Chapter 46. 1977 - World Reform

The new reform movement was in full motion. I kept his vow to create his ‘World Theme Song’ and the momentum for change sent it to the top of the charts.

“Pretty good results for a wash out, “ I told his new wife. “You can hardly go anywhere without ‘World Reform’ coming out of a radio, or being played in a record shop.”

I turned on his radio, and recognized the familiar strains as the song came up again in the rotation.

World's gonna change and I'm gonna change it.
Turn out the old, rearrange it.
We can't get by on what they dictate on high.

Reform! Be reborn!

I couldn’t help himself as he jumped up on the table and started in on a little guitar improvising, without the benefit of a guitar. He took a couple of Townshend-style swipes at the air, and sang out with the radio.

Look out the window and what do I see?
L.A. smog coming after me.
My eyes are burning and heads are turning to me.

Reform! Be reborn!

I took on the solo with a vengeance, and jump off the table, barely missing cracking his head on the ceiling. He calmed down a bit as the music mellowed.

I can't do it alone, help is on its way.
If you'll help me along, we'll see a new day.

The main theme reintroduced, he belted it out:

Political upsets are getting me upset.
Branding our minds so we can forget.
The situation that exists in our nation means:

Reform! Be reborn!

Angela was so happy to see the positive changes reflected in I over the past few months. The music press retracted the stories of suicide, and embraced the new socially conscious efforts of this once over the top, but now down to earth version of “The World’s Greatest Musician.”

Their wedding had been a quiet affair, with a few friends and family in attendance. All four members of Golden Fingers were there, which fueled a few rumors of a reunion, but they were really there to support I and Angela. Buddy and Annette and Henry and Juliette were overjoyed, never thinking in a million years that there would be a matchup between Angela and I, and amazed that their friendship of more than twenty years would produce such fruit. Spike served as I’s best man, and Isaac and Ozzie were groomsmen.

Angela’s maid of honor, was I’s “cousin” and her best friend Elizabeth Stone. Betty was her good friend from high school, and a confidante in Angela’s secret crush on I. Elizabeth was a couple of years older than Angela, and had never revealed to her that she had been briefly involved with I back in High School. Her bridesmaids, Marilynn Spencer and Marie Jordon had been fast friends themselves, known as the “M” girls in the Golden Fingers fan club. They were realizing one of their own private dreams by being involved in an event such as this.

Sam Martin and his wife, Samantha, sat in the special guest row, and even Sandy Daly had sobered up long enough to make a presentable appearance.

I had even composed a new song for the event, based on his own transformation, and the couple used it for their vows.

I began:

I need someone and that someone's got to be you.
Though you've been there all along you're just like a dream come true.

If it wasn't for you
I know I couldn't make it through my life
If it wasn't for you
If it wasn't for you
You have a love that is true
And I know you'll make me a fine wife
You have a love that is true
You have a love that is true

Angela, unaccustomed to singing in public, was a bit nervous, but she continued the story:

Change
Change your life, change for me
You can if you try
You must to get by

Change
Life is change, understand
Yes, I'll be your wife
Yes, I'll share your life

I resumed his vows:

Friendless, lonely, there I was,
A star no longer.
I'd been brought down all because
I wanted to be stronger

I need someone and that someone's got to be you.
Though you've been there all along you're just like a dream come true.

He continued his confession, with Angela joining in counterpoint:

If it wasn't for you
I know I couldn't make it through my life
If it wasn't for you
If it wasn't for you
You have a love that is true
And I know you'll make me a fine wife
You have a love that is true
You have a love that is true

Change
Change your life, change for me
You can if you try
You must to get by
Change
Life is change, understand
Yes, I'll be your wife
Yes, I'll share your life

I resumed a solo vocal:

Now I've seen where my faults lies
You've got to help me.
It's clear to me I've got to try.
I need the key, so tell me.

Angela responded with her solo call for change

Change
Change your life, change for me
You can if you try
You must to get by
Change
Life is change, understand
Yes, I'll be your wife
Yes, I'll share your life

Their vows concluded, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.