Billy was sleeping soundly in his trailer, undisturbed by the distant shouts. He lay peacefully, his pajamas neatly in place, a sleep mask covering his eyes to block out the light. For now, Jerry was just relieved that Warner had taken charge of all the logistics. They were the ones handling the delays with the owners, the state, and their lawyers—experts at negotiating a middle ground for tardiness.
The string of meetings had become relentless, but the way Billy sang made everyone willing to wait. His rock was something new, something fresh. The way he performed made people long for something greater.
They forgot their troubles when they listened to him because Billy, perhaps, was one of the few people who could truly reach them.
The knocks woke him up. Groaning, he shifted his body, trying to orient himself. Still half-asleep, he curled back up and decided to shut his eyes again, surrendering to rest, certain that whatever it was could wait.
-Kid, open the damn door.- a voice yelled from outside.
To Billy's surprise, it wasn't just anyone—it was Bon Jovi. But he was too exhausted to react. He dragged himself out of bed and opened the door with his eyes still half-closed, his shirt unbuttoned and hanging loosely.
-Relax, man, I've got jet lag,- Billy muttered.
Bon Jovi simply shook his head. He had no idea what "jet lag" meant but decided it wasn't worth questioning.
-You're a shameless little bastard, but what can we do? The kid who's won it all and shattered every record,- Bon Jovi said with a smirk.
Billy took a deep breath, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he ran a hand through his hair.
-You're fucking Bon Jovi. Damn, thanks for coming!- Billy grinned, wrapping Bon Jovi in a hug before planting a kiss on his forehead.
Bon Jovi shoved him away with a laugh.
-Calm down, kid.-
-Yeah, yeah, stop messing around. Take a seat… Want a drink? A line? A joint? I've got something around here.- Billy offered casually.
-Look, kid, just chill out. You've got a concert that started five minutes ago. Your band is already playing, testing the waters. I figured I'd drop in as your surprise guest.- Bon Jovi replied.
-Ohhhh, no one told me. No worries, we're gonna rock...- Billy trailed off as he grabbed a pair of pants, slipping them on before heading out shirtless. -We can do your songs, I know most of them. I listen to your albums all the time.-
The blond rocker chuckled. The kid was everything rock stars used to be in their youth—full of themselves, reckless, raw talent. Even if he screwed up, it didn't matter. He had something untamed, something magnetic. And if he was here now, it was because Bon Jovi's 11-year-old daughter had told him his music sucked and that she preferred Billy Carson's rock. What a way to be humbled. Now he had to stand next to this arrogant little punk just to save his pride.
-We're ready to bring the rock... I've heard Parisians know how to party, but I'm not sure if that's true. The Germans are winning so far.- Billy declared boldly, earning a chorus of boos as he stepped to the edge of the stage.
-Then why the hell can't I hear you roar?!-
Billy's shout was so powerful that the band kicked in immediately. The music exploded through the speakers. They launched into a high-energy rock song, packed with raw power. The crowd jumped and screamed, a sea of movement stretching into the horizon.
From his second album, they shifted into faster ballads, blending rock with hints of pop.
🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶🎵
I wake up, my shoulder's cold
I've got to leave here before I go
I pull my shirt on, walk out the door
Drag my feet along the floor
I pull my shirt on, walk out the door
Drag my feet along the floor
Then I see you, you're walking 'across the campus
Cruel professor, studying romances
🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶🎵
There's something about ballads. Maybe they hit harder than loud, booming anthems. Maybe they demand a different kind of brilliance, a way of striking just the right chord.
When singing softer songs, the best approach was to bring the energy down and let the audience settle into the moment. Billy imagined what it would have been like to go to college in another life. Now, that was impossible. Maybe someday, some university would hand him an honorary diploma. Or maybe he'd go to one that focused on music. Everything he sang needed experience, needed depth. That's why he performed this track with a laid-back, effortless style—his choreography was nothing more than a slow, casual sway.
🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶🎵
How am I supposed to pretend
I never want to see you again?
How am I supposed to pretend
I never want to see you again?
Walked to class in front of ya
Spilled kefir on your keffiyeh
You look inside and turn to the door
Drag your feet along the floor
🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶🎵
The magic of a song lay in letting it breathe, letting the music carry itself. This one, stripped-down with just an acoustic guitar and bass, accompanied by a soft percussion, was a moment of rest. A chance for the crowd to catch their breath after so much jumping.
🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶🎵
Then I see you, you're walking 'across the campus
Cruel professor, studying romance
How am I supposed to pretend
I never want to see you again?
How am I supposed to pretend
I never want to see you again?
🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶🎵
In the afternoon, you're out on the stone and grass
And I'm sleeping on the balcony after class
In the afternoon, you're out on the stone and grass
And I'm sleeping on the balcony after class
In the afternoon, you're out on the stone and grass
And I'm sleeping on the balcony after class
In the afternoon, you're out on the stone and grass
And I'm sleeping on the balcony after class
🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶🎵
…
-I know a lot of you are gonna love this, but for now, as a special treat, we've got one of the greatest rock singers of all time with us tonight. A man born for rock!- Billy shouted, his voice growing louder. -Give it up for BON JOVI!-
Taking a dramatic step back, he introduced the legendary rocker, the crowd erupting in cheers. The excitement swelled, and at that moment, they both knew the best way to go about this.
-Think you can keep up, kid?- Bon Jovi asked, his own band backing him up.
-Just play the damn song. Whatever you've got, I'll sing it.- Billy grinned.
…
🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶🎵
This ain't a song for the broken-hearted
No silent prayer for the faith-departed
I ain't gonna be just a face in the crowd
You're gonna hear my voice
When I shout it out loud
It's my life
It's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive
It's my life
My heart is like the open highway
Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"
I just want to live while I'm alive
It's my life
🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶🎵
Two artists, both legendary singers. Two performers who lived a life of luxury on the rock stage. Beneath the flashing lights and roaring crowd, Billy kept perfect time, hitting every note, embodying that raw rock energy. When you're truly talented, you can take on any song. And Billy's voice was among the best in the world—almost on par with the greats. He still lacked the years of experience and a catalog of legendary hits, but his vocal power was undeniable. When someone sings with passion, and another equally talented voice joins in, the energy ignites. The duo moved in sync, their voices intertwining seamlessly, elevating each other.
🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶🎵
This is for the ones who stood their ground
It's for Tommy and Gina who never backed down
Tomorrow's getting harder, make no mistake
Luck ain't enough, you've got to make your own breaks
It's my life
It's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive
It's my life
My heart is like the open highway
Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"
I just want to live while I'm alive
🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶🎵
When someone pours their soul into a song, it shows. It's the mark of a true performer. And when two powerhouse voices stand side by side, the audience can feel it—that electric charge of competition. It wasn't just a duet; it was a challenge. A moment where raw talent clashed and blended, pushing both artists to new heights. That's when the crowd truly wakes up, when the stakes feel real.
🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶🎵
It's my life
You better stand tall when they're calling you out
Don't bend, don't break, baby, don't back down
It's my life
It's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive
It's my life
My heart is like the open highway
Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"
I just want to live while I'm alive
It's my life
🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶🎵
-Not bad, kid.-
-Keep up with me.-
He was a natural at working the crowd, a true showman. His voice was razor-sharp when it needed to be, his timing impeccable. He had that rare gift—the ability to make an audience feel every word. Seventy thousand people, all hanging onto his every move. And somewhere out there, in the sea of fans, was his daughter. He hoped she wasn't still embarrassed to call him her father.
He clenched his fist, shaking off the nerves.
-Let's hit them hard.- he answered.
...