…Yet another stupid gryphon guessing game. (These won't all be "highbrow").

For three decades I experienced more rejection than any other musician in written history. My first opera was rejected. I withdrew my second. I was hired as a conductor at Konigsburg and the company immediately went out of business. I was fired from a conducting job in Riga. I had another opera fail and spent time in debtor’s prison. By now my marriage was in ruins, debts continued to mount, and I was often sick requiring expensive medical treatments. To top it off, my next few operas were again flops.

Who am I?

Wagner, no? ...

Yes. Richard Wagner. Did I give too many clues? Well, that was easy.

Next: I grew up in utter poverty. I joined the Air Force as soon as I could. I learned to play the guitar when I was in Germany. When I got back to the States I formed a band and eventually auditioned for Sun Records. Unimpresed, we were turned down and told to sharpen our talents.

Who am I?

Jimi Hendrix?

Carl Perkins?
Jimmie Rodgers?

No, no, and no, but Plays is closer.

Johnny Cash?

Duane Eddy?

Johnny Cash

Matt G. is right! It is the Man in Black himself, Johnny Cash.

Gees, you guys are faster than I can write this stuff out. Okay, next:

When I was born in Spain my instrument was not even considered a legitimate concert instrument. It was associated with taverns, gypsies, and vagabonds. My family and friends were horrified and urged me to play something else. I am self-taught. For years, critics looked down on me and my instrument.

Who am I?

Geeze Matt, your fast!

Zamfir?

Barry Manilow?

That's too hard Gryph.

Mark, the pan-flute is *still* not considered a legitimate instrument.

Myron Floren

Myron Floren!

Okay, Plays, I added another clue in the description. (No one's got it yet).

All I can think of are tambourines and organ grinders. What else did gypsies play for heaven's sake???

Andre Segovia?

Yes, Plays! Andres Segovia. Okay, now I gotta do some more.

Andrés Segovia

DOH!

I am too damn slow!

Don't be mad, Gryphon! This is fun -- now hurry up and think up some more. :p

Okay, this will be impossibly hard, but it's a good story.

One night my band played a ballroom in Buffalo which was packed beyond capacity. Another sax player (this is a clue) caused a sensation by walking on the edge of the stage as if he were on a tightrope while he played a solo. At a dramatic moment he purposely fell backward toward the crowd who held up their hands and pushed him back on stage. He never stopped playing and the crowd loved it.

So the next time we played that room I tried doing the same thing. However I failed to notice the crowd was much smaller than before, and when I fell toward the audience, the crowd stepped aside and I crashed to the floor. The rest of the band were laughing so hard they could barely play.

Who am I?

Ooooo! I have one!

This singer/songwriter's first public performance was the part of the Artful Dodger in Oliver during the 1960's

Gryphon,

You're right. Impossible. These are my stabs at it:

Junior Walker?
Martin Wills?
Paul Desmond?

Anthoney Newley?!?

Gryphon: John Coltrane?
markjpcs: Roger Daltry?

Uh oh... I was so excited just MAYBE knowing an answer I forgot how to spell:

ANTHONY Newley?