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Location: Chicago | What EXACT age(s) were you at when MUSIC hit you front and central? We all know that the WINDOW opens and the WINDOW closes. What are YOUR exact years for DEEP influence? BTW what are they?
My confession: 11 - 17 end of story
Influences: Winter, Clapton, Hendrix, Blackmore, Wes, Martino, Towner, McLaughlin |
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Location: Round Rock, TX | Mine started in 2nd grade when my baby sitter brought over her Beatles singles. I'll be sad when the window closes.
The list of even the top-level influences is too long to type, but include the Beatles, Creedence, Blind Faith, Steely Dan, Jeff Beck, the Eagles, Warren Zevon, Yes, Ray LaMontagne, Eef Barzelay, Sufjan Stevens, Brian Eno, B. B. King, Robert Fripp, My Morning Jacket, Fountains of Wayne, XTC... see, I told you it was too long. |
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Location: Right now? | My mama was singing when I popped out! In our home, constant music was everything imaginable, from Beethoven to Patsy Cline to the Stones, Beatles, Simon & Garfunkle, Bob Dylan, Doors, Eric Clapton, Delaney & Bonnie, Lovin' Spoonfuls, Mamas& Papas, Janice, Jimi, The Supremes, Elvis (how could I forget ELVIS?), Marty Robbins, Smokey Robinson, The Drifter's, The Platters, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Sam Cooke, Diego Reinhardt, Tom T. Hall, Merle Haggard, Johnny Horton, Doobie Brothers, Doc Watson & Merle Travis, Grateful Dead & NRPS, John Prine, Harry Chapin, John Prine, Steve Goodman, Dwight Yoakam & Buck Owens, Rosanne Cash, Emmy Lou, Aretha, Ray Charles, The Clash, Johnny Rivers and Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Tom Jones, up through present day. My Dad loved Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, even the 13th Floor Elevators ~ everything! Two years in Austin Texas during the mid seventies was an 'experience' also. I was married to a guitar player forEVER, so it's hard to say which or how much each period influenced me personally, but right now I am just crazy over Dwight Yoakam, Brandy Carlile, and K.T. Tunstall. Gonna go play some music now ...
;)
Willa |
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Location: GA USA | 14... Loggins & Messina, Elton John, and Queen. I have no problem harmonizing, and I think it's because I knew all the Loggins & Messina songs so well. |
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Location: Marlton, NJ | 13 through 15 or so when I joined the folk group at church... Beatles, Chicago, Tull, Yes, Skynard, The Who - Quadrophenia, Wings, Steve Miller, Jackson Browne and so on... |
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Location: Right now? | Captain, who didn't love L&M? And how did I forget Elton? My favorite album of his is still "Tumbleweed Connection". I'm sure Patsy Cline, Linda Ronstadt and the Beatles taught me how to sing ...
Mike, Jethro Tull was great, and remember when they used to play "Color My World" by Chicago till you wanted to blow up the radio? And I LIKED Chicago. That and Don McLean's "American Pie" ~ WNEW FM played it all the TIME! I also liked some of Jefferson Airplane, but not so much Jefferson Starship, and I loved Queen! Ah, Carl Perkins, Buddy Holly, all my parents' music. The youngsters on this forum probably wouldn't even remember Gordon Lightfoot, lol!
;)
Willa |
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| When I was about 5 or 6 someone gave me a harmonica and I remember walking up our street making noises with it when suddenly I hit a progression of notes that clicked together and I realized that's how it works. I went running home to tell someone about it but no one gave a damn..lol
As for influences, I have a lot, but I really despise lame ass mainstream music - I thought it was drivel back in the day and I can't be bothered talking about it now. Lately I've been listening to Townes Van Zant - I seem to find a lot in his writing that is meaningful to me...for now at least. |
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Location: Marlton, NJ | Oh jeez... how can I forget.. Springsteen. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Well... We bought this New for about $3.95...
But later in life...
  
But nowadays... Well...
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| David Gilmour has always maintained a quiet dignity while delivering music which stops people in their tracks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpH9uVjT4Os&feature=related |
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| For me it's been a series of opening and closing windows, with various artists catching my attention and pulling me in various directions.
The most significant revelation came when I heard some folk guy in a club in the mid sixties do a jazzy Cole Porter song. Up to that point I'd been playing all folk all the time. He made me realize that there was no law restricting me to folk just because I was using an acoustic guitar. I could play anything I wanted.
Everybody does that now, but then it was big news. |
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| Originally posted by Losov:
For me it's been a series of opening and closing windows, with various artists catching my attention and pulling me in various directions. That's sort of how it is with me. I take a bit from people here and there most of whom are better musicians than I'll ever be but I also have my own sense of music which exists regardless of what anyone else does or how good they are or whatever - that sense of music has been with me all my life and I'll take it to my grave. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I think the years 68-75 made a big impression on me. Moody Blues, Renaissance, Floyd, YES, Crimson, etc. There's plenty of stuff I've likde since but that was the foundation. Basically I detested almost all American music at the time, thought it was just Shite compared to what was coming in from Overseas. There was a small shop in Belmar who would drive down to Philly every two weeks to pick up stock and would come back with a mimeograph {'member those?) of the top UK charts and a few import LPs and Singles. Then around '72 I stumbled on a mail order service out of South Plainfield NJ. Al, Cliff you guys remember JEM RECORDS ??? They would send you a big catalog listing all the import stuff he could get you. I bought a lot of stuff from him back them and still spin them regularly.
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Location: Michigan | The first time I saw the Beatles on Ed Sullivan I was hooked. The first album that won me over was "Sweet Baby James" I bought it and wore it out. Jethro Tull was my first concert and still one of the best I have ever seen. Ages... probably 10-20. At the old age of 20 I found Jackson Browne. |
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Location: south east Michigan | Twisted... was that Tull concert down at Cobo??
At the age of 12 I fashioned a bracket and straped my Phillips a.m., 8 transistor radio to the handlebars of my Schwin bicycle. We listened to CKLW out of Windsor.
I had a small, portable Sony reel to reel tape recorder. Back in '67 we were making our own mix tapes.
Another milestone was when I won a contest in my High School math class and the prize was The Who's - TOMMY album.
And then.. we formed a garage band.
The rest is hisory. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Long live Captain Yo-Yo and the Sea Dogs !!! |
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Location: Michigan | Originally posted by Slipkid:
Twisted... was that Tull concert down at Cobo??
No, it was at the Silverdome believe it or not. Tull with special guests Rick Derringer and Robin Trower. Derringer was horrible but when Ian Anderson wheeled out his shopping cart full of instruments and segwayed into "Thick as a Brick" I was mesmorized right on through the second oncour of "Locomotive Breath"...still the best song I have heard live.
Great looking band you had there. Who'd a thunk those duds would be chic today. Love the fringe jacket, white pants and slick looking shoes. You guys must have gotten all the girls!
I wish I had started to play guitar at that age. But at least now I have an excuse. |
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Location: south east Michigan | Yea, those were the days alright.
Live Tull was great.
Do a YouTube search on them and you'll find hours worth of vintage an recent stuff. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | My window opened around 12 or 13.
Hasn't closed yet.
When it does it's time to quit. |
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Location: closely held secret | +1 on that, Beal. |
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| The first show of the Glen Cambbell Goodtime Hour back in '69. i was 12. |
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| There was never a time even in my earliest memories when there was not music in the house. My mother had been a singer on live radio before marriage, and was a great lover of music. She was the one who pushed me into guitar lessons as a child, wanting me to be the next Segovia. To her regret, I instead discovered Cream, Led Zep, Allman Bros., The Who, Yes, Doobie Bros., Cat Stevens, Little Feat, Flying Burrito Bros., Eagles, and many others. She never complained even to the end, as long as I'd play something just for her on occasion.
Oh yeah, +2 on Beal's last comment. |
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Location: Right now? | Oh, I LOVED Cream & Little Feat! Eddie Van Halen looks BAD, poor guy did have mouth cancer though.
I enjoyed seeing Joe Cocker recently in the movie "Across the Universe". My kids hated the movie, but I LOVED it! |
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Location: Right now? | Oh, my goodness! I just stumbled upon the probably well-known-around-here photo of Beal in the 1984 Ovation ad! You were SO handsome (Should I say "are" handsome?)! I don't want your wife coming after me, haha!
;)
Willa |
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Location: closely held secret | Don't see him wearing plaid much anymore... |
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Location: Right now? | Don't see him wearing plaid much anymore...
Ah, c'mon ... plaid is always fashionable!
;)
Willa |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | for boxers |
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Location: Upper Left USA | ah yes, Celtic camo...
I grew up hearing my older sisters on Folk/rock and my older brother as he went through his Alice Cooper phase. I learned to play guitar with the crosby, Stills, Nash & Young chord book as well as the Cat Steven's easy book.
So the mid seventies until the mid eighties when I put the guitar away and it became job/kids/house.
Then I picked it back up about 2002 and hit my head on this place. |
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| I'm still in my formative years.
I don't remember exactly when music hit me hard. All I can remember is that when I was in 6th grade, I just had to take up the flute. That lasted for a little while.
Then in 1986, after seeing the Monkees in concert (go ahead -- it's okay to laugh), I decided to get a cheap electric with an amp. It was a crummy Memphis guitar with a Holmes amp. I got rid of the guitar and got a Stinger by Martin electric (quite nice guitar).
And then I got my Walden in April 2007. It's been uphill ever since. It's a shame that I have a really nice guitar right now, but I seem to have no inclination to want to play it more. I guess I'm getting lazy/bored.
My influences are: Jim Croce and Maury Muhliesen, Zal Yanovsky, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, John Sebastian and John Denver, to name a few.
Michelle |
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Location: Budd Lake, NJ | My mom told me once that I was singing the "Mickey Mouse Club" song almost before I could talk (yes, the one with Jimmie, Roy, Cubby, Annette and the other original cast members.) My folks both sang, and we always sang on rides in the car. Then I started in choir at 8, clarinet at 9, learned to sight-sing at 10, guitar at 22, bass at 30--the window's never really closed.
Oh, there's things that hurt, now, when I'm finished playing that never used to complain, and sometimes it seems to take longer to learn something new--but, most importantly, the sheer joy of playing is still there. (And hopefully always will be.)
--Karen |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | My window was opened a little earlier than it should have because I was involved in show business at a young age with smaller orchestras playing big-band music. When I had my own guitar, it was do-wop, early rock and roll, surf music, the folk years, then some of the early British invasion. The window was almost closed by about 1969 (the year I graduated from high school). It reopened 10 years later with CW and about 8 years after that with classical and remains wide open today. |
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Location: Location Location Location | Both my parents were musical. My mom was an incredible dancer, and my dad played guitar. There was always music in the house, big band, '50's pop, and rock 'n roll, of which my mom, now 81, was a fan! I can't remember not having music as the focus of my life, and being a sponge for its influences. Everything was an influence, even today, in some of the more clever rap music, such as Snoop Dog, I hear rhythms that I want to imitate. There's influence everywhere.
Who are some? Sinatra, Glenn Miller, Beatles, Andrew Sisters, Tex Benecke, Bach, Elvis, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, 9 Inch Nails, Stone Temple Pilots, Snoop Dog, Charlie Byrd, Art Tatum, Chet Atkins, Thelonius Monk, Bill Evans, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Paul Simon, James Taylor, The Who, Graham Parker, Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, Squeeze... |
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Location: Location Location Location | ...missed my last edit opportunity, so just to add: The window sometimes closes a bit, but then I try to force it open, and let in some more air and light. |
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Location: Michigan | Originally posted by Slipkid:
Live Tull was great.
Do a YouTube search on them and you'll find hours worth of vintage an recent stuff. [/QB] Great idea, I had not done any Tull youtube searches. This version reminds me of that concert. We were waiting, yelling and screaming for the 2nd oncour when the piano of Locomotive Breath started...the place went wild!! Ah those were the days.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdz_G1VGJ4c&feature=related |
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Location: NJ | interesting topic.
I was put down in front of the tv in the play pen and my mom would either have american bandstand babysit me or cowboy shows. since cowboys played guitar that is what I wanted to do.
I was then infatuated with all the rock stuff and watched hallabaloo religiously (when my father would allow me))
so my most formative years were the 60's but so were the 70's 80's etc etc
I keep up with new trends and have been through
rock, folk, country, jazz, progressive, punk, experimental, new age, new wave etc periods in my life
bottom line is always growing always moving forward |
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Location: Pennsylvania | Originally posted by Jewel's Mom a/k/a Joisey Goil #1:
My mom told me once that I was singing the "Mickey Mouse Club" song almost before I could talk (yes, the one with Jimmie, Roy, Cubby, Annette and the other original cast members.) My folks both sang, and we always sang on rides in the car.
--Karen Did we grow up in the same house? lol
My dad was always walking around the house singing songs from the big band/swing era.
Have a pic of me diredting my kindergarten class rhythm band in concert for the parents. lol
Started piano lessons at age 8. First guitar at 15 but self taught until in my early twenties when I took lessons for awhile.
The deepest, most intense time would probably be the time from 7th grade into 11th grade. During that time I was very focused on becoming a seconary music teacher. Didn't happen for many reasons. But has always been, and always will be, an integral part of my life. |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | My interest began at around 5 or 6 when my mom taught me a song I sang in a kindergarden commensement ceremony; then at eleven, I first heard the Beatles "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" on my transistor radio: WGH AM in Tidewater VA. That was the pivotal moment for me and it hasn't stopped yet...I hope it never does. |
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Location: Right now? | Who are some? Sinatra, Glenn Miller, Beatles, Andrew Sisters, Tex Benecke, Bach, Elvis, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, 9 Inch Nails, Stone Temple Pilots, Snoop Dog, Charlie Byrd, Art Tatum, Chet Atkins, Thelonius Monk, Bill Evans, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Paul Simon, James Taylor, The Who, Graham Parker, Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, Squeeze...
Ohhhh ... I love all those guys! The last time I saw Graham Parker he was at some 'dump' club here in NJ, playing acoustic only. The place was a dump (Club Bene) but the show was fantastic! I LOVE Nick Lowe's "Gotta Be Cruel To Be Kind", too. Simply too many to mention, huh?! My son LOVES the Beatles, but can't recognize all their songs ... I heard him tell one of his friends the other day that he was amazed that "Mom knew all the lyrics to all their songs" ... FUNNY! I remember spending HOURS, every day, holed up in my bedroom, listening to their music on my stereophonic record player!
;)
Willa |
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Location: Location Location Location | Willa, we may have just officially bonded! ;)
We MAY be the only two on the same planet... |
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Location: Right now? | LOL, Gary! I think so!
;)
Willa |
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Location: Central Florida | Formative years? All of ‘em.
Don’t remember a window opening… Don’t remember a window at all…
Come to think of it, where music is concerned I don’t recall ever having a wall to put a window in.
I think all music influences me in one way or another. Pop du jour or off the radar obscure, east or west hemisphere, centuries or minutes old, there is just so much to be influenced by. I’m even influenced by Rap. It makes me want to kill speakers. :eek:
Otto
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Location: Central Florida | Originally posted by Capt.Lovehandles, Head Counselor:
I have no problem harmonizing... That is a fact.
English is just Jas’ second language. Harmony is his primary.
I love singing with this guy. :cool:
Otto
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Location: Reisterstown, Maryland | Originally posted by matrix:
The first show of the Glen Cambbell Goodtime Hour back in '69. i was 12. Only I was 13. Before then I listened to whatever my older brother was into but it was that big a deal. Now I appreciate all types.
Anita |
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Location: Newington, CT | It hit me early in the spectator sense. I loved to listen to the radio when I was just a young tyke. Casey Kasem, of course! Enjoyed EARLY pop stuff (Burning Bridges [Mike Curb Congregation?], Hang 'em High [Booker T and the MG's] come to mind). Anyone remember George McCannon III (Birds of all Nations or something like that).
Then, at age 18 or so, fell in love with the guitar. Instantly the influences went to guitarists. Started with Ritchie Blackmore and Jimmy Page and moved to the Mclaughlin's DiMeola's and Coryell's of the world.
Of course, was perfectly unable to play like that, but DID push myself to try to learn how. If I'm any good at all now, it's thanks to those stellar talents.
Musically HEAVILY influenced by classical music and the desire to produce compelling melody in a rhythm-obsessed world.
So, in sum, the window opened early, probably at the age of four or five, and never closed from a growth/understanding/learning perspective.
I DID slam the door on the guitar for an unreasonably long time, but re-opened it and have re-taken to it with gusto. Current influences: many! Dobro's one of 'em! |
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Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | I've listened to music over watching TV for as far back as I can remember. Mom used to say that all she had to do was turn on the radio and throw me in the playpen and I was content for hours.
As for the formative "guitar years", I'm still in them and feel like I'm just learning to walk after 20+ years :) |
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| One thing I forgot to add: when I was younger, my family had a tabletop organ. I can't remember the brand, but I do remember playing "Sidewalks of New York."
We then later got a Thomas organ, complete with a light up keyboard! It had a color coded book, and my mom used to play "Somewhere My Love" a lot.
Michelle |
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Location: Reisterstown, Maryland | I'm starting my granddaughter early. When she was just 4-5 months old I'd lay her on my bed and I'd sit in front of her with my guitar. I'd put her little feet on the body and strum away, she loved it. As she got older we would put her in her swing and I'd play and she wouldn't fuss as mom would fix her dinner. I still play lots of oldies
Anita |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Mom loved to sing and play piano. Dad made up in volume what he lacked in pitch. My first interest in a musical instrument was the sax, but I thought it was called a clarinet, so I told my folks I wanted to play clarinet. After they signed me up and rented a clarinet, I didn't have the heart to tell them I made a mistake. I bacame a pretty good clarinet player, which wasn't very masculine, but as the only male in a high school band with about 14 clarinets, there were some advantages.
I quit that when we moved and got into choirs as well as listening to popular music in the 60s. I only became interested in guitar in college, when I thought someone was screwing up the intro to a Bread song and learned how to do it correctly on my brother's guitar. Another classmate needed money and sold me a Univox 335 copy, so I decided I better figure out how to use it. Everyone was playing Ovations then, so my first new guitar was the Matrix I still have. |
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Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado | Good thread!
My Mom was a classically trained pianist. Her teacher was originally a student of Franz Liszt. So music was in my house even before I was born. One of my first memories is of the piano being played while I was in my crib. Also the monotonous sound of a mimeograph that my Mom used in her work. (Maybe that's where my rhythm came from.) I also remember listening to 45s on a kiddie record player. Jimmy Rogers... and a bunch of others I don't remember. So if there is such a window, that time is when mine opened. As for closing.. Guess that happens when I take my last breath.. As for influences. The first group I ever listened to was The Kingston Trio. My sister was big into Elvis and Johnny Mathis. So they made an impression on me. After that, it would be easier to list what I don't like than what I dig! And the Internet just makes it that much harder to decide what to burn next for my collection!
Then you folks keep turning me on to new music and new artists!! I will NEVER get it all downloaded!!
Cc |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | For me, it's more like a hatch than a window ... |
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Location: Yalova/Turkey | When about 12 I heard a lot of oldies from the fifties, Platters, Jimmy Rodgers... than I discovered symphonic rock, Genesis, Renaissance and so on, on the other hand Deep Purple... later on more Supertramp. But now I like Turkish folk songs as much as Victor Jara from Chile or Goran Bregovic with his Balkan Music, Louis Armstrong or Aretha Franklin, as long as there is a splendid rhythm and wonderful melodies. Guess there has not been a real "formation"... |
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Location: Yalova/Turkey | Gee, forgot Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Jim Croce, The Beatles, Cat Stevens and many more... |
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YOUR formative years?