![]() It was 1967 and I showed up early for a show at the Esquire starring an R&B artist called TV Mama. But, it was a chance meeting that gave me both a lifelong friend and my start in the world of music. I was also years ahead of the other guys my age in life experience. I got to see R&B artists like King Curtis and others live and up close- talk about a great learning experience! I was becoming a good enough player by now for people to sit up and take notice. There I would play three sets a night in a band called The Soulmates at the Grand National or the Esquire Show Bar- at that time two of the city’s biggest R&B clubs. After school, studies and making supper for my father, I would take a bus to downtown Montreal. My life’s routine soon revolved entirely around my playing. It was around that time that I acquired a Fender Esquire guitar and a Fender Showman amp. ![]() My mother passed away when I was in my sophomore year of high school, and I had to cope with a new way of life. I will be the first one to admit that, along with my guitar, women have been a constant in my life. Guys back then were into cars and competition, and music helped me to connect with the girls. Of course, this proved to have a positive effect on my social life, as I tended to be on the shy side. I loved the blues and there were so many players out there to show me the way. I was into copping licks off the likes of Howard Roberts, BB King, and Albert King. Imagine if you will, eating at a table with someone holding a fork in one hand and a guitar pick in the other, that was supper at the Rossi household! Halfway through high school my friends began to take notice as my style began to develop. ![]() The guitar became the only thing I could think of, after school, on weekends, at the dinner table, anywhere, everywhere and any time. The songs were fine but what captivated me were the effects they created- especially the guitar sounds. ![]() The ensuing experience convinced me to learn to play by myself.Įlvis Presley, Little Richard, The Ventures, Duane Eddy – they were all over the radio at the time. I walked into a 6X4 room and was met by a very large man smoking a smelly twisted cigar. I called for an appointment and showed up to the lesson full of expectation. I decided to take my first formal guitar lesson when my fingers were long and strong enough to properly grasp the guitar neck. In short order my friends, games, and my beloved Torpado racing bicycle were soon forgotten. That old beat-up acoustic guitar of his was, to me, the most beautiful object in the world. I found myself spending hours on end passing my fingers over those six strings. From that moment on my life changed direction. It was at the end of grade school that I finally earned the right to hold the magic instrument in my hands.It came as a reward for bringing home a medal of honour for Application and Personality. He had a limited repertoire and so he played the same four chords endlessly. I would sit and watch my father’s fingers moving along the neck of the guitar- taken by the sound they produced. As far back as I can remember the music was always there. Whenever they got together with their friends, the wine would flow and music would fill the house. My mother was a Neapolitan gypsy who loved to sing, and my father was a carpenter who enjoyed playing the guitar. If pressed, I would say that part of the reason lies with my parents. ![]() Throughout my lifetime, I have never really questioned why music has been my passion. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |