Close encounters with the rich and famous and not so much

[Ray Ussery]

I missed this thread at some point, probably in the hospital at the time...anyway, at the risk of getting somewhat off the subject a little, I thought I'd add a bit of history to this subject...
lot's of people don't know Django was struck with tragedy in a fire that almost burned off his left hand, and all of his playing was done with just two fingers and an occasional use of his thumb. His ring finger and little finger were useless!
Les Paul had a serious car accident one night in New Mexico with Mary Ford driving and they crashed into a ravine. Les's right arm and elbow was shattered and they wanted to amputate it (As they did with Django's hand) they both refused (Thanks Lord)...they told him they might be able to set it in one position but it could never be changed...so he made then set it to his specs...just a little under 90 degrees...and that's the way he played the rest of his life.
He was a personal friend of Django who was one of his guitar Idol's and it was Django who prompted him to keep trying....it took him a year and a half to recover, but recover he did, as everyone knows of course!
He owned one of Django's guitars given to him by the Man himself and it was one of Les Paul's greatest treasures.
I know this first hand, as my parent's were friends of Les Paul and Mary Ford and we went to his home in Southern Cal. occasionally...when his "Studio" was in his garage...it was a thrill for a young teenager...that's also where I met Chet Atkins...but that's another story! :>) (And none of it rubbed off on me...grrrrr)

Ray

[Lonnie B]

Good story Ray I enjoyed it very much

[Ray Ussery]

Thanks Lonnie. I get to thinking back at how blessed I've been over these many years and let my memories run over so to speak, sometimes I think it sounds like "Name Dropping" and it truly isn't intended to be that way at all..
it's more of wishful thinking or dreaming I guess, wishing that instead of taking for granted being around these folks, I threw away the opportunity to learn so much from so many people considered "Greats" today because of "Just being a kid".....
I wish I could turn back the clock and do it all again...but "Hindsight" is always 20-20 isn't it?
I DO have my memories, and sometimes they are a thrill to me and I want to share w/o looking stupid or? I've had the opportunity to play some of the most
celebrated and "Prized" guitars of today, long before they were "Famous" and some afterword...that I can't hardly contain myself when the subject is mentioned or the subject is related to...and of course, I know it belongs in "The Everything Else; Shoot the Breeze" threads....not like this...so to all, I apologize :>)

[Lonnie B]

It's ok by me buddy

[Paul C]

How bout shooting the breeze with that Chet Atkins story too. That's cool you got to meet him and Les Paul

[Lonnie B]

I'll second that motion.

[Lonnie B]

Maybe we could have a thread where we tell our famous persons encounters. I once spent the afternoon with Bobby Goldsboro.