Rubel Shelly tells a true story about a fellow named Mark who possessed a passion for the guitar. He bought his first one in 1966 for $175, from the money made from a summer job before his Freshman year in High School. It was a red sunburst Gibson J-45. Mark said “(It) was my pride and joy, my most favorite thing in the world.”
Throughout Mark’s high school and college years his Gibson guitar was his “solace and companion.” He said it was better than medicine to calm his anxieties during times of stress. However, in 1978, some thieves broke into his business in Decatur, Alabama. Among the things they stole was his beloved guitar. While the police caught the thieves, the guitar was never recovered. Continue reading
