LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
It's hot & humid in the California desert. Along
I-10 West came a tour bus & 9 motorcycles going to
their next to last stop, LA. They had two concerts; a
waterpark & The Hollywood Bowl. When the band headed
to Anaheim to their hotel, the desk clerk had a
telegram for Joe.
"Probably another female fan." he quipped. He
looked @ it & was from Claire & Andy wanting them to
pick them up @ the airport. So Joe borrowed Frank's
bike/sidecar & drove off.
At the airport, Joe waited around Gate #35 as a
plane arrived from Philadelphia landed. Amongst the
people he spotted Claire & Andy. They hugged.
"I can't believe my baby Matty's getting
married." cried Claire, "What a success he made for
himself."
"So cool to come back!" exclaimed Andy asking,
"Joe, you think you could ask Frank if I could jam on
a song @ the waterpark concert? I wanna impress the
babes!"
"You're not stripping to that swimwear!" snapped
Claire.
"Mom, I'm 16 years old!" complained Andy.
"Claire, let Andy grow up." said Joe telling him,
"I'll se what I can do."
After getting their luggage, Joe got a cab as he
& Andy loaded the luggage. Claire got in the cab &
instructed the driver to go to the Anaheim Hotel. Joe
wanted Andy with him as they went to the motorcycle.
"OK, 16 year old dude, drive me." said Joe
getting in the sidecar, "You're a Roman brother & not
only are we musicians, but motorcyclists."
"Cool!" exclaimed Andy putting on a helmet a
mounting on. After leaving the airport, Andy drove
fast & safely.
Meanwhile, the Andretti family went to visit The
Mighty Ducks Museum. It had exhibits of the famous
hockey team + the movie team, including an autographed
jersey from Joshua Jackson. During the visit, a PR
from the team spotted Ralph.
"Aren't you the organist from the Flyers?" he
asked.
"Guest organist." he said, "I play for The White
Angels."
The PR introduced himself, then he took them to
the arena where the Ducks play their home games.
There they went to a private room & Ralph couldn't
believe it! There's a Yamada deluxe double keyboard
organ with a mike.
"Go ahead, try it out."
Ralph sat down & played. He loved messing on
that organ. The PR encouraged Ralph to sing, which he
did. Ralph liked the sound of that organ.
"How would you like to be our organist?" he
asked, "We'll let you play intermission sets, sing
every game, maybe get some of the Ducks to play with
you as a band. All we require is you have to move to
Anaheim & quit The White Angels."
The family was shocked.
"I'm pretty happy being a White Angel." Ralph
said, "But this is a good offer."
"Look, the job is yours. You'll start October
2."
"I can't." said Ralph, "Got a Houston concert
that day, thanks to Hurricane Beverly."
"How about in late October @ the start of the
season?" he asked, "I'll give you some time to think
it over."
That evening, Andy was impressing babes in the
hotel pool with his body & Guts. The he swam around
the pool doing some laps.
"Andy's sure growing up, Mom." said Matt
"He needs to slow down." said Claire.
"After toweling himself off & changing into a
t-shirt & shorts, Andy was about to go back to the
hotel room until he heard music from the hotel
restaurant-bar. Andy was pumped seeing a 4-piece jazz
band consisting of drums, bass, vibes & leading on
electric guitar, Joe's guitar hero, Scott Bayer. The
band took a break & Andy talked to Scott.
"Cool guitar playing. Do you still sing?"
"No." Scott snapped, "You want an autograph?
What's your name?"
"Andy Roman."
"Sorry I snapped @ you." Scott said, "You
wouldn't happen to be related to Joe Roman?"
Andy shook his head.
"Cool!"
"I thought of a cool idea." Andy explained, "The
waterpark concert's in 2 days. Why not make a guest
appearance & jam with Joe. I'll talk to Ray Walters
about it."
"Would be nice." said Scott. Then he & the band
played with Andy watching. When Andy left, Ray
Walters came by & told Scott he could guest appear.
The next day, Victoria drove the bike with Frank
holding on & Michael in the sidecar.
"It's about time women's lib happened." quipped
Victoria.
They headed to a suburb called Lawndale where
Frank's parents lived @ 2436 Kempwood. Frank
introduced them.
"You got married?" asked Dad.
"Not yet." said Frank.
"But you have a child." said Mom.
"Mom, Dad, this is my adopted son, Michael
Brandis. He's gonna be a trumpet player soon."
"Yeah!" Michael said, "When I get good, me &
Scott Roman's putting a band together."
"Son, you're letting this trumpet thing go too
far!" said Dad, "You & Joe became friends & played in
a band. I'd thought you'd get a real job & give up
the trumpet."
"Fine Dad." snapped Frank.
"Calm down, honey." said Vicki.
"No!" Frank yelled, "When I was 12 years old, I
wanted a game system for my birthday. But you got me
my 1st trumpet! Why? To have something to do with my
hands & being constructive."
"He's right." said Mom.
"Just think what would've happened if I had that
game system. I'd be a valley dude bum who wouldn't
care about getting a job. Just playing games &
hanging out with gnarly surfer dudes."
"You got me there, son." said Dad.
Then Frank invited his parents to attend his
wedding @ The Hollywood Bowl.
Splash & Swim; the coolest waterpark of the USA,
had it's own pool arena for concerts. Girls screamed
because for the only time, Matt & Phoebe Dee wore Guts
Swimwear while performing. Of course, Joe came out &
performed "Motorcycle Brothers" with Matt. After the
song, Matt said,
"For our last song, I'd like to do a song for
Phoebe. She & I are getting married in a few days."
Girls sighed as Matt sang & played to Phoebe.
After the song, he unstrapped the guitar, then he &
Phoebe jumped in the pool as fans cheered.
Then, The White Angels performed their last
concert in Guts. They did all their songs.
In the middle of the concert, Jason blindfolded
Joe as Frank announced,
"For this number, we're having a jam session. We
got a surprise for you Joe."
Joe heard fans screaming & then electric guitar
music playing.
"Ladies & gentlemen, the dude who inspired Joe
Roman to play the guitar, Scott Bayer!"
Joe took of the blindfold & saw Scott play. Then
tympani music's heard. Joe saw Andy Roman play with
Eric.
"Jammin on tympani & drums, Joey's kid brother,
Andy Roman!"
The band played a jam session. Frank played a
trumpet solo, Ben a vibes solo & Fred a marimba solo.
Then Joe played guitar solo #1 as Scott chunked. Then
Scott soloed & Joe chunked. The band stopped &
watched Andy play a super tympani solo as Eric drummed
on his drums. As Eric got up, Andy played a hard
drumroll, then Eric got some mallets & played a hard
drumroll on the other tympani. Andy stopped, sat
down, grabbed some sticks & played a cool drum solo.
Then the band put a finish as the crowd cheered.
When they finished, they went to their dressing
room. The band was celebrating the near end of the
concert tour. But Ralph wasn't in a party mood.
"Cheer up, Ralph." said Frank, "You're going to
play the organ & sing @ the wedding."
"Frank." Ralph explained, "I just got an offer to
be The Mighty Duck's official organist. That is,
after Houston, I might have to leave the band. I
don't know whether to stay in cold Philly or move to
sunny Anaheim. Who could take my place?"
"Listen to your heart, Ralph." said Frank, "Maybe
Ray could get David Lubbock Brian, he's a keyboard
whiz on 35410."
The Hollywood Bowl-9:00 am. On the stage we find
a wedding ceremony. Best men were Ben (Fred), Joe
(Matt) & Michael (Frank). Andy was Matt's groomsmen.
Maid of honors; Stephanie (Danielle), Kristen (Phoebe)
& Claire (Victoria).
The minister stood as the crowd watched Ralph
sing & play a love song on the organ. Then he played
"Here Comes The Bride" as Danielle, Phoebe & Victoria
walked out in beautiful gowns!
"My my, a natural triple!" said Parson Brown,
"Excuse me, that's a Joker's Wild pun!" the crowd
groaned over that corny joke.
"What next?" asked Mrs. Brown, "Have 4 Russians
dancing to the goofy win theme?" more groans.
"Can we get on with this!" exclaimed Parson Brown
as he calmed down saying, " We are gathered here @ an
entertainer's dream, The Hollywood Bowl, to join these
men & women in holy matrimony. Do you, Franklin, Fred
& Matthew, take your women to be your lawfully wedded
wives, sickness & health, richer or poorer, better or
worse?"
"I do." said Frank, Fred & Matt.
"Do you, Victoria, Phoebe & Danielle, take your
men to be your lawfully wedded husbands in sickness &
health, richer or poorer, better or worse?"
"I do." said Victoria, Danielle & Phoebe.
The wedding continued as each couple said their
vows to each other. Matt had his red guitar playing &
singing a romantic vow to Phoebe. Then they placed
the rings on each fingers showing their love.
"By the power vested in me by the state of
California, I now pronounce you husbands & wives. May
I present Fred & Danielle Sanders, Matt & Phoebe Roman
& Franklin & Victoria Brandis. Kiss your brides."
Which they did!
At a reception hall, The Scott Bayer band played that
gig. The 3 couples danced to their music.
"Can't wait for our honeymoon." said Fred,
"Remember what to call me?"
"Don Francisco." said Danielle, "Where have I
heard that name? The coffee?"
"No, the host of the Mexican variety-game show,
Sabado Gigante." quipped Fred.
Michael cutted in & asked Victoria,
"Can I dance with you, Mom?"
Victoria was touched. Frank let him dance with
his new mom.
Hours later, the people had wedding cake &
rdrinks to toast the brides & grooms. Frank informed
everyone they still had a concert @ The Hollywood Bowl
to do before going on their honeymoons.
That night @ The Hollywood Bowl, girls cried when
Matt & Phoebe got married. Then TWA came out with
Victoria in her bridal gown. Faithful fans cheered
over the band.
That morning @ the airport, the band said
good-byes to the couples. Frank & Victoria were going
to Hawaii (Michael went back to Philly), Fred &
Danielle went to Acapulco while Matt & Phoebe Dee went
to Puerto Rico.
"Wait!" yelled ray, "Don't forget, we still have
a Houston concert October 2."
The rest of the band flew back to Philly while
their motorcycles were loaded on 18 wheeler trucks
headed to Philly.
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