Chapter 9: A Band of Brothers

Jon couldn't get out of work fast enough.  For a Thursday night with Bruce Springsteen in the house, he couldn't believe how long the night seem to take.  He closely watched the time and when the clock struck 10:30, he was out of there.  He had places to go and people to see and he had some news to tell them all.  Out the door he flew, leather jacket in hand sprinting all the way to his car.  Thankfully the weather was good, being in February, so it didn't take long for his car to warm up and give him heat.  He had to get to David's house where he was meeting him and Richie.  Richie has some friends playing at the Fast Lane tonight and Jon wants to get there in time to see them.  Jon needs a bassist and a drummer.  They asked Hugh McDonald to join them, but he wasn't interested.  Even though Hugh recorded Runaway with Jon, he didn't want to be in a band.  He liked playing with bands.


David was ready when Jon got there, so they were able to get to the Fast Lane before midnight. They walked to the door, paid the cover charge and went in to find a seat. Jon looked around, the place was full and the band was really good. Jon knew the waitress, she was a friend of Liz. The first words out of her mouth were, "Where's Liz?". Jon just said, "Can I get a beer? David what are you having?" , looking at the waitress with irritation on his face.  He didn't want to talk about Liz.  She was the last thing he wanted to discuss.  David looked at Missy, the waitress, and said, "I'll have a beer too."  Missy wandered off and went to get what they ordered.  David told Jon that he wasn't very nice to the waitress.  Jon didn't care, he never really like Missy anyway.  Missy was the 'talk' of the town and the town bicycle that everyone has ridden.  Jon didn't want Liz hanging around with her, but he couldn't tell her what to do.

Jon was very impressed with what he seen, playing on the stage.  He was really impressed with the drummer.  The drummer, Hector, was older than the rest of him - but Jon was certain he would fit in, he would be an asset to Jon and David's band.  The band with no name.  He was even impressed with the bassist, Alec.  Jon could picture the 5 of them together.  The band played for about another 45 minutes and finally took a break.  Jon waited for them to wipe the sweat off and grab a drink before he walked over and introduced himself.  He extended his hand to Hector (Tico) first.  He said, "Hi, I'm Jon, this is Dave.  We're friends of Richie's, hopefully he told you about us?"  Alec jumped in and said, "Hi, I'm Alec and yes - Richie did tell us about you.  You're the one that's been played all over the radio, aren't you?"  Jon laughed and followed it up with saying, "I don't know about being all over, but I have a song that's being played."  Jon was feeling very proud at this moment. As he should.  Jon asked the guys if they would be interested in joining him, David and Richie is this band.  Leaving out the Doc McGhee story, for now.  Tico and Alec were very interested and asked Jon if there was somewhere that they could 'audition' at?  It's better to see if they all fit together nicely now, as opposed to finding that out later on.  Jon thought for a minute and said, "I'll be right back."  Jon went over to the manager of the Fast Lane if they could use the place for a little bit tonight yet?  The manager wasn't opposed to it at all, he just had to reiterate that they could not drink in the bar after 2:30.  Jon and the guys had no problems with that, as none of them are big drinkers.  Jon was getting pretty psyched, now he just had to get ahold of Richie. Unfortunately, Richie's phone number was at home on his dresser.  Jon thought, 'I'll call home and have mom get me Richie's number.'  He went to the payphone and called home.  Ring, ring, ring - no one answered.  Jon knew everyone was in bed, but he was sure Matt or Tony would be up still.  He let it ring some more.  Finally, Tony did answer and he wasn't happy about it. "Hello!!"

 "Tony, it's Jon - run up to my room and get a phone number off of my dresser for me.  Hurry." Jon orders with the excitement of a kid on Christmas morning.

"Who's number am I looking for?", mumbled the littler brother. 

"Its a yellow piece of paper and it has the name Richie on it."

Tony set the phone down and jolts up stairs.  He finds the yellow piece of paper and takes it back downstairs with him.  When he made it to the phone he started to ramble off the number, and as soon as he started - the numbers came back to Jon.  Tony didn't even get the whole number out of his mouth before Jon hung up on him. 

Setting the receiver down, just long enough to break the connection Jon picked it up again, dropped in a quarter and dialed Richie's phone number.  It was as soon as it started to ring that Jon thought, 'Oh crap, it's kind of late, I hope I don't wake his parents up.'  Knowing Richie was an only child.  After three rings, Richie answered the phone.  "Hello?"

"Hey Richie, it's Jon - did I wake you up?" pausing, hoping the answer was no.

"No man, I was just watching TV.  What's up?", asking Jon very puzzled due to the late hour.

Jon tried to hide his enthusiasm and said, "We all are here at the Fast Lane and they are going to let us stay after close, so Tico and Alec can audition - can you make it over here?"  Praying and hoping that he can make it.

Richie looked at the clock and thought for a second.  After what felt like a lifetime to Jon, Richie told him he would be there in about half an hour.  And he hung up the phone.  Richie knew he needed to be on his A game, he went upstairs, got dressed and gave his hair the messy look.  Grabbed his favorite guitar and headed out the door. 

The drive down to Asbury Park wasn't too bad.  Richie has some Hendrix blasting, it was all good.  He was getting excited, he was going to play the guitar.  Richie loved nothing more than playing his guitar.  For anyone that will listen.

Finding a place to park was the toughest part of his night, so far.  Once he found a place, he grabbed his case and headed to the bar.  It was only a few blocks and the cold made him move a little bit faster than normal.  Getting to the entrance, the doorman stopped him and carded him.  Richie laughed, handed him his license and he was let in.  He walked in and looked around.  The place was pretty busy still.  He seen Jon and David over by the bar, so he made his way over to them.  There was just enough time for introductions to be made before Tico and Alec had to get back onstage. 

Once the music started Richie asked Jon and David what they thought of Alec and Tico. Jon was never one to bullshit people and he's always been a straight shooter.  He was impressed by what he has seen so far.  They both are very capable and talented musicians.  Jon knew this was the start of something big.