THE BEATLES RUINED MY LIFE...

chingnchime · Post by **chingnchime** » Tue Jan 03, 2006 10:42 pm

Okay, while there's a definite tongue in cheek element here, I often wonder (as any 51 year old player might) how my life would've been different if the Fabs hadn't influenced me so much. Whenever any musician friend of mine complains about a lousy or bad paying gig or something, I often smile and say, "That's what you get for wanting to be a Beatle!" I'm philosophical about it, but i'd be lying if I didn't admit to a twinge of regret occasionally. Anyone else? Be honest!

revolver323 · Post by **revolver323** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 5:46 am

Steve, I hear ya. I have to admit that I occasionally wonder what might have happened had I actually gone through with my intentions, formed at age 16, to be an English teacher. Ideally, I would now be retired (I'm 56) with a nice pension. But now that I've been out of high school for almost 40 years, I realize that nothing ever works out ideally (OK, I'm a slow study.) So, do I regret having become a bass player because of Paul McCartney? Absolutely not. I love playing bass. I was a musician long before I became a bass player. Playing bass allowed me to go places no English teacher ever would have been welcome. My bands opened for the Allman Brothers, the James Gang, Chicago, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Bloodrock, Deep Purple, Yes, the Young Rascals and even Night Ranger, which gives you an idea of the length of my career as a rock musician.
In my life I've been a musician, a writer, a bookstore manager, a music store manager. My band even released a 45 on Buddah Records in 1970, even though it never did a thing. Not everyone can say that. One of my best friends and a former bandmate (Steve Dudas) is now Ringo Starr's guitarist. Another friend and bandmate has played with Billy Joel and Carly Simon. Both are near my age, both are still playing for a living (even though one of them is still playing local bars). What sets us apart? They had more talent, for sure, but more importantly they had the guts to stick it out in music no matter what it took. That's what I really regret -- that I didn't have the perseverance they had. I mean, even if I was still playing in bars today, but making a living at it -- and enjoying it -- what more could I ask for? How is that different than driving a bus for a living? Instead, I've had a string of "real jobs" that paid pretty well but left me with no sense of satisfaction. I've never stayed in any one job for longer than six years. For satisfaction I still turn to music.

There are a lot of people like us, Steve. But I don't blame the Beatles for "ruining my life," even in a tongue in cheek way. I thank them for opening doors that otherwise would never have existed, let alone been open to me. Without them, I'd have been just another retired, frustrated, semi-rich English teacher. Instead, I'm just another non-retired, frustrated, semi-poor bass player trapped in a retail store manager's body.

And right now in an electronic forum in a parallel universe, a successful musician is wondering why he didn't have the guts to be an English teacher. "In My Life," indeed.

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 6:03 am

Steve, the Beatles certainly ruined my life. Upon hearing them I immediately aspired to become a rock star, discovering my talent was limited in this arena I pursued what I thought would be the next best thing. I got into radio. I figured if I couldn't 'play' I would at least 'play' 'em. All the hits you know. Far too many years later in this lackluster career and I have the Fabs, plus every other mid '60s pop artists, to thank for my fledgling position. But I wouldn't trade a thing which might have caused me to miss their music and those years in my life. Certainly a once in a lifetime experience.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 9:33 am

Your life might not have turned out like you "planned", but it probably was a heck of a lot more joyous and fun!

I know I get a feeling when I play in front of a crowd that is unlike any other.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 9:46 am

yup... asbolutely ruined. All the detailed life plans I had in 5th grade were blown to bits when I saw the Fabs on Ed SUllivan. George especially was responsible and I'm thinking of launching a wrongful-life lawsuit against him.

{ s l a p }.... wait a minute, in 5th grade my "life plan" consisted only of lasting long enough to reach the playground at 3pm! Oh well, so much for my lawsuit.

The Beatles and their music have been nothing but a joy (and as a record collector, a slight finacnial drain) to me.

Now, at 52, I'm trying to fit in all that "being in a band" stuff that others got out of their systems in their teens and twenties. You might say I'm a late bloomer.

grinch · Post by **grinch** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 10:04 am

Well, being 16, and judging how I spent more time on that website than my homework...

I guess you could say that the Beatles are "currently" ruining my life, as we speak.

eddied · Post by **eddied** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 10:04 am

I can't imagine life without the music of the Beatles. No McCartney melodies? No Rickenbacker licks? Pumpin'gas could have been in cards, but dreams were all inspired by the music of the 60's for me, and the anticipation of the next Beatle 45 was to die for back when I was a teenager!!

jamie · Post by **jamie** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 10:15 am

I was already on the road to being a musician when I became aware of the Beatles. They were a huge inspiration to me but at the time so was Glen Campbell to a lesser extent ;-^

I had always dreamed of what it was like to be in their shoes but I've since made peace with the fact I won't ever experience what they have and am happy just being able to be playing music.

chingnchime · Post by **chingnchime** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 11:02 am

Thought I'd add another 2 cents since i started this thread. In my life as a player I (and many of you, I'll bet)may not have millionaire homes, toured the world and been the idol of millions, but we had our 'perks' (nudge nudge, wink wink)in the sex, drugs and rock and roll dept. I remember when just walking into a club w/ your equipment to set up used to catch a few feminine eyes and automatically put you in line in front of the geeks sitting at the bar! Now the women just think, 'Oh, here comes another broke musician!'I could go on, but by now you're all probably headed down memory lane, recalling your own 'perks'...

revolver323 · Post by **revolver323** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 2:08 pm

Perks from being a musician? Well, I met my first wife in high school band. I lost my first wife over a girl I met in a bar. I met every one of my next six or seven girlfriends in bars. I met my current wife in a bar (26 years ago). Almost all my friends are musicians. My worst day in music was still 1,000 times better than my best day in any other "career." I guess those are perks. BTW, I would not want to be a 20 year old playing in bars now because the girls there are smarter.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:55 pm

I just wish I had a 20 year old to carry by stuff!

There have been mornings after a long night of playing moving-man/musician/moving-man when by sore old back just gives out and freezes in pain ..... I love it.

wayang · Post by **wayang** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 7:24 am

Man, you got that right, Kent...for most of us musicians in this society, we get paid not to play but to haul gear...

As for The Beatles ruining any of our lives: better them than The Marines...

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 11:07 pm

Freedom aint free, my friend.

But as to more immediate issues (ie: aching backs), I suppose that when a little startup band reaches the point that they get a roadie they know that they've reached a certain milestone.

wayang · Post by **wayang** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 7:39 am

Unfortunately, the average little startup band can ill afford to subsidize a roadie's meth habit...

And I agree with you 100% about freedom not being free...I just happen to think it's overpriced in today's market...

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 3:37 pm

The price of the alternative is higher still.

>>>the average little startup band can ill afford to subsidize a roadie's meth habit...

hmmm.... good point. For me its all academic. Even in my dreams I cant quite imagine my little band (four 50+ weekend warriors) growing to the level of roadies, managers etc.... and who knows?... maybe thats a good thing.