Greetings from Laurel Canyon!
Now my hair gets longer as the beat gets stronger / Wanna tell Chuck Berry my news / I get my kicks outta guitar licks / And I’ve sold my steel-toed shoes
As October gives way to shorter and cooler days, old Joe Biden reminded us last night, “It’s gonna be a dark winter.” Mercury is in retrograde and they say it’s an opportune time to “clean your desk.” I’m taking this as a metaphor and taking it to heart.
During Covid I’ve been meditating. During my sessions it’s dawned on me that the time has come to let the past go, and I’m talking all things! As a record collector, it literally pains me to part with any rock ‘n’ roll relic, but this was the week. I parted with my ’59 Les Paul Jr and my well worn pair of 32-year-old custom engineer boots.
Yep, I cried and said goodbye to my “rock ‘n’ roll shoes” and the Johnny Thunders guitar. It was hard and painful but it’s someone else’s turn to play in that gear. I’m headed into the future, feeling certain that with change will come more rocking and rolling!
Here’s an hour of music—some of it about letting go—and guitars of old.
Stay safe, connected, compassionate—and we all better fucking vote.
The Idelic Single of the Week: Midnight Sister – Wednesday Baby
One last strum.
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Today, after 30 years, I bid farewell to my 59 Les Paul Jr. She’s in capable hands.
