“I never feel secure,” she said finally, feeling the need to explain.
“Why?" he asked, stroking her hair.
“I’m not glamorous. I’m not a groupie. I’m surely not beautiful. I’m just a girl, Andy, just a plain’ol, simple girl.”
He buried his face in her neck, and kissed lightly. “The girl I love,” he said as he held her, gently rocking her in his arms.
“Why me Andy?”
He pulled her legs around, pulling her on his lap. He thought a minute, and turned her to face him. “When I walked into the room that night in Orlando, I saw those eyes and they captured me. It was like I could see your heart, and I knew it was a good heart. You crawled into my soul, became part of me. I saw the inner beauty, and regardless of what you think, the outside wasn’t bad either,” he laughed.
“We started talking,” he continued, “And you mesmerized me. I felt as though you were allowing me to see what made you tick. It was like I had known you forever, and I liked it, a lot. I’ve enjoyed our late night phone calls more than I can tell you. You’re a real person, a smart, beautiful woman. Not some giggly bimbo trying to get my attention. Those are the kind of women I meet, the ones who constantly surround me. You and I had a meaningful conversation. I think I fell in love with you at that moment. There was no one there that night but you; no one who mattered anyway.”
He looked into her eyes and pulled her to him. “Let’s go have that coffee,” he whispered in her ear. They went to the kitchen, and the coffee was good. It seemed to pour life back into her tired body.
“I don’t know how to make you more comfortable in this relationship, Bethy, except to tell you that I love you. It’s you and me, my love.” He reached across the table and took her hand. “We should get ready for the funeral,” he said.
She looked at him, and peered into those eyes that seemed to see her soul.
“I love you,” he said, and again she cried.
~ ~ ~
That misunderstanding helped Andy realize that he needed to gently ease her into his lifestyle. He didn’t realize how hard it was for her until then. Now it was their life, no longer just his, and he needed to remember that. He knew it was hard, the road, the travel, the lack of privacy, the hours, the female fans, all of it. He had to help her adjust, because it was important to him. Because she was important to him.
73
Rock and Roll Never Forgets
Chapter Ten
The two years that followed were some of the very best and busiest times in their lives. Traveler’s following grew larger with each song they released. It was exciting to go from the smaller venues as the opening group, to being the main headliner. Shows were selling out all over the U.S.
Beth made some big changes during that time. Nana Morgan’s family had been big in the citrus business for many years. As Nana and Pappy got older it became too much for them to manage. Pops was their only child and he and Beth’s brothers had other interests. They sold the business and much of the land. Nana and Pappy led a comfortable life and set aside money for their grandchildren. After Nana’s death, Pappy sold their home and moved in with Beth’s parents. He made arrangements for all the grandkids to receive a part of their inheritance.
Pops helped Beth invest some of the money. They were selling the apartments where she lived as condominiums. She took part of her inheritance and purchased her unit. It was a place for her to return to when she didn’t travel with Andy, so she was close to her family. They worked together to make it comfortable for Andy when he was there. It was important that it was home to him, also.
Their relationship grew stronger and Beth finally began to feel more confident, more secure. She left her job, feeling that it was time. Things were happening in the economy, her company was downsizing and after a lot of thought she resigned. It was a huge step. Giving up her source of income was scary. She knew she had Nana’s money but she still worried. Pops did as well, and he told Andy so. Andy assured him that he would take care of her.
It was very different to give all of her time to Andy. It was exciting, scary, and wonderful all at the same time. When they weren’t on the road they went back and forth from Andy’s home in Galveston to the condo in Florida. There were also many wonderful trips to the cottage on Eleuthera. Beth was happy there…
June 15, 1980 ~ These times when we escape to the island are always peaceful… romantic. The beach means solitude. It’s just us there, peaceful and quiet, us.
Together, they purchased a chalet in the mountains of Colorado. They went there to ski, but being a ‘Florida girl,’ the cold didn’t appeal to Beth as much as it did Andy. They needed places to retreat, and unlike the cottage in Eleuthera, this was theirs and they could share it with others. It was in an area where other celebrities resided, so it was comfortable there. They could get out and about, shop and dine, with very little interruption.
They spent many weekends combing antique stores and shopping to set up the chalet in a comfortable way that they both wanted. She wanted a homey and warm feel, but comfortable for Andy, and a play place for everyone else. It was a retreat, so they worked together to make it a fun place.
It was a gypsy lifestyle. They didn’t really live any place but out of a suitcase. Beth learned that she needed five of everything, one at the condo, one in Galveston, one in her travel bag, one at the chalet, and one in Eleuthera. She’d always thought of herself as a ‘homebody’, a ‘nester’, so this new lifestyle was an adjustment, but she did it because she would have done anything to be with Andy.
Traveler outgrew their bus and purchased two custom coaches for touring. This was a big step, a measure of their success. At a show in Detroit, when rap music was first getting started, Andy was telling the audience about the buses between songs. Nathan and Mark started a beat and Andy laughed. It was “Rapper’s Delight” by the SugarHill Gang, and Andy began singing; “Everybody go hotel, motel, Holiday Inn…” and the crowd went crazy singing along.
With the new coaches came more space and Beth traveled with Andy more. They now had some privacy. With the old bus there were just seats and bunks, and everyone was pretty much together all the time. Usually it was fine, but Dane made it known he didn’t like Beth being there. Beth knew why. Her presence made him feel as though he didn’t have the old freedom he experienced. She inhibited his freewheeling lifestyle, and he resented it. Dina came only occasionally and none of the other guys had steadies. Dane’s dislike of her being with Andy made it tense at times. Beth made a point to stay out of his way, but even that caused tension between Andy and Dane. The thing was; Andy wanted Beth with him. The new coaches made it easier, so she went.
~ ~ ~
In January 1981, the band began working on their fifth album. This became a trying period. There was chaos that finally brought things to a head. Dane’s free lifestyle finally caught up with him. He was using drugs and no one was happy with that. Candy left him and they went through a very nasty, very public separation, followed by an even nastier, more public divorce. It kept everyone on edge. The fighting within the group got bad. Finally, Dane left, by mutual agreement. The bad publicity with the divorce, the drugs and the masses of women Dane chose to keep made it rough. The band didn’t want his lifestyle associated with their reputation. It was an unpleasant time, but everyone came through unscathed.
It took a few months and many auditions, but the guys found a guitar player named John Smith to fill Dane’s place in the band. John was from another group called Expend that had recently disbanded. Everyone had a good laugh over his name. Sometimes they called him, ‘Dear John,’ but mostly, because he was so tall, they called him ‘Stretch.’ They got busy and the album was once again in the works.
After this, a special time of settling followed. It seemed the scenario with Dane made it feel like it was time. Both Nigel and Mark were in relationships. Nigel was in a relationship with a girl he’d met during their last bit of downtime. He and Christy rolled into the life togeth
er quickly and would be married in September.
Mark met someone who made him think about settling down as well. Anna was an accountant he met when he was working on some financial business. Mark introduced her to the group as a ‘bean counter’, and earned her the nickname, ‘Bean’. Anna and Christy traveled with the band often, Anna more than Christy, and Beth enjoyed the female company.
It wasn’t just the guys settling down though, Kimmy was too. She met a guy, Lane Parker, and their relationship blossomed quickly. Everyone knew marriage was in their future. They were a perfect match; both tall, blonde and athletic. Kimmy settled into that relationship fast, in a big way. Lane was a pharmacist and a Traveler fan, which made him and Kimmy being around even more fun.
~ ~ ~
September 12, 1981~ Time is flying by, but I’m enjoying every second of it. The next album, Continuing, a name they chose to let the fans know the changes in the band hadn’t held them back, is in the completion stages. But this means they’ll be going out on the road soon, the first time out with Stretch. They worked together to write their own material for this album. They pulled some of the original songs because of conflict with Dane, but some new exciting ones emerged. There are more ballads than the hard rock they’re known for. They were anxious about that. ‘Will the fans like it?’ they wonder…
Beth sat in on recording sessions and wondered how they couldn’t like it, they were beautiful, but they still had a rock and roll feel. Andy and Mark produced it, an anxious first for them as well. On several of the songs they recorded with the orchestra from Andy and Nathan’s high school. It was a very special experience. They practiced and worked with the kids, who were so in awe. Each of them would have their name listed on the album credits and they were very excited. The kids on violins were a beautiful addition. After recording with the kids was complete, the band threw a huge pizza party at the school as a way to say ‘thank you’, followed by a sizable donation, a “give back” they called it, to the school’s music department.
When they began touring again, Andy would fly Kimmy and Lane to join them when they could. Beth loved the times when Kimmy could be there. With four brothers, Kimmy was the sister Beth longed for but never had.
Beth was becoming more and more comfortable in her role as ‘Andy’s girlfriend’. Most of the time she sat with Roddy on a stool in the wings when the guys performed, and she liked it there just fine. She also liked being with Roddy, they’d grown into a comfortable friendship over the years and she enjoyed his company.
From her spot she could see everything that was happening. It became known as her ‘perch.’ There were a few times Andy dragged her on the stage to sing to her. It was a nerve-wracking experience at first, but special, and most times it just made her laugh.
77
Rock and Roll Never Forgets
Chapter Eleven
Life lived in the spotlight was never something Beth anticipated, prepared for, or welcomed. It was Andy’s life and she loved him, so she learned to live with whatever the spotlight brought.
October 1, 1981 ~ I am finally getting used to seeing my picture in print, and all that goes with it. It isn’t normal, but I’m adjusting the best I can. Reading the untruths they print is hard, but it seems it’s part of this life. I have never done an interview, yet there were quotes; “Andy’s girl Bethy says…” There will be a picture of me with a scowl and headlines that read that we’ve had some big blow up, or we’ve split. How do they get those pictures anyway? All of a sudden there’s this picture. Sometimes I see one and remember where I was or what I was doing at the time, but I never remember seeing anyone around to take it. Sometimes they are just right there in our face with Andy pushing our way through a crowd.
My favorite piece appeared on the front page of a National Enquirer. I was standing in line at the grocery checkout and saw a picture of myself. It was Andy with his arm around my shoulder, as we darted out of the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. Inside were another picture and a short paragraph that read:
Demanding Diva ~ “Bethy, The Diva, and Traveler’s Golden Eye, Andy Stevens, seen leaving San Francisco’s famed St. Francis Hotel. A hotel staff member tells us that the couple checked out after Bethy demanded Egyptian cotton sheets and towels that the hotel did not have. It is also reported that she demands fresh roses in her room every day.”
Diva? That brought a laugh from everyone who knows me. If I were that demanding it would be Calla Lilies! We did stay there, and slept on whatever sheets were on the bed. What I hate most is that they made me sound spoiled. The St. Francis contacted Roddy to apologize and let him know they’d released the staff member from their employment. Andy’s life has no privacy, therefore mine doesn’t either. Sometimes are harder than other times, but it’s part of this lifestyle.
~ ~ ~
In early October, 1981, Traveler’s tour schedule took them to ‘the Windy City’ for a week, two sold-out shows, and a meeting with Andy and famed writer, Norton Edwards, for an article for Rolling Stone magazine.
As Roddy made arrangements for their meeting, he relayed Andy’s wishes to Norton; he wanted Beth there, but she was off-limits for the interview. The article was on Andy; Beth wasn’t ready for that kind of exposure, and Andy didn’t want her singled out in any way. After Norton agreed, the plan was for them to meet Tuesday at the Billy Goat Tavern, one of Chicago’s legends, for lunch to start the process.
Norton interviewed many celebs over the years, but this was the first time Andy had agreed to an interview. Meeting at a fun place would make it easier for Beth. The Billy Goat is famous from the Saturday Night Live skits with John Belushi, Dan Ackroyd, Loraine Newman and Bill Murray. A driver dropped them at the restaurant and as soon as they were in the door, the fun started.
A big Saturday Night Live fan, Andy walked to the counter and ordered “Cheezborger! Cheezborger! No fries, cheeps! No Pepsi, Coke!” as Beth looked on laughing.
Andy and Norton talked for a long time; Andy was very comfortable talking about himself, his career, the band, even what he wanted to share about his relationship with Beth. She listened intently as Andy told about the early years. He told about his mom making him take piano lessons as a child, and then participating in the choir at church. But it was school that played a key role in developing his passion for music. He joined the school jazz band in junior high school, first playing the drums. It was there that he met Nathan Perry and Dina Miller, who would become Nathan’s wife shortly after high school. That experience progressed into a real love of music that led to guitar. By the time he was in high school he and Nathan were in a ‘garage band’ playing school dances, and he loved it.
After graduation from high school in 1969, Andy and Nathan met Scott Force and they formed the band, Traveler. Nathan, Scott and Andy were the original band, and then Dane Allen and Nigel Rose joined. They played at bars in the Houston area in the early ‘70s. The response was good. They kept busy and developed a huge local following.
In 1974, they won a local bar band competition and the prize was an opportunity to record a song. They wrote a song called “Traveler”, recorded it, and released it to local radio stations only. Word of mouth had the request lines as far away as Tucson requesting them. And that, as Andy said, “was that.” He talked briefly about the parting of Scott Force and Dane Allen and Mark Jones and John Smith’s arrival in their places. He was very positive in his words, nothing negative.
Beth joined the conversation because Andy would include her in questions, more like conversation, but she pretty much “yes’d and no’d” and let Andy do the talking.
Norton watched, curious, when she spoke, intrigued, watching her watch Andy so intently, watching him with so much love, watching her guard fall and her laughter surface. And he wanted to talk to her, but respected Andy’s wishes.
The article would have pictures, so they loaded into a limo and proceeded to the photographer’s studio. On the way there, conversation continued.
�
�I like this, it’s like people just talking,” Beth said. “It’s not at all like the interview I anticipated.”
Norton smiled and replied, “Good, that’s the way I like my interviews to feel. I’m glad you’re comfortable.”
Andy reached over and squeezed her knee.
“You’ll spend a few minutes with Teena Michaels, she’s a make-up artist, just to add some ‘polish’ to the shine,” Norton told Beth.
“Polish,” Beth laughed, “I like it!”
Andy had some ‘dusting’ too, before he and Norton continued talking while waiting for Beth. When she finally emerged Andy smiled and let out a loud wolf-whistle.
“You look beautiful,” he told her as he kissed her neck, “I don’t want to mess up the artistry,” he laughed.
Beth laughed, throwing her head back as she did, and Andy kissed her neck again. Her laugh was a pleasant sound, she seemed to let her shyness slip away. Norton watched and took mental notes.
The photographer chose to do some color and some black and white shots. Many snaps of the camera went off, as he took shot after shot. They changed clothes several times, and each time meant a touch up of hair and make-up. With the studio photos done, they loaded back into the limo to go to Oak Street Beach, near The Drake where they were staying.
Rock and Roll Never Forgets (The Rock and Roll Trilogy) Page 9