In the summer of 1968 my wonderful, incredible parents gave me the opportunity to go backpacking through Europe for a few months with some other kids my age. It was wonderful, staying at hostels, meeting so many others, traveling by rail pass and canoes. Camping here and there as we could. 

I missed music while I was there so I bought a small classical guitar to carry with me. I started writing simple songs as soon as I picked it up. Guitar came to be a main instrument for me. Ideal to learn there, with so much leisure time and new experience to inspire.

Late one night of the trip, a few of us slipped out from the pack. We ended up in what appeared to be an abandoned, partially destroyed church in Amsterdam for a impromptu rock show. I remember there was not much roof left, for the moonlight was streaming in. The only lighting was on the stage. The english band “Procal Harem” was performing their 67 hit “Whiter Sade of Pale”. It was a really cool experience and also the first time anyone had ever passed me a joint. 

As the trip progressed a few things happened. 

1. I wrote many songs. 

2. Developed a real love for playing guitar. 

3. Met a lot of Hippys

4. Had a wonderful time.

5. Drank a lot of Austrian beer and German wine. 

Those were the days.

Strange…The song “Whiter Shade of Pale” was written about a drunken, sexual escapade gone awry. Like some sort of eerie, future premonition, brought to me that night in that decrepit, moonlit church.