John Gibbs posted on November 14, 2010 15:49
Thankyou to Peter Anthony Houghton, Guitarist Richard Warne and Guitar Maker John Walker for our mini U2 concert who together strummed through a history of guitars dating back 400 years to the Lute. We quickly got to the steel stringed acoustic guitar and moved on to the Electric Guitars with passion and nearly raised the roof off the Catholic Club with the aide of an Amplifier, which Peter set at 4 as opposed to 10. Peter brought in his collection of 10 guitars with Amp, speakers and projector for our enjoyment. One of the guitars was the Rickenbacker used by the Beatles in such hits as a Hard Days Night and Ticket to ride.
We were taken through the intricate makings and John Walker advised he can make one in as little as 300 hours, we chose not to put him on the spot. We instead heard about the Orville Gibson Arch shaped Guitar of 1908, the 1920 first magnetic coil pickup, the Leo Fender Evolution, the first Broadcaster Guitar and the first Solid body guitar, which was an outstanding success. Fender followed up in 1951 with the electric bass. Orville then produced a Les Paul design with a solid carved body which was a failure until Eric Clapton plugged in a humbugger and amplifier.
The electric guitar led to the development of larger amps and speakers and larger concerts perhaps culminating in the U2 3600 tour destined for Concerts at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on 13 and 14 December this year. Peter showed us the Video of the 164 foot tall structure being erected known as The Claw, being one of 3 sets, with each set requiring 120 trucks to transport it. The tour is expected to gross$750 million by the end of 2011, but has daily production costs of approximately $750,000.00 excluding stage set up, they grossed $311 million for 44 shows held in 2009 and were reportedly not making much money. You can get the low down at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U2_360%C2%B0_Tour
We were also played Rachel’s Birthday video from Kristian Anderson, a man in his 30’s from Australia who surprised his wife with a beautiful birthday video. Kristian has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. His wife Rachel, a New Zealander is wished a happy birthday by the Prime Minister of New Zealand, John KeyThank you so much. I just can't find the words to tell you all how much this means to us. When I look at my boys and think of the worst case I crumple and have to leave the room so they don't see daddy upset. I'll do anything; undergo any treatment no matter what it does to my body or my mind.... for them. You all didn't know this, but I specifically asked God for a way to afford this treatment.... a few days later He sent you guys.” and also Hugh Jackman. Peter explained that he and some friends had raised $4,000.00 for a $5,000.00 operation required by Kristian and our club agreed to donate the last $1,000.00. Peter has now passed on the reply received from Kristian: “
Kristian’s blog can be found here: howthelightgetsin.net/
His video for Rachel is here: www.youtube.com/watch