25 April 2014

Published April 23, 2014 by rochellewisoff

WELCOME TO FRIDAY FICTIONEERS

Henry David Thoreau said it best.

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”

THE CHALLENGE:

Write a one hundred word story that has a beginning, middle and end. (No one will be ostracized for going a few words over the count.)

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MAKE. EVERY. WORD. COUNT.

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 Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

ALL THINGS MUST PASS

            “‘A sunrise doesn’t last all morning,’” I sing and strum the chords that take me back to a New York television studio thirty years ago.   

            There to meet a friend, I loaned my Martin to an aging musician for his last live performance.

            “You don’t happen to have a capo, do you, Miss Guitar Lady?” he asked.

            Something in his serene eyes and genuine smile reached to the depths of my soul. 

            My fingers move on the fretboard where his once did. I never changed those strings.

            And as VH1’s cameras recorded history, George Harrison made my guitar gently weep. 

 

******

It’s not the best quality but here’s the clip that inspired my story. If you’re in a hurry and would rather not commit to 14 minutes the impetus for my story really starts at  the 10:00 mark on the bar.

115 comments on “25 April 2014

    • Dear Valerie,

      He didn’t seem to be in his best performance mode that day, did he? Very impromptu. If one goes back and watches the entire interview he had a lot of wonderful things to say. I’m pleased that you liked it and even more pleased that you took the time to comment. It means a lot.

      Shalom and Kia Ora,

      Rochelle

      Like

    • Dear Patricia,

      Not sure why, but the first thing that popped into my head when I looked at that photo was “George Harrison.” Then I followed the threads to find a story. The video sealed the deal for me. Glad you enjoyed. Thank you.

      shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

    • Dear Björn,

      Thank you for giving me such a variety of photos to choose from. Glad you like my story. This one was particularly fun and special for me to write.

      I look forward to reading yours.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

    • Dear Elephant,

      I’m so pleased you enjoyed both the story and video. I watched the interview in its entirety and he was indeed a beautiful man. Definitely the unsung hero of the Beatles. His guitar riffs were amazing.

      Thank you and Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

  • Oh, this looks like it’s going to be a hard one. I’ll have to go off and think about it for a while. If you smell smoke, it’s okay, it’s just grey matter smoldering. LOL! Yes, I’m still on my birthday high! 🙂

    Like

  • Rochelle, I broke with tradition and read your story first. Made me cry with the images I saw in my mind. Love the line: “…Made my guitar gently weep.” It just yanks your heart right out of your chest. Now, off to see what I can do with the prompts. I’m called towards the quote this morning.

    Like

  • Such a wonderful story. I find that learning the little bits history tied to those in the spotlight to be absolutely fascinating. Knowing that George Harrison played that guitar would definitely cause me to never change the strings either! What an honor to know that she played a part in his success, no matter how small. Even if this story is fictitious, I’m sure there are similar instances in reality.

    Like

    • Dear Adelie,

      The fictional part of this story is that it’s from her POV. It’s based on truth but there’s no record of who the woman was who loaned her guitar to George Harrison. It struck me that if I were her, that guitar would become my most prized possession.

      Thank you. Glad you liked it.

      shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

    • Dear Larry,

      For whatever reason, when I chose this prompt, my first thought was “George Harrison.” It wasn’t a conscious choice, but it was the only choice. From there I started following the research thread which led to this great interview. Oh to have been there in person. 😉

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

    • Dear Sandra,

      I really enjoyed the impromptu moment caught on film. I wish I could’ve found one that was in better shape. George was the unsung hero whose unique guitar riffs made the Beatles what they were. Glad you liked the story.

      Thank you,

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

    • Dear Jennifer,

      It’s all about following the threads. Sometimes they lead to dead ends and other times they lead to an unexpected story, hidden in plain sight. 😉 Glad you liked it.

      Thank you,

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

    • Dear Janet,

      Oh wouldn’t I? Although my husband has always been the big George Harrison fan. He’s gone into arias about how underrated and unappreciated was Harrison’s talent. I have to agree. This was one of my favorites to write and of course I got the Jan Fields seal of approval. Glad you liked.

      Thank you,

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

  • Rochelle- First off love yous story. But I feel so silly. I didn’t read yours first this time. I just set to writing, wanting to write from the perspective of the life of the guitar and Lucy immediately came to mind. Now I read your story and see that I tapped into your vibe unconsciously.Also ending in the gentle weep.

    Like

  • Rochelle, what a gem of a story! Loved it. A really special bit of history you have captured here that I knew nothing about. Those are the best little stories, I think. Thanks for digging this up!

    Like

  • A great story and an amazing video. George was always my favorite Beatle–seemed to be the best trained musician. My Dad called Paul McCartney “the cute one” (who knew my Dad even paid attention to the Beatles?). I called George “the smart one.” 🙂

    Like

    • Dear Jan,

      I’ve gone through different stages as to who was my favorite Beatle. In the beginning it was beautiful Paul. Over the years I’ve looked at them from a different perspective. Love them. Love their music. I had a blast discovering and writing this week. Happy to have taken you along for the ride. Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

  • Wow! I haven’t listened yet but I will. George lived his whole life in the shadows of Lennon and McCartney and for many years people didn’t realize that without George there would not have been the Beatles. There may have been “a Beatles” but not “the Beatles.” And with it all, he remained humble and self-effacing to the end.

    Like

    • Dear Perry,

      I can’t argue with a single word. Not the best quality video or George’s best performance but definitely an illustration of the humble and engaging man he was.

      Thanks for coming by.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

  • What a beautiful story told from the perspective of the guitar lady who was blessed to meet and loan her guitar to George Harrison that day. This was storytelling at its finest.

    Blessings,
    Cheryl

    Like

  • What a sweet story; what a video clip! I love the inspiration for your story, Rochelle. George Harrison was one of a kind, in so many ways– And of course, Ravi Shankar is a favorite as well… Really amazing video! Thanks for sharing, Rochelle.

    Like

  • it’s always those impromptu performances that truly show the genuine artists…their passion comes right out even if the sounds are not polished. one can see Mr. Harrison’s kindness and spiritual essence throughout the video clip. very lovely story and clip.

    Like

  • Lovely story. I’ve always thought that George Harrison was underrated both as a guitarist and a songwriter. Though they hit the big time a year before I was born, the Beatles will always be my favourite band.

    Like

    • Dear Steve,

      My husband has been saying the same thing for years. George was always his favorite. I was ten when the Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan show. I was mad about Paul and I still have a lot of admiration for him. And the Beatles are still my favorite band…or as John quipped, “We were just a band who made it very very big, that’s all.”

      Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

  • Dear Willamena,
    I loved your story and really enjoyed the clip of George Harrison. He always struck me as a very humble and gentle man. I wish I could play guitar like him.
    – Fret Boardman

    Like

    • Dear Fret,

      Thanks for swinging by with your comments. The only musical instrument I play is the iPod. It used to be the record player and then the cassette player…oy. My husband has always called George the underrated Beatle.

      Shalom,

      Willamena

      Like

  • Dear Rochelle

    George Harrison was my favourite Beatle and I believe the most talented (wait for the roar of disapproval) Thought provoking and very well told as always

    Take care

    Dee

    Like

    • Dear David,

      It’s always a pleasure to see you here, particularly when I know you made a special effort this week. It is a great song, isn’t it? George wrote some devastatingly beautiful ones.

      shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

  • Great story. Wise. Wise Wisoff! Of all The Beatles, George was for me the one with the most substance. And it’s true – if you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there. Sometimes, you haven’t the choice but take ANY road, in hope! Ann

    Like

  • Dear Ann,

    In no way does it surprise me that you thought so highly of George. That seems to be the general consensus among those commenting this week. ”

    I love the song “Any Road.” To only listen casually, it’s an upbeat song, but to really listen it has a profound message.

    At any rate, thank you.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Like

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