Good morning, Blues people. Today, I want to share a time from my life that was filled with confusion. The fucked up 1980's . The 1980s were a challenging period for me as a musician.
The 1980s saw the rise of disco and electronic instruments. I was already smoking my guitar and blowing my harmonica, deeply immersed in the rhythms of blues and classic soul. But suddenly, a new wave of music took over – disco and rap. These genres were mostly electronic, with instruments replaced by synthesizers and keyboards. As a young musician, I felt out of place and disconnected. It was like the music world no longer needed people like me. It was a sad time for live musicians. The music made us dance but sounded like shit !
I found myself on the dance floor more often than the stage. I became a big-time dancer, grooving to the beats but missing my guitar. Then came hip hop, which initially intrigued me with its poetic lyrics. I dabbled in early hip hop, but the genre quickly turned too vulgar for my taste. The cursing and the gangster mentality pushed me away. So, I put my guitar down and stepped away from music for quite a few years.
One day, I ran into one of my old girlfriends, who handed me an old Yamaha G-55 guitar she had found in a house she had just rented. She knew about my love for music and gospel playing from our time together, so she thought I should have it. That old Yamaha, with its plastic strings rekindled something inside me.
I took the guitar home, cut off the plastic strings, and replaced them with metal ones. The tension was too much for the old guitar, causing it to crack in the back. But I didn't care. I played that guitar for a long time, and it reignited my passion for music. Slowly, I started playing more and more, just enough to keep my skills sharp and entertain myself and those around me.
Despite my renewed interest in playing, I never had the desire to become a professional musician or a touring artist. I simply enjoyed playing, and people seemed to enjoy listening to me. That was enough for me. It was never about fame or fortune; it has always been about the love of music.
So, that's my story of coming through the challenging 1980s. Sometimes, life takes us away from our passions, but if we're lucky, something or someone can help us find our way back. I'll keep playing, sharing my music with those who care to listen, and living the bluesman's life.
What do you think about the music from that era ?
Stay soulful,