What an unlikely trio to crsoss paths on this day in Rock History, John & Julian Lennon & Kurt Cobain.

Twelve Minutes in Rock History - April 8th - I did this sketch with a Kimberly 2 H Pencil that blends quite nicely in twelve minutes, my last Stevie Sketch was done with this same type of pencil and I love the feel of it.

Make love, not war was something Lennon lived by and for his life to be tragically taken in 1980 from such a violent act, shocked the masses. A father & son sit and a moment in time was captured. Julian Lennon was born on April 8th, 1963, and ironically on this day 31 years after, Kurt Cobain on his own accord, became lifeless.

The cosmic possibilities in our lives are almost non-comprehensible. A man who set the 1960’s on the seat of peace, and asked us all to “Imagine” do you ever think he imagined, what our world would be in the 1990’s or into the new millenium?

He sits with his son in the photo, and the proud father is evident. In the eyes of Cobain, a tortured soul emerged and took control.

We go to great lengths for our children, Cobains story was not an unfamilar one on the scene of rock.

Do not let your memories live only in photo’s, reach out to your kids and those you love & appreciate. Capture those moments in time and reach out to them now, before they get away. Let them know how much they are loved, you may not get another chance.

Guitar Hero has skyrocketed to every office conversation and into so many homes.  I have no clue how to play guitar, I tried bass, but let’s just say, that fat lady sang within minutes.  I leave the guitar wizardy to my husband and my son.

This sketch is of “my guitar hero” with a Gibson ‘69 Deluxe, with soap bar pickups, these two pictures where taken when Buck was about 17 years old, on the rooftop of their apartment in Arlington Heights, Illinois.   This guitar was purchased at Olsens Music in Palatine, brand spanking new.  

The first song he attempted to play and has since perfect was by Grand Funk - Inside Looking Out.   His favorite guitar of present day is an Custom Epiphone Dot, with Seth Lover pickups and a ABR Bridge, the reason for tone.   The Acoustic of choice these days is an Epiphone PR 5 Limited Cherry Finish.   Look for his video on YouTube coming soon circa 1985 - with Future History. Gotta get my son out of bed to do that, and off of Xbox.

Playing through an Ampeg Gemini 2, vintage 1968 is what produces the sweet sound of Heartbreaker by Grand Funk that continues to be a household favorite.  It works well for his re-arrangement for My Guitar Gently Weeps and several originals.   And don’t forget your original tube screamer!

House of Texas Music was one of our favorite hang out’s down in Austin.   As mentioned in my previous post, one of my Stevie Ray sketches found a home with Ray Hennig.  Never did I imagine they would be as kind to display it front & center.

When we left the shop on Thursday, I figured Ray would hang the picture in the back of his store, he said he did not want it to get stolen. 

Well, we stopped in Saturday before we left, and when Buck held the door for me, there in the front of the store, is my Stevie.

My passion for drawing Stevie is like no other, the lines of his face and that boxer nose of his flow pretty freely with any type of pencil.  He has a unique nose, from a surgery from when he was a young child. 

I am completely honored that in Stevie’s favorite guitar store, hangs one of my sketches.   The store is filled with walls of guitars and nostalgia on the wall.  I spent hours walking around and reading about all the accomplishments of Ray and many of the players that have walked through House of Texas.  1002-1004 South Lamar Street, Austin!

Sitting in the aisle where Stevie found Number One, knowing he sat there for hours felt as if we were living a piece of true blues history.  A man that had a passion, but no cash, rose to fame because of his true love and dedication to what he knew he was supposed to do.  The feelings and emotions that were part of  Stevie’s soul, came out through his music, he left us with so much of it to enjoy. 

But, let’s not forget the man, listening to Ray’s stories, behind this player, was a compassionate, humble and loving person.  For those that knew him, he left a mark way beyond his music.  For those of us who didn’t, we could only hope to be as dedicated and humble to our passions, family & friends.