When I was ten years old I made a profound discovery. I was driving to the amusement park "Cedar Point" in Ohio with my friend Tim and his family. Tim's brother, being all of 13, was in charge of the music. He put in the mixed tape he had made, the first song on it was "Revolution" by the Beatles. The moment that fuzzy guitar lick started I was captured, the old me was gone... I would never be the same again. I immediately said, "What is that sound"? Tim's older brother looked at me like I was insane and in a tone that suggested I had asked the dumbest question ever said, "Distortion". .....Ah distortion, often the aggressor, sometimes the wooer and almost always the life of the party. It takes on many forms and can effect any instrument or voice.

This moment was two things: 1. My first time consciously loving a Beatles song and 2. The first time I realized that a specific sound could affect me so deeply.

After hearing the Beatles Revolution, I decided that I needed to get a guitar. I got one, took a few lessons and then taught myself how to play... loudly.

You could say that if it were not for the Beatles, I would have never become a musician. You could say that... but I think if it weren't for "distortion" I wouldn't have become a musician.

Man, what I wouldn't give to be able to hear that sound again for the first time. I know it's a very popular song that you've likely heard many times, but try listening again and imagine you're hearing it for the first time through the ears of a 10 year old. -powerful stuff! The music I make now rarely uses a lot of distortion. IMHO, a little bit goes a long way. But I still love me some "Revolution".

Anyone else out there remember their first experience with distortion? Or was there a particular moment you started "noticing" sound/music?