The Week in Light & Sound
- Details
In 2016, American guitarist Jerry Donahue suffered a catastrophic stroke, almost certainly ending his career as one of the world’s finest folk-rock guitarists. The former Fairport Convention, Fotheringay and Hellecasters guitarist, was regarded by the music media as an extremely talented musician with an extraordinary technical approach to string bending.
“To have so many famous signatures on this guitar is a fantastic achievement,” says close friend Dave Pegg, bassist in Fairport convention. “We know that the guitar will raise many thousands of pounds and all the money raised from the auction will go towards Jerry's rehabilitation in the USA.”
The guitar itself, donated by John Hornby Skewes, is Jerry Donahue’s own Vintage Signature V58, built to his own specifications as a collaboration with specialist guitar and hardware designer Trevor Wilkinson and JHS managing director Dennis Drumm.
The auction, to be held at Gardiner Houlgate’s Bath Auction rooms, on 11 December 2019, is expected to attract attention from collectors and music fans from all over the world.
Sound Move - The Dolby Institute has partnered with the AES Educational Foundation to offer the Dolby Institute Scholarship, awarded to an international graduate student member of AES with an interest in content creation and the study of the science of sight and sound. The inaugural Dolby Institute Scholar for 2019 is Peng Huang, who is working to earn an MA in audio sciences at Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University.
Return Journey - Ed Sheeran fans can follow his path to global stardom on a walking tour of the streets where he began his career. The route around Ipswich, where he ended his record-breaking world tour in August, includes his first gig venues and his beloved Ipswich Town's stadium. Ed Sheeran: Made in Suffolk has been devised by Ipswich Borough Council to capitalise on the singer's profile. Karen Byrnand of the council said: "It's about getting people to think about how the journey started." The route culminates at Christchurch Mansion, which since the summer has hosted an exhibition of Sheeran's life curated by his father.
Lady Diver - Lady Gaga fell head over heels off into the audience during the latest date of her Las Vegas residency. The singer had invited a fan called Jack to join her on stage and jumped into his arms - but he lost his footing and the pair plummeted to the floor. Gaga returned to play Million Reasons with Jack at her side. "It's amazing," she said. "We love each other so much we fell off the damn stage. We fell into each other's arms. We're like Jack and Rose from Titanic. I suppose we should have some tea after that."
(Jim Evans)
22 October 2019
