Monday, June 18, 2007

Father's Day

When I was about 15 years old, I saw a picture of Paul Stanley from KISS playing a guitar called an Iceman. It was in all of the guitar magazines, sometimes as a centre spread that made Playboy look dull. My local guitar shop had one that no body could afford to buy. It was beautiful, it was sexy, and I wanted one.

3 months ago, one appeared at my local guitar shop (not the same one, that closed down many years ago). It was second hand and the price was stupidly cheap. But I could still not afford to buy it, as we were cost cutting to clear a credit card. I went home and told my wife about it. The next day it had gone, clearly snapped up by someone who knew a bargain when they saw one.

Yesterday was Father's Day in the UK. The kids brought me my presents in bed - DVDs, chocolate and a new guitar strap. I needed the strap as I have 5 guitars and 2 straps, and this one was really cute - fluffy and brightly coloured.

Then breakfast arrived, with a note on the tray. This was the start of a trail of clues (including one from my FIL by phone) that eventually led me to the shed.

In am sure that you are all much quicker than I was...


Yes, Clare, my wife, had been the person who snapped up the Iceman and then kept it hidden for 3 months. It is beautiful, it plays itself, it has sustain that just goes on and on, even when it is not plugged in and not being played you can hear the B string holding that note...

Now I really MUST find a band to play in!

6 comments:

Logzie said...

As soon as you said that it was gone the next day...I was thinking that your wife bought it for you and I smiled very big thru the rest of the post!!

Your wife sounds absolutely amazing John! That is so awesome that she did that and that cool game of clues...HOW FUN!

I am glad you got your guitar...I wish you many many good times with it...and your family!

Happy Father's Day!

Terri said...

That's awesome! I'm so excited for you... and now you absolutely HAVE to post a soundbite of you playing!

krista said...

It must have drove your wife crazy not being able to tell you for 3 months about the guitar! Especially after she saw your sad face when the guitar was "sold". I would have loved to see her and your face when you found the guitar in the shed! Ricky LOVES KISS...maybe this will encourage him to post!

mr zig said...

now THAT is a totaly awesome fathers day gift! Oh man - So I guess we know what you'll be doing during any free time you have for the next while! :)

Pat Jenkins said...

dude you rock, i hope it can play "Do You Love Me". i want to hear you jam on it too.

Rock Chef said...

Logzie - Yes, my wife is truly amazing, especially 22 years on!

Terri - Working on a soundbite, but I hate recording myself - brings back awful memories of days in recording studios...

Krista - Yes,she said that keeping the secret was the hardest thing she has ever done.
For the record, when I opened the shed door my mouth fell open and I said "HOLY S%$t".

Zig - I can't put it down and my fingers are really sore. There my be blood soon...

Pat - I don't actually know how to play any KISS songs. Better start, I think!