The Icelandic connection - 01.12.2020, Page 42

184
ICELANDIC CONNECTION
Vol. 71 #4
PHOTO COURTESY OF ROGER LAMBERT
112 South Colonization, the home of Siggi Ben
from 9 pm to 1 am. If it was a fundraiser
it would be free. If it was someone who
was looking to make a few bucks, then
he might ask for a dollar. If it didn’t turn
out well, he might take only 50 cents.
It didn’t matter if it was 40 below or 40
above he would be there.
I don’t ever recall him having any
means of transportation except maybe a
team of horses or riding a single horse.
It was a two mile walk for him to get to
the hall carrying the accordion. I never
remember the harmonika having a case.
He just carried it in reasonable comfort
where it was exposed to the elements.
In spite of this kind of environment the
harmonica went through it is amazing
how it has survived. Even the kids would
play with it. Not a gentle thing with kids
fighting over who would play it next. It
is amazing how it survived, it just rolled
with the punches.
Siggi, in the summer time in the
evening it might be 29-30 degrees or
maybe a little more. He would sweat
and sweat. He would have one or two
or more big handkerchiefs. When they
wouldn’t absorb any more and they were
soaking wet he ran to wring them out.
Yet somehow how he made it and never
missed a beat or a note. He was not happy
unless it was perfect. I don’t know how
many hundreds of times he played for
people at Minerva hall and the poor old
harmonika how it has lasted is a mystery
to me.
One thing we must remember here
is the age of the harmonika. It was