Rock and Roll Never Forgets (The Rock and Roll Trilogy) (12 page)

Rock and Roll Never Forgets

Chapter Eleven

L
ife 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
dart
ed
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 the
y
’
d released the
staff member from their employment. Andy
’
s life has no privacy, therefore mine doesn
’
t either. Sometimes
are
harder than other
time
s
,
b
ut 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 a
s 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!”
a
s 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 j
unior
h
igh
s
chool, 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 s
chool he and Nathan were in a
‘
garage band
’
playing school dances, and he loved it.

After graduation from high s
chool 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
a
t 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, “
w
as 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 o
f
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.

They shared some wine and the conversation continued. Andy was very personable, comfortable, as he answered Norton’s questions, but always in the corner of his eye, he watched as Beth became more at ease with the situation
.

The beach was cool and breezy on that late afternoon, the sun casting off natural sepia light. Because of the time of the year, it wasn’t crowded, and there was just a bit of a nip in the air.

The photographer liked this,
“
This will be great… windblown… not so posed,” he mumbled.
“
More natural…” His assistant set up equipment, and once again, Teena touched up hair and make-up
.

The beach at Oak Street is much like a city park, and the photographer scanned for locations to shoot. First he had Andy lean on a railing that looked out over the beach area. He wore jeans and a black t-shirt, his long brown hair blowing in the breeze. He was very comfortable in front of the camera. Norton watched Beth watching him, and was even more intrigued by her, slipping in little questions in their conversation that he didn’t feel broke the agreement he’d made not to single her out.

There were several of them together at the railing. They then walked down to the beach area. Beth was wearing faded jeans and a black sweater. Walking ahead of them as Andy and Norton talked; they heard the photographer tell Beth,
“
Turn around.”

Suddenly, he was at her side with his hand on her behind. He ran his hand slowly over the curve of her bottom as Beth stood speechless
.

“
Andy, the curve of this…it’s fine! I have to get a shot of that.” He told him, and then looked at Beth for approval
.

She was too shocked to acknowledge him, and heard Andy reply,
“
I think that would be great,” he laughed out loud.
“
It
is
fine!”

“
Beth, walk ahead. When I say
‘s
top
’
, pivot on your left foot about half a turn. Look back over your shoulder, quick. Don
’
t smile, just turn, quick, and look back at me when I say so,” he told her.

She did as he said, and when she looked back Andy and Norton laughed as the photographer snapped off pictures from different angles. Then Beth started to laugh and he took even more. Before he finished he had her lying on the sand to take a few shots. She was a damp, gritty mess, but she had fun.

After the photo shoot was complete they walked to
The Drake.
Andy and Norton went to wait in the lounge while Beth quickly went to shower the sand off. The rest of the
Traveler
gang joined them
and they all walked to
a little café on the beach. They shared a wonderful meal and conversation as Norton talked with all of them for comments for the article. The plan was for the article to run in the December issue
.

The first show was Wednesday evening. During the day as the guys rehearsed and did sound checks, Dina and Beth spent the day sight-seeing and shopping. Roddy called ahead to the legendary
Pump Room
and reserved the famous
‘
Booth One
’
for them. They shared a bottle of wine and dined on Lobster Bisque and
The Pump Room Salad,
just two friends relaxing, and giggling like schoolgirls when they saw several celebrities there
.

When the show began that evening
,
Norton joined the girls and Roddy. Beth and Dina sat on stools to the left of the stage. It was Andy’s birthday, and halfway through the set Nigel began playing the birthday tune and everyone started singing
.

There was a new song that Andy wrote for Beth, “In Your Eyes”
.
Norton saw emotions all over her face when she heard the piano start. Whenever he sang it on stage he looked to find her. She knew when it started to make her way to where he could spot her. Roddy came and stood with her, as did Dina. Norton stood back and watched.

Andy started to hum the first part of the song as he walked toward Beth. With his hand extended, he motioned for her to join him. Reluctantly, she walked out. A light shined on her as Andy reached for her hand. One of the crew brought a stool and she sat while Andy belted out that song, holding her hand in his as he did.

In your eyes I see my life

In your eyes I feel love