Roger Taylor, Barbara Rosabella's 'love of her life', regardless of the fact that they are best friends. Having known each other since the beginning of their teenage years, they grow up together and bring out the best in each other, talk about their...
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January 1979 Barbara's P.O.V Chap47
I grin widely over at Bernie and Ray - we were sat backstage, just ten minutes away from show time. I held a glass of wine up in the air, in high spirits, excited to try something new - but also, pushing away the daunting feeling of not having Roger or Freddie, Brian and Deaky with me. At least I had the two men before me - if I didn't have them, well - I'm not sure I'd cope.
I'm sandwiched between the two of them as they guide me - along with a few roadies down the corridor leading to the entrance on the side of the stage. I felt Bernie's hand squeeze my side, reassuring me, making me glance up at him - I smile timidly up at him and he mirrors it back at me, "You're gonna do great, I promise," he mumbles quietly - I nodded.
"I know that," I answer confidently in a playful way, a huffed laugh leaving my lips afterwards, "I'm going to do us proud." I thought, I'm not just going to do Bernie and Ray proud - Roger, Freddie, Brian and John too - that little girl I met not too long ago.
Once I was on stage - knowing that the people watching were here just to see me. Somehow I felt more self assured - perhaps due to the fact that when I was performing for Queen, the audience were there for them - not so much me. I grinned toothily and then sent that same grin up at Bernie and Ray, who were watching from above on a balcony.
I was required - by the record company, to sing Bernie's songs too, which I didn't mind one bit. And the moderately large crowd, crammed into a decent sized venue were enjoying themselves. Some waved, sang, danced, cheered, wolf-whistled - there were a variety of reactions and they all washed away the small handful of doubts I'd had before. I didn't worry about not having my closest friends here. Although, it would've been nice to see Roger having fun with Bernie and Ray in the balconies.
And when it came to 'Wings' - the last song I had to sing - the encore - that was when the crowd were the most attentive, in fact, the reaction was rather incredible. I didn't regret adding the song to the set list, I knew that people would appreciate hearing it. I beamed with happiness as the light shone over at me when I sang the chorus - my eyes scanned the room at the cheering audience, I looked up at the two men who had made this tour possible. They were jumping excitedly - Bernie pointed at me with the largest smile on his face.
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