Weedon's Windfall

Subject: Weedon's Windfall
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 20 Feb 03 - 09:27 AM

Brief note in today's paper that UK veteran guitarist and teacher Bert Weedon (82) has received "substantial" damages and apologies from BBC for suggesting that he learned guitar while a convict!
Incidentally, his website is a hoot, full of pictures of himself with celebs he met at fundraisers for Variety Club charities. (...and that reddish syrup stays the same age though the rest of him gets older!)

RtS
(sittin' down here in Parchman Farm...)

Subject: RE: Weedon's Windfall
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 20 Feb 03 - 09:40 AM

At one time I used to do quite a few gigs at Hever Castle in Kent.
One of these was a Birthday Party for Gloria Hunniford. For the first part I sang Elizabethan songs with a consort, up in the Minstrel's gallery. After the meal was finished, I would be expected to sing more modern folk songs and bawdy ballads with guitar down in the dining hall. Imagine my feelings when when I suddenly discovered that Bert was one of the guests. He was very amused when I claimed that my comparative lack of guitar skills was because I "Learnt to play in a Day". At least I can boast that my battered old Yamaha has been played by Mr Weedon himself !

Subject: RE: Weedon's Windfall
From: Ballyholme
Date: 20 Feb 03 - 10:34 AM

Looks as though old Bert missed an opportunity to gain some Leadbelly-style "street cred" there.

Subject: RE: Weedon's Windfall
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 20 Feb 03 - 12:44 PM

Learnt to play with a Bert Weedon book. I think "Bobby Shaftoe" was the first tune in it. Should have practised more.
JohnB

Subject: RE: Weedon's Windfall
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Feb 03 - 01:22 PM

Here is the Official Bert Weedon Website, which would be the one Roger the Skiffler mentioned - including Bert's Tips & Hints.

Subject: RE: Weedon's Windfall
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 20 Feb 03 - 02:17 PM

Awe I am amazed to see Bert is still playing his Guitar!

Thousands of Pickers all over the world learned to 'play in a day' and I too often would play all day, esp when it rained and we got sent home from work.

Thanks for the posting and link, it seems as if all the bad druggie image that got stuck on the Guitar in the 60's just now fell off again..

:)