Last-surviving Kalamazoo Gal Irene Stearns on working for Gibson in the 1940s | Guitar.com

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97-year-old Irene Stearns was one of the 'Kalamazoo Gals' who worked at Gibson's iconic 225 Parsons St building in the 1940s. In 2019, she sat down in the old factory - now the home of Heritage Guitars - with guitar historian John Thomas to reminisce about her time on the production line during World War II.
To find out more, visit kalamazoogals.com/ for information on John Thomas' 2012 book Kalamazoo Gals: A Story of Extraordinary Women & Gibson's 'Banner' Guitars of WWII.
The guitar played throughout is John Thomas' 1943 banner-headstock Gibson Southern Jumbo. The guitarist is Bob Elkins.
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Опубликовано:

9 авг 2020

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Комментарии : 45

@johnthomasguitar 4 года назад

Thanks so much for featuring my book, my guitar, and my interview of one of my favorite people on the planet! John Thomas

@NickRatnieks 4 года назад

People today do not know how hard and unforgiving the work regime was like back before the end of WW2- workers were little more than machines. I was told this time and time again by those that had been workers in the 1930s when I began work back in the early 1970s.

@thecaveofthedead 4 года назад

As opposed to Amazon workers now who have the most luxurious working conditions. This is why other wealthy, productive countries have protections for workers.

@NickRatnieks 4 года назад

@@thecaveofthedead Thankfully, Amazon does not represent most employers- but it does exhibit a worrying trend of exploiting its workforce and this is not just confined to the USA: www.theguardian.com/business/2018/may/31/amazon-accused-of-treating-uk-warehouse-staff-like-robots

@riheg 4 года назад

NickRatnieks its still horrific compared to for instance socialist (cue republicans: “boo socialism”) Denmark. No wonder the US imported former ukrainian nazi concentration camp guards, such as Ivan the Terrible, to crush unions and socialism in the US after ww2 and to this day americans love welfare Denmark but hate what made it happen

@jamesn5595 3 года назад

Worker's Unions began putting a stop to that. Many people died building a better workplace for our children. The struggle continues.

@JeffBecerra1 2 года назад

Happy 100th Birthday Irene. Thank you for all your work and guitars 🎂

@anewcomb8376 2 года назад

Wow! What a blessing and joy to watch this and hear Irene talking and telling stories again. I loved the tribute. Claudia Jane Green Newcomb. Daughter of Robert and Lillian Soules Green, sister of Helen Soules Bos married to Andrew Bos (Irene's brother, Andy). Happy Birthday Irene!

@gregwilson2721 3 года назад

what a lovely lady. a sad story

@boblittle2529 2 месяца назад

Thanks for posting this. I love hearing first hand stories from people who actually lived through time periods that were long gone by the time I was born. It's the closest thing to time travel I'll ever get 😃

@Domenikisimo 4 года назад

after being treated so poorly, she still smiles.

@muskymike1885 4 года назад

Bless her heart

@riheg 4 года назад

Wow guitar history is so fascinating

@Contact_Info 2 года назад

I had a 1939 kg14, it was the best neck amd lightest guitar I ever played.

@ryanj6862 11 месяцев назад

i love stuff like this. i hate that these people will no longer be with us.

@deandee8082 2 года назад

wonder if she knows how much music she is responsible for creating? the history, the superstars, the heartbreaks, the "almost" got there's, and genuine inspiration her pickups inspired..

@CrispyClouds 2 года назад

From the interview it sounds like she was winding strings, not pickups

@hammahbergs2012 Год назад

I agree, Irene, Kalamazoo is the best place to be born and grow up in. Especially if you’re a guitar lover… I’m honored to be born and raised in an iconic city where Gibson was founded.

@RedDirtRules 2 года назад

I have recently spoken to a person in Kalamazoo that claims her grandmother worked at Gibson during the war and is still alive. She is in her 90s. I haven't confirmed this but Irene may know her

@brianharper5649 Год назад

Makes me need to rethink my devotion to Gibson. That such a shitty place to work could make these instruments is a puzzler. Good old days weren't so good after all.

@Ron_Padgett 4 года назад

What a cool story and what a great lady!

@tmacrae 10 месяцев назад

Great video! Although it's sad that a company with such a rich history, has tarnished so much of it by poor management of human relations.

@briangmail8826 4 года назад

Thank you for this.

@roberthale2268 Год назад

Amazing woman and amazing video

@joeb4568 2 года назад

I finally picked up my restored J-45 Gibson from this era today!! It’s the best sounding guitar BY FAR I’ve ever played. Absolutely stunning.

@adamlitchfield3371 4 года назад

Great memories thank you for sharing.

@b.p.879 2 года назад

I found this vid while researching a 1930's Kalamazoo Tenor Guitar I was just given. Awesome vid!

@williamhole1914 3 года назад

Awesome clip

@chisbang53 4 года назад

Great book! everyone should read it.

@superfuzzymomma 3 года назад

My goodness...Did Irene have a hand in my 49 SJ? Either way,, her story is wonderful to hear. BLESS YOU, IRENE! I am eternally grateful.

@dalex2902 2 года назад

It might be if the headstock has a gold banner that reads ''Only a Gibson is Good Enough'' checkout a book called Kalamazoo Gals by John Thomas.

@jerrymorganjr 4 года назад

We want interviews with the ladies who wound PAFs!

@b.snoodleman5864 3 года назад

The 1940's, its interesting how much technology has changed for the better since then and management personal hasn't changed a bit, still power tripping, still abscessed with enforcing rules that make no sense, and still costing company's millions of $$$ every year in lost production and because of the time spent having to train new employees.

@Contact_Info 2 года назад

And the leakage from picking favorites employees and letting them slide and do nothing to the point the company loses millions. The ass-kissers, the acquaintances of the boss..

@krispatel1 4 года назад

It's ironic that Gibson got rid of the last worker remaining to go back and see the place again haha. Way to get one over them, bet that feels good

@swampscott2670 3 года назад

Gibson: A history of some good products at times and awful management.

@bobaldo2339 2 года назад

Gibson does seem to have , shall we say, a certain reputation - especially with former retail dealers.

@imannonymous7707 4 года назад

If I had worked there I'd taken all my pay in guitar equity ...damn I wonder if they're hiring

@merseybeat1963 2 года назад

Why Gibson..you ikolls. She should have told someone up there that I finished my quota and it was hot. That guitar is what an acoustic guitar should sound like.