Ziggy Played Guitar

Ray DeGraw
Jun 29
2 min read

June 29, 2025

For the longest time, June 29th marked the worst day ever for me and my family. My dad suddenly and without warning died on that day in 1989. Fast forward 22 years and my son William was born on the same day in the same hospital. It is now the year 2025 and he turned 14-years-old today. He will be in high school this fall. Crazy on how time flies and how dates take on different meanings.

I can recall my Uncle Sonny, who has since passed, calling me and thanking me for making this particular day something to celebrate and not mourn going forward. I told him it wasn't me, William didn't want to come out...it took some high test drugs and pastrami sandwich before he could be coaxed into this crazy world. True story.

I tried, and tried and tried to get him to play sports. He did so, probably for me. And even though he was pretty darned good, it just wasn't for him. No, from day one, it was music that motivated the boy. Perhaps if we just played Dark Side of the Moon or Sgt. Pepper we wouldn't have needed drugs or salty lunch meats to get him to enter the world! Music is his passion, it's what gets him out of bed in the morning. I'm jealous, really. I could never play an instrument, or sing, or write lyrics. I could, however, hit a baseball. I think in the grand scheme of things, his talents will be more beneficial in the long run.

Shine on you crazy diamond and keep strumming that guitar. Always remember, money is for nothing and the chicks for free!