Ricky

January 18, 1985

Ricky watched Freddie Mercury perform 'Love of My Life' as he leaned against the wall, smoking his cigarette. The Go-Go's were going after Queen, and soon, it would be the B-52's turn. Ricky was a little nervous. This was their biggest crowd yet, and he was a little worried about his health. His weight was around 100 pounds now, and soon, it could drop to below a hundred pounds. He still hadn't told anyone about his health, and Keith hadn't either. What if he would collapse?

Ricky watched the crowd sing the lyrics for Freddie. What did it take to be able to do that to a crowd?

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Keith was waiting in the dressing room while Cindy's fiancé, the other Keith, was tuning Ricky's guitars. Ricky wanted to go up to Freddie Mercury and ask him what it was like to have a crowd sing the lyrics of the song you were performing live for you. He still had time as the Go-Go's were performing their first song.

Ricky knocked nervously on Queen's dressing room. Footsteps came running. A man with dark, curly hair answered.

"You're one of the musicians here?" Was this Brian May?

Ricky nodded.

"When are you going up?"

"After the Go-Go's."

"Let's talk."

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Ricky strapped his Mosrite on and stepped up to the stage. Here he was. Rock in Rio. The first piece was Legal Tender, and he would use all his strength to play and to not collapse on the stage. This was it.

This won't be my last concert, and even if it is, I will still make it the best.

Ricky was ready. He was ready to use all of his force.