![]() ![]() ![]() So where is the holy grail of pop memorabilia the catalyst that changed the world? Well that’s what this is all about. And that’s what makes Julia’s banjo so important without it, The Beatles would never have existed and, without them, everything we know today would be different. It was John’s mother, Julia, who taught him to play her banjo and turned him on to Rock ‘n’ Roll. In 2000, a piano he once owned sold at auction for 1.5 million pounds so it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the very first instrument he learned to play has got to be worth millions more. Since John Lennon died anything connected with him has soared in value. My mother taught it to me on the banjo, sitting there with endless patience until I managed to work out all the chords” JOHN LENNON You can rent most any instrument from area dealers at affordable rates, and even if your child isn't the next "superstar," learning to play by ear or by taking lessons will make them truly appreciate those who are.“The very first tune I ever learned to play was ‘That’ll Be The Day’. Parents, if your child has been wanting to play an instrument why not give it a try? Encourage them even if your ears tell you otherwise! Regardless, I've never had anyone who plays come up to me and say "Gee, I wish I did not know how to play an instrument!"Īt first, learning to play isn't going to provide the most pleasant of sounds, but isn't that the way most new ventures are? Sure, not everyone learns to play or sing so that they can be famous. Of course, there are many good examples of families that not only encouraged their children to learn an instrument but also joined them in very successful groups: The Staple Singers, The Judds, Van Halen, Del McCoury and Spirit are just a few who followed this unlikely path. In the end, Karen stopped eating, which eventually led to heart failure caused by chronic anorexia in 1983 at the age of only 32. It's difficult to fathom that Agnes hated her daughter's voice, and her total lack of showing love to her was heartbreaking to Karen. Sure, Richard was a fine composer and arranger, but it was Karen's vocals that understandably garnered most of the attention.Īgnes Carpenter was so adamant about the lack of her daughter's stage presence that, in the early days of the group, she insisted that she play drums in the backline of the band so that Richard could be the front "showman." Unfortunately, in the case of Karen Carpenter, she was unable to deal with her controlling mother Agnes, who felt that her son, Richard, was the true star in The Carpenters. Thankfully, the stubborn Lennon continued to play, then wrote some of the most memorable songs … many of them with a guitar! What would have happened if Lennon had followed his Aunt Mimi's advice? After all, he eventually played rhythm guitar with The Beatles and rarely did solos. Julia had bought her soon-to-be-famous son an acoustic guitar just one year earlier, and loved to hear her son play mostly banjo chords on the instrument.Īfter Julia's death, Mimi was quite vocal in her dislike of the instrument and his extremely rudimentary talent. Mimi was John's paternal guardian as he had lost his mother Julia, who was killed in 1958 when she was struck by a car driven by an off-duty policeman. The above quote from John Lennon 's Aunt Mimi Smith is one of the most famous in the history of music. "The guitar's all right, John, but you'll never make a living at it." ![]()
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