Once upon a 4/4 time…

Of all the interests, hobbies and passions in my life, music has been the strangest one of all.

At the age of eight years old, my mum enrolled me in piano lessons at school. A few months later, my music teacher bluntly stated that I had, “No music talent whatsoever.”

(Read the full version of this musical fiasco here)

Later, at age fifteen, I took drum lessons, and the few instructors I had (who were great guys), all agreed that, “Maybe drums weren't really my thing.”

I can't read music. I have never understood categorizing notes with letters (A Sharp, B Flat etc.) And I still think keys are what you use to open locks with.

Despite these drawbacks, I have never been able to give up this most special thing we call, “music.”

I suppose the spark began with my mum. She always got excited when her new favorite song was played on the radio. That infectious excitement must have transferred over to me.

The first real band I recognized and liked was Blondie, way back in 1976. Next, I heard a few of the senior kids at school listening to, “Smoke On The Water.” That opening riff blew me away and it was the coolest thing I had ever heard up to that point.

But the single biggest musical impact on me was the first time hearing Motorhead. The song was, “The Ace Of Spades.”

For me, Motorhead was THE band. There was something unique about their sound that just spoke to me like nothing else.

When I got my first real job at thirteen years old (as an office file clerk), I proudly spent my first paycheck on an expensive, imported album - Motorhead's “The Watcher,” recorded live in 1978.

I still have it to this day…

That sound, that raw energy, has never been equaled, much less surpassed, in my opinion and it took me years to realize what exactly made that particular sound the ultimate musical experience for me.

It was Lemmy's bass.

Sure, when I was a kid, I played drums in a few bands, (one was even with The Hung!) But the inspiration to play music in the first place came from Lemmy and his bass.

In certain things, I can be very, very slow (just ask Mrs. Slickfinger or The Hung) and to prove that point, it was at the tender age of thirty nine, that I bought my first bass guitar.

And although I had been told I might be tone deaf, not suited for music and lacking any form of talent, I have enjoyed every single moment I have spent playing bass and writing songs.

I believe the best judge of our capabilities is ourselves and I also believe hard work, dedication and discipline can go a long, long way.

Like one of my favorite fictional heroes once said, “Can't! Can't! There’s no such word as can't.”

If you love music, never give it up.

Ever.

And thanks for being here. I greatly appreciate it.

Sincerely,

-Slick