Hey Friend,
I battled with myself over sending this email out.
On one hand I wanted to share something kinda cool from my Rock & Roll guitar journey.
But on the other, I thought, “So what?”
I mean, just because it’s cool bit of history for me doesn’t really matter to you, right?
Anyway, I decided to run with it and leave it in your capable judgment.
Think of it as if we’re all sitting around a campfire telling stories… This is my “almost" brush with greatness story:
Every few months I receive the newest alumni magazine from my alma mater, Kent State University (yep, the same one referenced in the song “ Ohio” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young).
I was pleasantly surprised to find an old photo and article about the first band of one of my favorite guitarists, Joe Walsh.
Like so many other budding musicians at the time, the Beatles' first visit to the United States had a huge effect on Joe and his bandmates. The Measles became his launchpad for a career that’s lasted over 50 years.
Joe’s next band was one you’re more likely to be familiar with - The James Gang.
As I researched this, I was surprised to learn that he wasn’t a founding member. I guess I just always assumed that that he was, since he ended up being the frontman.
But had I known when I was a kid what I just found out now, I might have been more serious about the opportunity I had then (Hindsight, you are a true teacher!).
You see, when I was 14 or 15, I took guitar lessons at a small music shop near my high school in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
My instructors name was Bill Jeric. He introduced me to the ways of Jimmy Page, teaching me how to play Stairway to Heaven in its entirety.
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