Music Chose Me
I wrote in my first blog about Aloke Dutta’s description of the transference of inspiration and influence via learning an instrument (or other expressive art form). I thought I would attempt to tell the tale of how I came to be so enamored with music and drums and why it has continued to be a driving force in my life. Special thanks to Carl King for the amazing photo above. It’s a still from a video Mr. King shot at my old studio.
I find it fascinating that I am so obsessed with music. I had virtually no exposure to it growing up, save for my older brother’s record collection and my uncle, who was a violinist with the Atlanta Symphony. My father listened to records and occasionally played the radio in the car, but music was never a focal point in our household. The extent of my grandmother and mother’s interest in music did not reach beyond church hymns sang on Sundays. Although these were minor influences, they had no real direct impact on me in my journey of musical discovery. A brief encounter with a saxophone in middle school changed all of that. I was in a band class at school and for some reason, when volunteers were called on for instruments, I chose saxophone. I can remember excelling at sight reading and being called on to play passages for the rest of the class. It was empowering to be good at something and at the same time, help others to learn. Although I didn’t stay with it for long, it left a definite impression on me.
Jeremiah Was A Bullfrog
Another experience I remember having an influence on my love of music was learning words to songs and singing in school or church. I was not, and am not, a skilled singer, but the indescribable feeling of when everyone is harmonizing and in tune was a huge rush. As I grew older and started listening to the radio, I would anxiously wait for the disc jockey to play that song I liked. When I discovered I could buy the record and then listen to it whenever I wanted, it was like a miracle. I remember the first 45 I ever bought. It was Three Dog Night’s, “Joy to the World.” I could not get over being able to play the record whenever I wanted. I no longer had to wait on the DJ at the radio station. This was a revelation to me. I think I must have played that record a hundred times the first day I had it. I immediately began saving my money to buy more 45s. As my 45 collection grew, I began raiding my brother’s record collection as well. He had the fancier 331/3 LPs. I figured if he already had it, I didn’t have to save up and buy it! I also liked some of my father’s music. He had a great collection of Benny Goodman 78s and was also a big Neil Diamond fan. Things really went into overdrive when I bought my own record player and could now play LPs and 45s.
I bought the first two LPs I ever owned with special points I had earned at school for good behavior and doing extra credit work. There was a student store with various things you could trade your points in for and among some of the items were some records. I chose Alice Cooper’s Billion Dollar Babies and Deep Purple’s In Rock. Looking back, pretty heavy albums for a 12 year old. Ian Paice’s drumming with Deep Purple was appreciated, but it was the opening drum riff from the song “Billion Dollar Babies” that planted the percussive seed in my fertile mind. I remember the exact moment when inspiration consciously gave life to the thought that I wanted to play drums. It was during a listen to Emerson, Lake and Palmer’s live triple album, Welcome Back my Friends to the Show That Never Ends. Carl Palmer does an amazing drum solo during “Karn Evil 9” and I can remember thinking, “I want to do that“!
Drum -N- Bass
That was 43 years ago. Just writing that sentence blew my mind! People, places and things have come and gone but the music plays on. Not only the music I hear from others around me, but also my own music in my mind and heart. Part of my creative path is finally learning other instruments in order to express myself musically even more. I am fortunate that my early retirement has given me the time to pursue this. A couple of weeks ago, I dusted off my bass guitar and began re-acquainting myself with it. Needless to say, I have some work to do! I also have aspirations to get my keyboard chops in shape, but one thing at a time. In looking back, I am so grateful for all the joy that music has given me. As I move into another season of my life, one of my goals is to continue to fuel that passion and ambition by inviting you to join me!