What Famous Guitarist Pawned His Guitar for a Train Ticket Home?
Music is an art form that has been cherished by many since time immemorial. It takes a great deal of passion, dedication, and talent to make it in the music industry, something which famous guitarists have in spades. These guitarists rose to fame through their exceptional abilities to play the instrument, tireless work ethic, and the drive to succeed in their endeavors. However, even with all this talent, dedication, and success, one famous guitarist found himself in a difficult predicament that required him to pawn his beloved guitar for a train ticket back home. Who was this famous guitarist? Read on to find out.
The Life and Untimely Demise of Blues Legend Robert Johnson
Before talking about the famous guitarist who pawned his guitar for a train ticket home, it’s important first to understand his roots in music. Robert Johnson was an iconic figure in the blues music scene, and his influence on the genre is felt even to this day. Born on May 8th, 1911, in Hazelhurst, Mississippi, Robert Johnson was the son of Julia Major Dodds and Noah Johnson. His mother later remarried, and Robert Johnson was raised by his stepfather, Dusty Willis. Robert Johnson’s interest in music started when he was a teenager, and he would often listen to blues music on street corners in Mississippi. Although he was passionate about music, he wasn’t a natural musician, and it’s said that he was taught how to play the guitar by Son House, another famous blues guitarist, with whom he befriended.
Robert Johnson’s life was full of drama and tragedy, something which is often seen in the lives of many famous musicians. At the age of 16, he married his first wife, Virginia Travis, who died shortly after giving birth to their daughter. Robert Johnson soon remarried, but his second marriage was short-lived, with Johnson’s wife dying in childbirth. These tragic events, combined with his struggles to make it in the music industry, left Robert Johnson despondent, leading him to leave Mississippi for Memphis, Tennessee. In Memphis, Robert Johnson met and played with legendary blues musicians, and it’s here that he honed his craft as a guitarist.
Robert Johnson’s turning point came when he met Don Law, a man who worked for Brunswick Records. It’s said that Johnson was on the run from a jealous husband and had to be tracked down by Law to record his songs. The recording session happened on November 23rd, 1936, and Robert Johnson recorded 17 songs, including “I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom,” and “Cross Road Blues.” These recordings brought Robert Johnson into the limelight, and he became a well-known musician at the time.
However, Robert Johnson’s success was short-lived, and he died tragically at the age of 27. Although the cause of his death is unknown, rumors suggest that he was poisoned by a jealous husband or died from syphilis. Robert Johnson’s life and career were cut short, but his influence on blues music continues to be felt to this day.
The Story of Keith Richards and His Pawned Guitar
Robert Johnson’s story is one that is well known in the music industry, but what about the famous guitarist who pawned his guitar for a train ticket home? This guitarist is none other than Keith Richards, a guitarist for the famous rock band, The Rolling Stones. Keith Richards’ story of pawning his guitar is one that shows how hard life can be even for famous musicians.
Keith Richards’ story starts in 1963 when The Rolling Stones were scheduled to perform in Manchester, England. The band was still in its early days, and they were still struggling to make a name for themselves. During their performance in Manchester, Keith Richards’ guitar string broke, and the band didn’t have a spare one. After the performance, Keith Richards rushed to a nearby pawnshop and pawned his beloved 1959 Les Paul guitar, which he had bought in the US for $400.
The pawnshop offered Keith Richards just £20 for his guitar, which was barely enough to cover his train fare back to London. Keith Richards, who was only 19 at the time, was faced with the most challenging decision of his life: accept the £20 and never see his guitar again, or find another way to get back to London without selling his guitar. Keith Richards chose to take the £20 and bought a train ticket back to London.
Once he got back to London, Keith joined forces with fellow band member, Mick Jagger, and together they started writing songs that would make The Rolling Stones the legendary band that they are today. Despite pawning his guitar for just £20, Keith Richards’ talent as a guitarist and songwriter helped him rise to fame in the music industry.
Keith Richards’ pawn ticket for his guitar has since become a prized possession, and it’s currently on display at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona. Keith Richards’ story of pawning his guitar for a train ticket home is one that resonates with many musicians, especially those who have struggled to make in the music industry.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robert Johnson and Keith Richards are two of the most famous musicians, and their contributions to the music industry are felt even to this day. Robert Johnson’s influence on blues music is legendary, and his untimely demise left a great void in the industry. Keith Richards’ story of pawning his guitar for a train ticket home is a reminder that even the most famous musicians have to endure tough times in their careers.
Music is an art form that brings people together, and the stories of musicians like Robert Johnson and Keith Richards inspire the upcoming generations of musicians to excel in their endeavors. The music industry continues to evolve, and the influence of these legendary musicians has helped shape the industry to what it is today.
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