More Did You Know...
The Library Is Filled With Characters
This week, we continue with one of our Reader’s Picks! We asked you all a couple weeks ago what we should write about. One thing that many of you mentioned was more stories of the library. In particular, our friend Liz suggested framing some library stories as “Did You Know…” So, ready? Let’s keep going!
DID YOU KNOW that one of our patrons played pagpipes in an AD/DC tribute band?
It’s true! I just found this out myself a few days ago and I’m still reeling at the thought!
I’ll call him Gary. Gary’s worked with the Manchester-based tribute band, Problem Child, back in the 2000-teens. The band, sadly, is now defunct, but back in its hey-day they played in some of the city’s most, well, shall we say colorful venues.
This revelation came about because I happened to be chatting with Gary about AC/DC’s upcoming North American tour in 2025. Little Bean has been begging me to take her to see the “real” AC/DC and it looks like, hopefully, we’ll get our chance next year.
Sidenote about AC/DC: This has always been Little Bean’s favorite Rock ‘n Roll band. When she was a toddler, we’d have dance parties to “Whole Lotta Rosie,” and no, she does not yet know what that song is about. We’re going to see her favorite AC/DC tribute band, Thunderstruck, for the second time in a couple weeks. When she met them last year, we went back stage and they showered her with autographs and drumsticks! And yes, she gets some sideways glances from her Olivia Rodrigo / Taylor Swift loving friends, but oh well!
Anyway, back to the bagpiper. As I’m sure most of you know, one of the band’s most famous songs is “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n Roll.” The song features a call and response between lead guitar and bagpipes. Incredibly, the late great Bon Scott himself played the bag-pipes on the recording of the song, teaching himself how to do it exclusively for that track which appeared in 1975.
The song was so difficult to play live that it’s estimated that the band only played it maybe 30 times on stage, the last time being in 1976 in Australia when the bagpipes were left sitting along side the stage and subsequently destroyed by over-enthusiastic fans.
Gary regaled me about the story of how he tried out for the band and felt he got the job because nobody else could play bag-pipes. They were so excited after he aced the try-out and he had to confess that he was glad he did well but couldn’t hear a thing after.
“The speakers were this big!” he exclaimed to me, holding his hand at shoulder height.
Pictures of Gary playing in some of Manchester’s seediest dives are some of the most rock ‘n roll photos I’ve ever seen. There he is, in front of the neon beer walls with a band of middle aged black concert shirt wearing dudes shredding behind him, while he’s in full on Scottish piper garb, compete with kilt and glengarry hat.
Gary stops by once a week or so and we chat about a whole range of things. He’s also a contra dance enthusiast and has invited Little Bean to come and learn. And you know what? We might just take him up on that idea, because so far, he’s the only friend I know who played bagpipes in an AC/DC tribute band. I’d wager he’ll be the only one.
I do wonder, though, if we decide to go to the contra dance, do you think he’ll play his bagpipes?
I hadn't heard the AC/DC song with the bagpipes before. I just listened to it, and I have to say, it's the first time I've heard bagpipes that didn't send me fleeing from the scene with my hands over my ears. Quite remarkable!