REO SPEEDWAGON GUITARIST

Beverly Wilshire

Beverly Hills, CA

September 30, 2014

Photo credit: One of the guitarists from REO Speedwagon

My date ditched me while we were at a fabulous party and I can’t thank him enough.

I was all dressed up at the Beverly Wilshire attending the Midnight Mission’s 100th Anniversary Golden Hearts Award Gala. My date and I were the only people sitting at our round 10-person table but eventually, three more people arrived. A man and a woman, each with long blonde hair, and a single guy with brown hair and a goatee. They were about 20 years older than we were and wearing black denim and black leather—committing 100% to the rock and roll look. They were cool.

They sat at our table in the chairs directly across from us. My date and I quietly talked amongst ourselves for a few minutes then he, my impulsive friend said, “Okay, I’ll bite. Are you guys in a band?” “Yeah. REO Speedwagon,” the goatee said. Holy Crap! We were kind of kidding. Turns out this was the lead guitarist Dave Amato with the goatee and the bassist Bruce Hall with the girlfriend.

They settled into their seats and we didn't talk again after that first exchange. I didn’t tell them that their enormous hit record, Hi Infidelity, was one of my first records ever—when I was in the fifth grade. I liked their songs and evidently, I wasn’t the only one. It was the best-selling album of 1981 and has sold over 10 million copies worldwide. That catapults it past gold status, past platinum and multi-platinum status to diamond status. Those don't come easy.

We enjoyed a fine meal as we listened to the Mission's inspiring success stories. And, although the room was full, we remained the only five people at our table until after dinner when my date went to walk around and left me sitting alone—and then there were four. Bad move on his part. Without much delay, Dave, the single guy across the table quickly included me in their conversation.

Dessert was served and my new friend with the goatee mentioned especially liking a piece of dark chocolate that was on each plate. It had been arranged with some berries next to a showy slice of cake. That bit of chocolate was just a decorative accompaniment as far as I was concerned. It might as well have been a piece of parsley. So I offered to trade him my chocolate square in exchange for his ornamental raspberries. He smiled and said, “You can have all my berries, blackberries too, without even having to trade.” What a guy. He walked his fruit offering to my side of the table and we talked a bit while he stood by my chair.

“What happened to your date?” he asked. He had been gone longer than a person would expect. “I have no idea,” I said. That’s when Dave invited me to his side of the table. “Come over and sit with us,” he said. It was a reasonable move that just made it easier for the four of us to talk, that’s all. Never mind the flirting.

As it turned out these guys had friends who were supposed to be sitting at our table. “They obviously found seats closer to the stage,” Dave said. Then Ray Parker Jr. walked over. All of a sudden I was in the middle of an 80’s radio revival. It made me wonder who had reserved the other five empty chairs at our table. Maybe Rick Springfield and KISS? Or the Go-Go’s?

After looking at his ticket, it was decided that I was sitting in Mr. Parker Jr.’s chair. “Would you like your seat back?” I asked. “No. Keep it,” he quickly replied. “You are much better looking than I am.” Hey, thanks, Ray Parker Jr! That’s a nice compliment and it means a lot coming from you. I didn’t tell him that I had a crush on him in the 80s, but who didn’t like this talented hunk-of-a-man with the velvety voice? No, I kept all those early teenage memories to myself.

Over 700 guests were in attendance for this special event including quite an assemblage of high-profile stars, Carrie Fisher, Richie Sambora, and Dick Van Dyke to name three, but I wasn’t in the mood to ask anyone to take my picture. However, as people do when they are celebrating, my new friends and I took a couple of pictures of ourselves to preserve the moment. I don't remember who took which photo as we passed the camera around but I think these are fun.

And though it was incredibly rude for my date to abandon me at a party, our relationship wasn’t at a point where it mattered much. That said, what are the chances that I’d be left alone with three amazing musicians standing by to serenade me with their chart-topping love songs and power ballads? I was a damsel in distress as far as they could tell. Exactly their target market.

It was like a music video: Open on a young woman who is dressed up and enjoying her time at a ritzy party when her date walks away with no explanation leaving her destined for a lonely night. The music starts and an incredibly famous band, who just happens to be sitting at her table, steps in to save her. Of course, this band is known for their emotional relationship anthems. They break into song and after his first solo, the lead guitarist invites the girl to join him and his friends. She nods, wipes a tear, and leaves her side of the table to go to his. Music legend, Ray Parker Jr. is there and gives up his seat to her and next thing you see, this not-so-lonely girl and the guitarist are laughing, taking pictures, and sharing his dessert.

Quite a while later, Dave saw my date walking across a landing above our dining area and pointed him out. “There goes your friend.” Dramatic pause. “He looks like a jerk,” he said protectively. I smiled. In my imaginary video, this is where the music would crescendo and Dave would break into his second guitar solo.

Back in the 80s I never would have guessed I’d be living a real music video with these guys. I’d like to send a letter to my teenage self and tell her to pay closer attention to the guitarists in REO Speedwagon, “Because one day in the future, you’ll be out at a glamorous event and your date will walk away leaving you all alone. But not to worry,” I’d tell her, “REO’s lead guitarist will swoop in and rescue you from a lonely night. And so will Ray Parker Jr. You’ll have much more fun with these legendary artists than you would have had with that first guy anyway. Just wait.”

Thanks for bringing me into your group that night, Dave. It was a chivalrous act and though you didn’t ride in on a stallion with a spotlight and a fog machine, the evening had all the makings of a teenage girl’s rock and roll fantasy. If you ever want to shoot this video let me know and I'll clear my calendar.

Photo credit: Me

Photo credit: One of the guitarists from REO Speedwagon