FrankS1281734010 Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 So I just got back from the Who show in Boston, and it just made me realize exactly why I got into the guitar - and rock and roll in general. It was really humbling to watch a band that has been around almost twice as long as I have, and that pretty much wrote the book on on-stage badass-ness. Pointless rant? Yeah, I guess so. Anyone care to share any similar influences/stories? And to make sure this post is half-assedly on topic, here's a video of Pete playing an SG... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender 4 Life Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 when I was 11. I accidentally hit my 1st "powerchord" while trying to shake my "stash" out of the soundhole of the Harmony box i'd gotten for my birthday. as they say, the rest is history! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitmore Willy Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Good topic (probably doomed) but still a good topic. If there is one commonality we all share it is our love for music. Started piano as a child. (never was much good). Played sax for a while in grade school. (did okey dokey)...but... In "63" I went to my first dance in Jr. High. I saw my neighbors band playing for us. That was it, I had to learn guitar. As time went on and I went to concerts to see B.B. King, Clapton, Dave Mason, The Who and many others. I didn't think I could ever be that good...but I had to try. (to this day I am still trying) I have to admit that I envy the "younger" people today. There is so much to be seen and learned between You Tube and online lessons. Back in "the day" high tech was a television that looked like it came out of the Flintstones and a record player that actually played in stereo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxman Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Started playing late in life (mid twenties) when a girlfriend bought me a Strat for Valentine's Day. She knew I loved music and thought it would be a great gift. It was. Don't have that girlfriend; still have the Strat. And always loved the Beatles and their guitars...which led me to the majestic Epiphone Casino and this site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Strum Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 For me, the Beatles gave me the awareness and a strong interest in music, unfortuenatly I could never stick with the guitar or drums, but the music would live on forever. The Who was the first concert I ever attended. It was when Keith Moon was still alive and we were right up front. To this day, that show remains the #1 concert event for me. The Beatles lit the fire, Townsend kept the flame burning. It took me a long time to really pick up the guitar, but I can't look back at lost time, I just have to make the best of what is left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 I had no idea, what I was going to do...stuck in a small Kansas farming community (nice enough, as those things go), with what seemed like, at the time, no real "future," except what was going on around me. Then, one night, my Mom got me out of bed, to "come look at this English band" on TV. It was the first glimpse America got (late night America, that is) of The Beatles, through a news reel clip, on the Jack Parr Program. I had been interested in "Rock & Roll," and specifically, The Beach Boys..at that time. So, I had some new found interest in guitars, and Mom had recently (for my 14th birthday) bought me a '64 (new then) Fender Strat, and a "Bandmaster" amp, as well. (Yeah, she spoiled me rotten...LOL!) The next morning, after the Jack Parr show, we went to Wichita, to the Orthodontist, and afterward, made our way to Innes Department store, (like Macy's) to the record department. It was one of the old ones, that had the glass doored listening booths. Got a demo copy of "Meet The Beatles," and I thought she'd just hand it to me, and wait outside? No way...she went in the booth with me, to hear what all the fuss was about. First cut..."I Want To Hold Your Hand"(catchy, great harmonies, nice melody, etc.) THEN "I Saw Her Standing There" came on, next! THAT was IT! I was hooked, BIG TIME, and have been ever since! And, of course, after Ed Sullivan, it was glaringly obvious they were Great! My mom, was a real "Beatles" fan, too...she even sent away for tickets, for me and a friend, for their last tour...and their stop in St. Louis, at Busch Stadium. Carl Wilson may have started the "spark" in me, to play guitar, but George Harrison poured the Jet Fuel on it! And, the rest of the initial "British Invasion," fanned the inferno! I had two Beatles songs played at my Mom's funeral, in 2003. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tintin Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Green Day's American Idiot did it for me. Easy to play, and felt so damn good to hit those simple chords! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pohatu771 Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 I have to say it was probably Barenaked Ladies that started me... I wanted to write like them, more than anything, and you can only go so far is you can't play a proper instrument. It's a bit difficult to write rock music if you only play concert percussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender 4 Life Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 I had two Beatles songs played at my Moms funeral' date=' in 2003. CB[/quote'] Oddly enough, I had 2 KISS songs played at my sons funeral in 2000, he was killed in a wreck at 17 yrs old less than a month after I took him to see their "Reunion Tour" show in Atlanta. The service began with a moment of silence during the intro to "Rock Bottom"(his favorite) and his casket was carried out to the sound of "Rock-n-Roll all Nite". People don't fully realize how much music means to many of us..........but I think most ppl that use this forum do. Peace! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Sorry, to hear about your son, Bender...that's a tough thing to have to deal with, for sure. But, you're right...music gets us all through the trials of our lives, as well as the great things. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
custer Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 Seeing The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show and watching Ricky Nelson on the T.V. and all those great Elvis movies got me started. Seeing KISS as a teenager put me over the top. I just want to thank all of them for the music and the joy it has brought to my life. My son is now playing guitar and I couldn't be happier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johno Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 I had no idea' date=' what I was going to do...stuck in a small Kansas farming community (nice enough, as those things go), with what seemed like, at the time, no real "future," except what was going on around me. Then, one night, my Mom got me out of bed, to "come look at this English band" on TV. It was the first glimpse America got (late night America, that is) of The Beatles, through a news reel clip, on the Jack Parr Show (predating "The Tonight Show"). I had been interested in "Rock & Roll," and specifically, The Beach Boys..at that time. So, I had some interest in guitars, and Mom had recently (for my 14th birthday) bought me a '64 (new then) Fender Strat, and a "Bandmaster" amp, as well. (Yeah, she spoiled me rotten...LOL!) The next morning, after the Jack Parr show, we went to Wichita, to the Orthodontist, and afterward, made our way to Innes Department store, (like Macy's) to the record department. It was one of the old ones, that had the glass doored listening booths. Got a demo copy of "Meet The Beatles," and I thought she'd just hand it to me, and wait outside? No way...she went in the booth with me, to hear what all the fuss was about. First cut..."I Want To Hold Your Hand"(catchy, great harmonies, nice melody, etc.) THEN "I Saw Her Standing There" came on, next! THAT was IT! I was hooked, BIG TIME, and have been ever since! And, of course, after Ed Sullivan, it was glaringly obvious they were Great! My mom, was a real "Beatles" fan, too...she even sent away for tickets, for me and a friend, for their last tour...and their stop in St. Louis, at Busch Stadium. Carl Wilson may have started the "spark" in me, to play guitar, but George Harrison poured the Jet Fuel on it! And, the rest of the initial "British Invasion," fanned the inferno! I had two Beatles songs played at my Mom s funeral, in 2003. CB[/quote'] CB, I liked your story but your memory is a little hazy on the Jack Paar part. It wasn't the predecessor of "The Tonight Show" or "The Jack Parr Show" that you saw and it wasn't on late night it was on prime time. (although it was late night for you being a kid) Jack Paar had "Tonight Starring Jack Parr" from 1957 to 1959 and from 1959-1962 it was called "The Jack Paar Show" on late night. Jack left in March of 1962 and Johnny Carson took over and it became "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson." On September 21, 1962 Jack started a new prime time one hour talk-variety on Friday nights at 10 on NBC called "The Jack Paar Program." That's where you saw the Beatles clip on January 3, 1964. The Jack Paar Program ran until September 10, 1965. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 CB' date=' I liked your story but your memory is a little hazy on the Jack Paar part. It wasn't the predecessor of "The Tonight Show" or "The Jack Parr Show" that you saw and it wasn't on late night it was on prime time. (although it was late night for you being a kid) Jack Paar had "Tonight Starring Jack Parr" from 1957 to 1959 and from 1959-1962 it was called "The Jack Paar Show" on late night. Jack left in March of 1962 and Johnny Carson took over and it became "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson." On September 21, 1962 Jack started a new prime time one hour talk-variety on Friday nights at 10 on NBC called "The Jack Paar Program." That's where you saw the Beatles clip on January 3, 1964. The Jack Paar Program ran until September 10, 1965. [/quote'] "Details, details!!" LOL! Well, I was barely 14, it was 11:30 or so, I was sleepy...AND...it was 44 years ago. Sorry...at this point, I'm surprised I could remember that Jack Parr was involved, at all. ;>) Certainly wasn't a program I would have watched, or even been interested in. But, I do remember that night, the newsreel footage, (with sound)...and how Jack actually made kind of an *** out of himself, making fun of The Beatles, as a lot of "Grown Ups" used to do. Which, of course, made US love The Beatles, all the more! LOL! So, I'll gladly defer, to your "Jack Parr" expertise. :>) CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Lister Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 Pointless rant? Yeah' date=' I guess so. Anyone care to share any similar influences/stories?[/quote'] Air guitar-ed nearly everyone from Chet Atkins to Frank Zappa before picking up my first, but really deep down the guitar is and has always been about my life's great adventure..., my trek to synergy with this most dear mechanical thing through which my soul is revealed. It is only when I've temporarily lost sight of that, and tried to imitate rather than create, that I have faltered. So, pointless rant? ...not at all! We may all own EPI's but playing them is why we visit here. It's mostly occasional posts like yours that even keep me returning to the Epi forum: -- yep, been here - read that..., on most everything else that crops up anymore. This type of post is exactly why Epiphone really needs to add a "players" topic to the new & improved forum they claim to be working on. Just because at 2,150+ we already know all of CB's stories doesn't mean.... LOL Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaby..., I'm going to play on:-" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SomeIdiotDreamer Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 Started playing late in life (mid twenties) when a girlfriend bought me a Strat for Valentine's Day. She knew I loved music and thought it would be a great gift. It was. Don't have that girlfriend; still have the Strat. And always loved the Beatles and their guitars...which led me to the majestic Epiphone Casino and this site. That's reassuring. I'm 22 and I bought my first guitar today. It's an Ultra II and a hefty, hefty sum for anyone, especially someone who can't play a note. I love rock music and always have (Foo Fighters, Sex Pistols, and Hole are my favorites), and I've fantisized about playing guitar, sure, but I never thought I'd actually have the gumption to pick one up. But I'd been reading about this one. And I saw it on ebay. And I bought it. I'm still completely shocked I really did it. Shocked and dismayed and every other emotion. It's an idiotic thing to buy. I'll never use it. I can't play. I've never played. I should put it right back on ebay. I'm still thinking that. Another part of me is thinking that...I wanted that guitar. It looked GOOD to me. I liked it. It looked incredible. There has to be a reason for that. This could be totally embaressing. This could be awesome. It feels like the start of an adventure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Lister Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 Another part of me is thinking that...I wanted that guitar. It looked GOOD to me. I liked it. It looked incredible. There has to be a reason for that. This could be totally embaressing. This could be awesome. It feels like the start of an adventure. Great guitar' date=' right attitude..., you'll do just fine -- and reap a king's treasure (lifelong satisfaction and/or jewels) as your reward. Just hang on to your adventuresome spirit: Above all else hang onto that! WELCOME to the forum SID! Visit here and tap into this vast base of helpful expert assistance anytime you're not playing your new Ultra II. Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaby..., I'm going to play on:-" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tintin Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 That's reassuring. I'm 22 and I bought my first guitar today. It's an Ultra II and a hefty' date=' hefty sum for anyone, especially someone who can't play a note. I love rock music and always have (Foo Fighters, Sex Pistols, and Hole are my favorites), and I've fantisized about playing guitar, sure, but I never thought I'd actually have the gumption to pick one up. But I'd been reading about this one. And I saw it on ebay. And I bought it. I'm still completely shocked I really did it. Shocked and dismayed and every other emotion. It's an idiotic thing to buy. I'll never use it. I can't play. I've never played. I should put it right back on ebay. I'm still thinking that. Another part of me is thinking that...I wanted that guitar. It looked GOOD to me. I liked it. It looked incredible. There has to be a reason for that. This could be totally embaressing. This could be awesome. It feels like the start of an adventure. [/quote'] Inspiration is 99.99% of the game, ISTM. Congrats on starting! I also have an Ultra-II- awesome versatility- and although it's my 5th guitar, I play it about 95% of the time now. I just started playing about a year and half ago, and it's been a great ride so far! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxman Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 I'm 22 and I bought my first guitar today. I'm still completely shocked I really did it. Shocked and dismayed and every other emotion. It's an idiotic thing to buy. I'll never use it. I can't play. I've never played. I should put it right back on ebay. I'm still thinking that. This could be awesome. It feels like the start of an adventure. One way to ensure that your adventure continues beyond just one month is to play an entire song that you love. I learned The Beatles' "Mother Nature's Son" in my first week. I was playing music I loved! From that moment on guitar was never seen as a chore, something to practice, or hard. You mention you enjoy Hole. Well, some of their stuff can be learned by a beginner in a matter of hours. - "Doll Parts" is just three basic chord that every beginner learns - A,C,G - there's a fantastic song that Hole did on MTV's unplugged - "Sugar Coma" - that is easy as hell, just F,C,G My point is, when you start playing along to songs you love early in your guitar journey, you're more apt to continue playing. And there's also this -- guitar playing is easy. My nine year old God child already has three Beatle songs down cold and she has been playing only since September. Believe it, playing guitar is not hard at all. If you want to be Hendrix, good luck. But if you want to play guitar and have a great time, man, that's easy. Start strummin "Sugar Coma" - by this time tomorrow you can call yourself a guitar player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Strum Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 I agree with BeatleNut, but remember everyone is different and that applies to the way we approach learning to play the guitar. You will learn soon enough that it's a journey and no matter how long you play, there will always be something new to learn - that's what makes it exciting. I took a different approach than the one that is described by BeatleNut. My focus was on learning what made the song work. In other words, I wanted to know the "why" rather than duplicate a song. I wanted, and still want, to be able to sit down with other guitarist and musicians and be able to join in. I wanted the ability to quickly pick up what they were playing or trying to play. My point, there are different approaches to learning the guitar, you've now read two of them. Neither one is the only way, neither one is the wrong way. Find what keeps you interested, realize that it's a long journey, realize that you will get frustrated - sometimes referred to as "the rut". However, you will have many times where it will all come together and you will get lost in your playing - sometimes referred to as "the zone". When you get into "the zone" it makes all the hard work worth the time and effort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stan 58 Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 To get girls. Stan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Strum Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 To get girls. Stan. What the hell was I thinking when I wrote my response? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankS1281734010 Posted October 26, 2008 Author Share Posted October 26, 2008 To get girls. Stan. Ha, well I figured that was just assumed for all of us... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxman Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 To get girls. Stan. Yeah, guitar players can get girls. But guitar players who can sing beautifully while playing get more girls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 Guitar IS easy to learn to play, but because of the myriad of possibilities, it's also one of the most difficult instruments, to learn to play WELL. But, for simple accompaniment to ones own (or others) singing, sure. As to "getting girls?" True...to an extent, and Really good looking bass players, who can write great songs, sing and play at the same time, along with knowing guitar and piano, get LOTS of girls. ;>) CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
altair Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 To get girls. Stan. Pff well, I'm married so when it comes to girls... all I can do (as Walter puts so nicely) is run to the end of my chain and bark. Anyway... I picked up guitar a week or so ago as well, and I'm 35 (wishing I got started at 22, or 14 for that matter) but the whole learning process and hearing myself getting a little better at it each day, I guess I can only say it just completes me. I'm not new to music, I've dabbled with keyboards and drums (marching band drums) and I even have a nice handmade Quatro from Venezuela, which is somewhat like a ukelele but tuned differently. But playing guitar finally touched that right note inside me. :- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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