Chapter 47

The evening was running a full speed, the drinks were flowing and everyone but me was having a good time, looking at the guys they whooped and cheered for every artist that won an award, Madonna had already collected her award for best female artist, her attitude fitting in with her ego. Teek congratulated her as she sat back down at the table, and let me tell ya, not much shocks teek but her reply did. "about muther fucking time they realised how fucking hot and good I am, this is owed to me not deserved." kissing the award she sat down and gave a two finger salute in the air. I'm not denying that she has talent, but this broad was more like a guy than a women, and it was ugly to watch. My mind drifted for a moment and my thoughts, about Madonna, and about if a guy climbed into bed with her, and couldn't help smiling as an image of her throwing the guy down on the bed and having sex with him, she would sure the hell be a badass bitch between the sheets as in real life, and the guy had better not have any preconceptions about making love to her, cause she would fuck him up real good.

 

More clapping and cheering that brought my attention and was snapped back to the events unfolding and the award I had been dreading, The best Band, my heart halted in my mouth, which was dry and I could not swallow as Robin, ran through all the nominee's sure to god we were in the nominations.

 

Hardly able to breathe I waited for the announcement, dragging it out making it more painful, Robin called Cher to the stage to make the final announcement of the winner and the presentation.

I muttered under my breath, "for the love of god, just announce the winner already"

Bono's hand rested on my shoulder as he leaned in and whispered "Good luck man" I smiled and nodded and wished him the same.

 

Cher stood in front of the mic and muttered those immortal words, "And the winner is............."  my heart was pounding so hard I was sure it was gonna leap outta my chest, the tension was surreal, and she dragged it out for the longest time... finally she announced the winner...... 

"Bon Jovi....."

whoops and cheers, and clapping, rang out all around us, the spotlight hitting us all front and centre, capturing Rich and the guy's all high fiving each other, I smiled at them, but I was sad, and scared, the moment had come to go up on stage. I don't know why, I guess all my senses left me for a millisecond as I stood, rich looked at me,  I was determined I would not use the chair, no way.... I returned the look and he could see the pleading in my eye's so, said nothing and took my arm, the guys all  saw and fitting in around me too, as slowly we all walked to the stage.

I knew I was gonna have to face the shit tomorrow, but it was my body, and I wanted to do it my way, this was Bon Jovi's moment not just mine, the guys deserved the recognition. and as I've said;  the chair was a symbol of pity for me, and I sure the hell was not gonna allow that to happen.

 

 On stage slowly we reached Cher, leaning in she hugged and kissed each of us and then handed the award to me. I took a moment to read the inscription on the plaque, and could not stop smiling.  I looked out to the audience and was about to make a thank you speech, but was stopped as the whole audience were on the feet still clapping and cheering for us.

 

Our peers were giving us a standing ovation, I was blown away, I looked to the guys, who had all stood back and were clapping too, as the penny finally dropped, I realised they were all standing for me. 

Now faced with the facts, I realised it was not out of pity, but respect for what I had gone through, boy my attitude had been wrong, Swallowing back my tears,  I cleared my throat and lent forward and spoke into the mic. 
.

 

"thank you." I paused and waited for the clapping to stop, as the ripples died down to a single clap I spoke." thank you, you know, we are a small town bar band from New jersey, and receiving this award means we have now hit our first target... we have conquered our first mountain, and  without the support and help of our fans, family, friends, well.... we would not be standing here...... so; thank you and...... we love you all" astounding rings of the clapping resounded in my ears as I stood back to let Rich say a few words, I just looked out at the audience taking it all I., As Rich ended his speech he stood back, to let Dave and Teek say there thanks too, as Teek stood back I lent forward to the Mic again.  

The clapping almost stopped instantly,  

"Sorry, before we go I just want to touch on something that you all have a need to know, Glancing across at Richie I continued,"  I promise I'll keep it short and it wont be an Oscar speech." Ripples of laughter was heard, then as  the laughter died and the silence descended again and, completely focused I began.  

 

"So anyone that knows me will tell ya, I'm a real pain in the butt and a total workaholic,  I paused and looked at the guy's who were nodding in agreement, " thing is, it's just cause I never want to let anyone down, my work ethic is you keep going till ya cant keep going anymore..... let me say that ethic is now under reconstruction., and for good reason..." 

I had the audience they were hanging on my every word... as I carried on...   

" As everyone now knows  at the end of the last tour, and after our last night on stage I collapsed. ......, yeah I know the press were told it was exhaustion, and some of that is true, but it was more than that...."

"During the tour I had issues with my voice, hitting the B flat's night every night, caused damage to my chords. the guy's told me to rest, but I carried on after being given steroids. A temporary fix to my problem."

"and that was the problem, due to the months of abuse, my body could not take it anymore and it resulted in my body shutting down and me having kidney failure. Sure, I had dialysis for months, but even that was no good. I needed a donor to live." taking a pause I continued.... " And I am very pleased to say, a match was found......" I looked to my left and saw Richie shaking his head, his eyes pleading with me not to do it, but I carried on.... it was time everyone knew that Rich had saved my life.....

" Ladies and gentlemen, Pease share the love and give it up for my donor and my band brother and Mr Richie Sambora..."

the audience erupted, screams, whistles, clapping cheering, and another standing ovation this time for Richie. He looked pretty pissed as he stood at the mic. for the first time in my life Richie Sambora gave me the stink eye.