Free Rock and Roll Never Forgets (The Rock and Roll Trilogy) by Barbara Stewart Page A

she giggled. Nigel fit the rock star role. He was a partying, fun-loving guy and liked the attention he got from the ladies .
    It was also at this party that Beth met Dane ’ s wife, Candy. She was a looker. She could be described in three words – drop, dead, gorgeous, but she was not at all friendly and kept pretty much to herself throughout the evening, not really socializing with anyone. She was busy watching Dane’s every move like a hawk. Her conversations that evening were only obligatory pleasantries .
    At one point during the evening Dina went to where Beth sat with a glass of wine. “Noticed you drink the same as me,” she said as she sat down beside Beth. She filled her in on things within the band.
    “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 .
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    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