103-Year-Old Musician Recovers Guitar

(CBS)  A 103-year-old musician is happy to have his trusty guitar back in his hands.

Huey Long, once a member of the legendary vocal group the Ink Spots, was reunited with his guitar after a judge resolved a dispute between the musician and a documentary filmmaker, Jeff McShan of KHOU-TV reports.

Last year, the Houston-based musician temporarily turned over his rare guitar to a woman named Nancy Tankelson. He signed a contract allowing her to make a documentary about his life.

He became too frail to help her complete the documentary but Tankelson refused his daughter's request to return the guitar.

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Video: 103-year-old Musician Reunites With His Trusty Guitar

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Long has been recuperating in St. Joseph's Medical Center after a nasty fall. his daughter said he was also depressed over his missing guitar.

On Friday, a judge ordered Tankelson to return the guitar to Long, but that she could have it back for a few days next month to compete work on her film.

Long is the oldest surviving member of the original Ink Spots, whose music in the 1930s and 1940s laid the groundwork for rhythm & blues as well as rock and roll. Their hit singles include "I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire," "If I Didn't Care" and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore." The group has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

Less than 90 minutes after the judge's ruling Friday, Long's attorney delivered the guitar.

"I believe this is yours," Ken Ward said as he handed it over.

"There it is! There it is daddy," said Long's daughter.

I'm just happy to have it back," said Long as he strummed the old guitar.

[shortmama2]

Thanks. We gotta savor every "happy ending" event
that occurs these days.

[asor1-2009]

"I Don''t Want To Set The World On Fire," is my absolute favorite song, sung by the Ink Spots, of course.
I''m an Elvis fan, but this is the BEST!

[brianbwb-2009]

"Sad state of things when a judge has to order someone to return a 103yr old man something that has been his all along." Posted by cyberus

Not only that, but a musician''s closest companion, closer than a spouse, it is the breadwinner, the soul healer, the tool with which the artist brings joy and beauty to the world, the musician''s instrument.

It is not impossible that the grief of losing said companion might have proven fatal for a 103 year old man, then Ms. Tankelson would have to live with her role in that death.

Perhaps she wouldn''t even care, for many, money is the new God, but artists worldwide would revile her, and deservedly so.

[cyberus-2009]

Sad state of things when a judge has to order someone to return a 103yr old man something that has been his all along.