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Video: Peterborough pensioner's albums are breath of fresh air
THEY say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but sprightly Peterborough pensioner Les Garner is proving that theory wrong.
THEY say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but sprightly Peterborough pensioner Les Garner is proving that theory wrong.Talented musician Les only started playing the harmonica 18 months ago, but, since then, has released two cover albums.
The 80-year-old, who lives at a care home in Pine Tree Close, Dogsthorpe, has always been interested in music, thanks to his "wheeler-dealer" stepfather, Arthur O'Neil.
However, Les was only allowed to play instruments his stepfather bought at auction for a short time, before they were sold on.
Now, more than 60 years later, he is fulfilling his dream to own a musical instrument and play it properly.
It was when he heard the sweet sounds of a professional player on the radio that Les decided to take up the instrument.
Since 2008, Les has travelled more than 30 miles, twice a month, to Willingham, near Cambridge, to learn from teacher Steve Lockwood.
A father of three and grandfather of one, Les said: "I love music, so the travelling is worth it. It's either that, or I sit indoors all day and watch television."
Les has recorded both his albums - The Tin Sandwich and Ally Cat Blues - in a studio at Steve's home. They feature '30s and '40s hits, jazz, folk and pop music.
The 80-year-old is so keen to share his new-found talents that he has sent 100 copies of each album to friends and family across the globe.
But instead of charging people for his work, Les - a former bricklayer and Royal Air Force marine fitter - simply asks them to make a donation to the Salvation Army or an animal charity.
He added: "It's just such an achievement to be able to make an album. I chose the Salvation Army because a master of a band taught me to play the accordion.
"I wanted to prove to myself that I can do it because, in my opinion, anyone can do anything in life. I'm going to do another album and make it more difficult."
Steve, who has a degree in harmonica studies from Cambridge University, said: "I've never seen someone work so hard and it's not easy for him at that age to pick up new things. I've got teenagers who can't pick up how to play it as fast as Les has."
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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