My
granddad was a musician. He played the piano accordion and the
harmonica. To my knowledge he didn't take any music lessons to learn
these instruments, but in the words of Danny Ormonroyd from 'Brassed
Off', he could knock out a damn good tune. My granddad bought me a Hohner
accordion for my sixth birthday and my love for the instrument was
born.
I
entertained throughout the length and breadth of the UK as a member of
an accordion band, The Junior Accordionaires. I was instrumental in
setting up a showband, and then, together with members of the showband,
we performed on the club circuit, as The Tropical Waves. After emigrating to Canada I
continued entertaining across SW Ontario.
My
ability to play the accordion came to a halt following a stroke, a little over two years ago. I have
played an electronic keyboard one-handed but it isn't the same as the
accordion, my first love.
After a session with the keyboard one afternoon I found I wasn't able to express myself, and really feel the pieces I played.
I
recalled playing my accordion during a Rogers TV programme presented by
Chris Cunningham. As a tribute to my granddad I played 'Danny Boy'.
Afterwards Chris said my rendition had been truly moving as my fingers
had caressed the keys.
I can no longer engage and be as one with the
accordion, and I have, with a heavy heart, decided to stop playing the
electronic keyboard for it's too impersonal.
As the lyric to the song states:
Music was my first love
And it will be my last.
