Vintage guitars, vintage songs
at Vernon library performance
SEPTEMBER 27, 2013
BY JANET REDYKECORRESPONDENT — AIM VERNON
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| PHOTO/JANET REDYKE Ken Lelen strums and sings the folk song, "If I Had a Hammer." |
The
Friends of the Library of Dorothy Henry Library in Vernon sponsored a vintage
guitar and music concert called Folk Song Boomers at the library on Sunday, September 22, featuring singer and guitarist Ken Lelen.
The performer was introduced by
Friends’ president Eleanore O’Mara,who told the audience of 40 people to be
prepared to "go back in time."
"Folk songs have
always been a part of America’s history," she said. "These songs have
announced social change, paid tribute to the civil rights movement and
denounced war."
Guitarist Ken Lelen
began playing the guitar in 1963 as a teen to "get girls to notice
him." Lelen later realized it’s drummers who really attract girls.
Fifty years later
Lelen has perfected his talent, collecting amazing mahogany-and-spruce constructed guitars dating from 1908 to 1952 and made by companies like Gibson,
Martin and Washburn. He actually has collected several dozen vintage guitars, which age
well and have beautiful tones. His wife insists Lelen has GAS, or Guitar
Acquisition Syndrome.
"You
cannot get this sound out of a box with plastic knobs," Lelen joked.
Playing his folk
boomer music, Lelen sang "Blowin’ in the Wind," "If I Had a
Hammer" and other favorites that brought smiles to the faces of the
audience as they recognized the tunes. Lelen also offered impressive tidbits on
folk artists like Bob Dylan, Richard Farina, Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie.
After an afternoon of
reflective music, Lelen concluded the concert by playing and singing "Good
Night, Irene," with the appreciative audience joining in the sing-along.
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© 2013
— northjersey.com/Vernon
northjersey.com/news/vintage-guitars-vintage-songs-at-vernon-library-performance-1.577412
