Classic Rock Shorts

The Ad: Queen

John Deacon was only nineteen but his mind was older. In the papers he saw was an ad for a band looking for a bassist. Now John played bass really well, he could also make amps if needed. After all, he was studying to be an electrical engineer.

"653-344-8319." John repeated as he punches the number in the phone,

A groggy voice picks up, "Ello?"

"Hey! I'm John Deacon, are you the guy that advertised for the band?"

"What-..." the man's voice went soft, "Hey Fred, did Roger put an ad in the paper? Maybe his mum?" A sigh is heard, "You don't know?"

There was a pause and John thought the man hung up on him. The man's voice is back clearly, "Yeah sure, sir. Do you play bass?"

"Yes! I play the Rickenbacker 4001 bass! I have an amp too!" John says excitedly.

The man chuckles, "I'm Brian May."

"John Deacon." John says, trying to make his voice sound deeper. He's got to sound older.

"Here meet me at *add British address later*."

"Right now?" John asks hesitantly.

God this is how he gets murdered right? Young 19-year-old bright future answers strange ad in paper winds up dead, right?

"Yes. Unless you can't make it, John." Brian says there's a rustling sound, "We can meet you today. We really need a bass player."

And John was sold. He took the bus to the location which was a studio in a poor part of town. It was barely a studio. Just a cramped tiny block of wood painted with chipping white and yellow lead paint.

John knocks on the yellow door, his bass case at his side. He hoped he looked presentable. This was basically a job interview. But how do you dress to be a part of a band?

A tall pale man with dark long hair that's curly opens the door. He's about 23? 22? John isn't good with ages,

"John?"

John looks up, "Brian?"

"Come in." Brian opens the door wider.

John goes inside accidently hitting Brian in the legs with his case, "Sorry."

Brian waves a hand at him, "Oh don't worry about it."

They walk to a little area where a tan skinned man is sitting on a plastic green chair. He looks the oldest. His hair is long and curly too. Quite a handsome lad.

"I'm John Deacon, sir." John sticks his hand out,

"Freddie Bulsara, I'm the frontman for this band." Freddie shakes his hand. His grip was firm and tight, John felt like Freddie was trying to break his hand.

Freddie let's go. And gestures where John should stand. Just as John was setting everything up. The door leading to the hallway opens and a beautiful blond woman comes in with a case of beer.

John blushes maybe he should ask her out after he auditions? She's most likely a roadie right?

"Hey is this the new guy?" John's heart breaks hearing the blond's voice. The pretty woman was a man.