy
’
s reaction, she slipped into the long black silky fabric. It felt good against her skin. Looking in the mirror for inspection, she saw Andy behind her.

“
I feel like a princess,” Beth sighed. Andy walked closer and put his hands on her bare shoulders. The dress was black silk, with a bandeau top and empire waist. It was very plain and simple, straight, with a flowing flare at the floor. “Simple but very elegant,” the sales woman had said. There was a wrap that went with it to drape over her arms.

“Kimmy did good,” he said. Still standing behind her, his hands slid down her arms. “You look like a goddess, and smell like heaven,” he told her as he nuzzled her neck. He turned and went to a nearby table and returned to slip a necklace around her neck. It was the same teardrop as the earrings only bigger
.

He kissed the back of her neck as he latched it and whispered in her ear, “I’ve been saving this since Christmas. I want you to glitter from head to toe. I want to see the sparkle in your eyes all over you.” He kissed her neck again. “So beautiful…”

Beth looked in the mirror; the necklace was perfect with the dress, and she loved it. She turned into him, and knew Andy liked what he saw.

Everyone was already gathered in the lobby when Andy and Beth arrived. A limo was waiting and they all climbed in. Dina hugged Beth and whispered in her ear; “You look so beautiful!”

Dina thought about Beth telling her that Kimmy picked what she was wearing for the evening, and that she would have no idea what it was until she opened the garment bag. Dina wondered who she could ever entrust that task to, and remembered that Beth was a different spirit, another reason she stood out. Watching Beth, Dina smiled. She noticed that she’d turned from a wide-eyed ingénue into a beauty before her eyes. It wasn’t a girl who slid in the limo beside Andy that night; it was a beautiful young woman. She was on the arm of the man she loved, and Dina hoped that it would stay that way
forever
.

The limo ride to the event was fun. Mark went solo and Nigel was with the
‘
date du jour
’
. There was champagne on ice and everyone shared a glass and a toast. When they arrived it was wild, like nothing Beth had ever experienced before. There were photographers and TV crews everywhere, as well as the fans waiting to catch a glimpse. She watched, anxiously, as celebrities from the music industry made their way into the auditorium. Andy smiled, took her hand, and squeezed it.

There were flashes of light
all around them
. It was crazy with
paparazzi all trying to get
the best
photographs
, and reporters and TV personalities scrambling
to get a word from all the celebrities. A reporter from
BillBoard
magazine stopped Andy to talk about “Forbidden Place”
.
He chose instead to talk about
“In My World”
the first single that would be released from the upcoming album
.

There’d been talk and speculation from the critics, and everyone felt sure that Andy and
Traveler
would win the award that evening. As they entered the auditorium, Beth asked, “Are you nervous?”

He seemed to just be enjoying the moment, and replied, “Nah, I’ve got the best lookin’ date in the place.
Whatever happens, happens;
I’m just happy for the nomination.” The guys had been on TV before but this was their first time at any kind of awards ceremonies and they were having fun.

They were all seated together, Dina to Beth’s left, Andy to her right, and Roddy on his right. Beth looked around excitedly. She was taking it all in, making a mental note of where she was, who
,
and what she could see. She wanted to remember it forever and giggled. Andy put his arm around her shoulder, and gave her a squeeze. The night was full of excitement. Finally, it was time.

Mindy McNabb, an actress, came to the stage to call out the nominees for Song
o
f
t
he Year. She read the list;
“And the nominees are, “
What a Fool Believes”
, Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald, songwriters, performed by the
Doobie Brothers
,
“
Forbidden Place”, Andy Stevens songwriter, performed by
Traveler.
” Beth could hardly breathe as Andy held her hand, and they waited.
             

“And the Grammy goes to… “
What a Fool Believes”,
she shouted.

Andy squeezed Beth’s hand and leaned to whisper in her ear.
“
It’s OK, really, smile,” he nodded to a camera pointed toward them
.

The Song
of t
he Year was one of the last awards given. As everyone exited the auditorium, the
Traveler
entourage made their way to a waiting limo. The group was excited to attend some of the parties around town.

Andy whispered in Beth’s ear, “Would you mind if we by-passed the parties?”

“No, not at all, whatever you want to do,” she replied. The limo dropped them at the hotel and the others continued on to the evening
’
s events
.

When they arrived, Andy made a call for dinner, and started some music. Beth kicked off her shoes and reached to take her earrings off.

“
Wait, please,” Andy said as he moved closer.
“
Don’t change yet. I want to look at you a while longer.” He took her in his arms, and kissed her.

Beth snuggled against him,
“
Are you disappointed? About the award I mean”.

He hugged tighter and shushed her,
“
No, uh unh, I didn
’
t really expect to win, first nomination,” he whispered. He took her hand walked with her to the sofa. They sat together and shared a glass of wine
.

Finally, there was a knock at their door. Andy allowed a young man into the room. He pushed a cart in, and the room filled with wonderful smells as he set the table. When he left Andy returned to where Beth waited. He took her hand in his, leading her to the table. He poured more wine, and they shared a wonderful meal as they chatted about the evening.

When they finished, Andy rose and took Beth’s hand in his. He held her in his arms and they moved together to the music playing softly in the background.
“
I’m so glad you were there with me.” He stopped, held her at arm’s length, looking at her in a way that made her melt; she looked away. He turned her back to face him.
“
You are so beautiful,” he said in a sweet whisper.

“
I
’
m just a girl,” Beth laughed, “nothing special.” Andy kissed the top of her head and pulled her close
.

“
Oh, but you are.” With his hands on her neck, his thumbs gently caressed her cheeks. He smiled, kissed her, and once again looked into her soul,
“
and I’m in love with you, Bethy.”

59