Alice, 80

Swap an electric washing machine for an accordion

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Alice, 80

Swap an electric washing machine for an accordion

Read More

In 1945 everything was destroyed and we were hungry. But the most important was: the war was over. A large garden restaurant at the Kannenhof had been destroyed, but the bandstand was still standing. We youngsters often met there, played music and danced. Then we forgot our hunger!

We were two or three accordion players and two guitarists. I was able to play all the current hits. My favourite piece was “IN THE MOOD”; which I played with passion. It defined my entire youth.

I had borrowed the accordion from my uncle, who was a soldier. In 1950 I had to give it back because my aunt saw an advert in the newspaper which read “swap an electric washing machine for an accordion” and my aunt had to have it.

I could understand it but nevertheless I was very sad, and buying a new one was unthinkable. At that time we were starting again from scratch, as my parents had lost everything in the bombing.

Other things are more important!