Ritva invites us to turn up the volume and “capture the energy, excitement, and emotion of live music—or anything connected to it. Think instruments, the crowd, listeners, and most importantly, the emotions and feelings that music sparks in us all.” I always loved going to live music dances (Paul Rivere & the Raiders, Three Dog Night), big name concerts (Tony Bennett, Pat Metheny), and the Mount Hood Festival of Jazz in Portland Oregon, where I was blessed to see many Jazz greats (Dave Brubeck, Stan Getz, Charlie Hayden & Quartet West, Gene Harris), to name a few.
Sixty years ago, at the age of 17, I purchased this Victrola at an Auction in Albion, Washington for $15.00. I have cherished it through the years, and if I could find someone to lubricate it, I’m pretty sure it would spin out sound again!
When people ask how I met Creighton, my husband of 57 years, I tell them the true story of when a mutual friend was visiting Creighton at the University of Washington, and appealed to me to ask Creighton to loan him his Gibson 6 string – again.
Creighton and his Gibson in his dorm room, 1967.
LP records, cassette tapes, CD’s and instruments have filled our lives with music. His first bass was the Epiphone in the photo below that also features about half of our CD collection.
Creighton played bass in 3 different bands, and I sang in our Jazz Casual trio, with Creighton on bass, and dear friend Bill Wilson on guitar.
A wonderful collection of musical instruments and experiences in your post, Lindy—and that CD library is something to envy. You’ve also got a beautiful theme tie‑in to your musician husband.
I lost all my CDs in a fire about a dozen years ago… sad, but now replaced by streaming and satellite. I’ve still got about a dozen albums from the 1960s that were spared, though I have nothing to play them on now.
Thank you, John. We have a few LPs too, and like you nothing to play them on!
Mostly I tune into my favorite Pandora stations and stream them to an OontZ speaker. Just right for having calming and upbeat tunes in the background.
I have sung, played and listened to music, from classical to jazz and just about everything in between all my life. I can’t imagine living without it, but I once performed in a show at Gallaudet College, the school for the deaf in Washington D.C., and they have ways of producing vibrations (drumming, dancing etc.) to give deaf people a musical experiences.
You amaze me, Jill. Music keeps us alive and thriving. Love and hugs 😘🤗
Such a fun peek into your world Lindy! Loved the old photos of (I assume) you husband on the guitar. How nice to have a musician in the family! I too love Pandora, almost as good as the real thing!
Music keeps the mood friendly and welcoming. Hope your move is going well ❣️
This is a wonderful, touching post. Stories of how music is intertwined in your life over the years are told well in your photos and text. Each one is full of meaning. Thank you for sharing.
PS: That Victrola music console looks awesome, I hope you find someone to lubricate it.
Thank you for your thoughts and support! Music is the best companion for all.
You just amaze me. You and I both have places on the Long Beach Peninsula. (mine is in Oysterville – a cute place, if you’ve never been), we’re both interested in (or involved with) natural resources & conservation, and both have ties to music – although our musical tastes might diverge a bit. For me, Paul Revere & the Raiders, but big name concerts were Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Gordon Lightfoot, etc. I volunteer with the Portland FolkMusic Society (& am the concert volunteer coordinator). I also own a gramophone. Mine has a tin horn, is in a smaller wood case, and sits on a table, rather than the floor. I bought it in Mexico about 52 years ago, and carried it back to Seattle. It also needs work these days. You have more CD’s than I do!
Anyway, at each photo, I chuckled anew! Thanks for this one – Barbara Hollenbeck
Thank you❣️Creighton was playing folk tunes on his guitar when we met. We went to many Seattle Folk events when we lived there. Still love it. All of the music of the universe 🤗
We must be close to the same age…because I’m from Seattle & I went to all those Folk festivals, concerts, fairs, etc. Plus, coffee houses with open mic sessions. I play guitar, but am very shy about playing, so I played backgammon & sang along! Smiling…
I’m 77 and Creighton is 80🎸
I’m chuckling – I’m 76 and my now ex will be 80 on December 25 (although he hails from the Boston area). Are you from Seattle or the Seattle area?
Great classic turntable and personal guitar greats. xo
Thank you, Rebecca. Music is the universal language. 🤗
How wonderful to have music in your lives Lindy, and to be able to play instruments (husband) and sing (you.) I can’t even carry a tune, but I still love to listen and enjoy music.
Thank you, Anne. If you can walk, you can dance. If you can’t talk you can sing. Sing to yourself and the universe ❣️
I do!!
Lindy, I really enjoyed this glimpse into how important music has been in your life. I love the Victrola!
Thank you, Beth. Music is the language of the universe. It nurtures much like water and air😘
Oh, Lindy, what a beautiful post – filled with music, memories and a life still playing and singing! I used to play the organ, the guitar and the flute, as well as singing in a quire. My husband never did anything of this. But my daughter plays the flute and my son plays saxophone. Sometimes I miss those days, because I have a quiet life and that’s what I want…still, when I look at your photos and read your words…I miss those dancing days.
Thank you, Leya. My life is much quieter now as well. Having those moments engraved into my being sustains me as I age ❣️