Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Ted, you're not related to the Ted Williams of the Boston Bumsox are you?

AFAIK, I'm not related to any famous Williams'. Not Andy, not Paul, not Ted. Nor am I related to Sonny Boy Williamson.

Carole: Been away from the computer for a day, and I see things have really taken off on this thread.... You mentioned that Suzi is recovering from surgery; nothing serious, I hope? It sounds like she is quite a versatile musician. I play a lot of instruments too, with varying degrees of skill (I guess you could say that musically I am the "Jack of all trades and master of none!").... I took piano and violin lessons as a kid, and within the last 7 years have started playing guitar, and two years ago my husband bought me a Celtic harp for Christmas. I was just beginning to learn to play that when he put my first Rickenbacker into my hands....and I really haven't been playing anything else since! As far as musical instruments go the Rics rule.... I now have nine of them: two 12-string electrics, 5 6-string electrics, 1 bass, and 1 Ric acoustic. Each one is different and special and I love playing all of them. Oh, and my husband got me a mandolin this past Christmas, but it has hardly gotten any play because of my love for the Rics (however, I really do love the sound of the mandolin, too).... But I just haven't had the time to learn another instrument yet (I'm a stay-at-home mom with 2 young children). Anyway, when you get a chance, ask Suzi if she still plays a Rickenbacker--I really would love to know!

Ted,
Now Sonny Boy would have been cool!

Carole and all: I am amazed at the way in which this thread has taken off. There is a wealth of information about Suzi here. I too want to know many things about Suzi, including but not limited to, why did she let the first Rickenbacker 12-string go, did she use it on any recordings and if so are they still available, and does she still own a Rickenbacker instrument.

Well, maybe we should coerce Suzi into writing a book for her Rickenbacker fans. I can't answer a lot of the questions. They'd have to come from Suzi. Sorry, folks.

Melissa: Wow! That's quite an accomplishment. Are you planning on teaching your children to play?

Judging by the pics from the Darden festival website she is not playing a Ric. I suppose she could still own one, but she is not playing one on the website.

Carole....Yes, both of my children really love music and my older son (age 6) is quickly developing a love for "all things Rickenbacker" (I wonder why?).... I have been trying to teach him some chords on his child-sized guitar, and when I think he is ready I will sign him up for lessons. I have a feeling that by the time he is a teenager he will be playing circles around me! As for myself, I didn't mean to sound like I was bragging; as I said, some of my instruments I can barely play. But I do okay on piano, violin and guitar.... Lately it's been the Rics that have captivated my attention.

At any rate, I'm impressed. I can't walk past those little electronic keyboards without wanting one. Took lessons as a child and the teacher just couldn't relay her message to me, so we gave it up. Tried to learn my brother's guitar and my fingers got so sore, I gave that up too. Since then I just use my ears to envy you who can play.

Suzi called today. Sounds a whole lot better than she did. I hated to ask her a bunch of questions, but I did.

Rick, Suzi said she wasn't playing a Rickenbacker at the festival because it's electrical. It's Bluegrass music so she uses an acoustical Martin there.

Melissa: She still has a Rickenbacker bass, but she said the guitar was the sweetest of all.

Peter, Suzi was wondering if Francis Hall is still alive.

Carole: Sadly, Mr. F.C. Hall, passed away in 1999.

Carole: Now I have about a million more questions! What model Ric bass does she have? And why did she ever give up that beautiful 12-string? All of this info about Suzi is very intriguing....

Carole-

I've been following this thread with great interest. Thanks for your contributions. I was wondering if any recordings exist of Suzi playing the RIC 12? I suspect this would be of great interest to many RIC fans here.

jim

As have I been following this with great interest. A recording would be wonderful... do I dare guess the ric bass Miss Arden owns is that 4005 from the photo of her band? And Melissa, is your 6 year old son's child sized guitar a 325? (couldn't resist)!

Suzi did an album called "Live at the Mint." The guitar could have been used on all those recordings. I saw one for sale on eBay not long ago, but it is hard to come by. The album features Leon Richardson, Lucky Clark, and Jerry Vance. Tunes included are "Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey," "Going Out of My Head," "Green, Green," "We'll Sing in the Sunshine," "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You," "Mental Revenge," and "Danny Boy."