I figured even Madonna didn’t have this caliber of security so it was unlikely tonight was my night to die.
And that made the gig al the more sweet.
My glance slid to Floyd and I gave him the nod.
It was time.
We were going to deviate from the set list. Everyone in the band knew about it.
Everyone, that was, but Buzz.
Floyd caught Leo’s eye and Leo lifted his chin just as Hugo caught on and grinned, stepping toward a microphone.
Buzz was looking at his boots.
The band might be on fire but Buzz was only swept up in the flame, he wasn’t participating much in building it higher.
His mind was on other things.
I took my eyes off Buzz, looked at the crowd and wrapped my hand around the microphone with a toss of my hair.
This was Pong and Leo’s cue.
Pong’s sticks clicked on the drums, Leo started the first chords and I knew without looking that Buzz had clued in.
He couldn’t help but clue in. We al knew what those clicks and strums meant.
“This one’s for Linnie,” I told the crowd.
Everyone screamed; the wave of sound hit the band, firing us up al the more even though most people probably had no idea who Linnie was. They didn’t care, any song that was for someone was going to be something. And this song, a song we rarely ever played, they knew would rock the whole f**king house.
I glanced at Buzz and found his face was pale but his eyes were on me and they were shining. I looked away, knowing if I kept looking at him I’d lose it, just as Hugo’s deep voice started smoothly delivering the lyrics.
And the lyrics were to ZZ Top’s kil er, kickass “La Grange”.
Hugo sang.
A few more strums, a few more clicks.
I felt it in my bel y, like I always felt it in my bel y just like I knew Linnie always felt it in her bel y.
Wait for it… my brain breathed in anticipation.
Pong’s drums went wild and Leo’s soft guitar went solid.
The crowd surged in and my stomach plunged.
This is what it’s all about. This is what Linnie lived for, my brain told me what I already knew, because I understood Linnie. I lived for it too.
Hugo’s velvet voice slid back in, “Have mercy…” then he smoothed through the “haw haws” and then delivered the lyrics.
When it was time, Pong rounded out the beat; I went front stage and started to blow the lid off.
“Have mercy,” Hugo finished, stepped back with a big, white smile at me and I rol ed.
I walked the stage, eyes on the crowd, Leo and Pong setting the rhythm. I watched the crowd throb, the heads bob, the bodies sway, the hands in the air jacking out the beat. I smiled wide at them. They were asking for it and, as usual, I gave it to them. It was the only good thing I had to give, I was generous with the gift and they sucked it right up.
Leo stopped, Pong and I took turns, Leo cut in and I cut out, leaving it to Leo and Pong.