I started playing around 14, I saw my dad play Jimi Hendrix all the time. So I popped in the instructional VHS tape while he was at work, learned it, and played Manic Depression for him when he got home. He took me out the next day and got me a Strat!
I started playing after seeing The Beatles at Shea Stadium in 1964--I was 11, I bought s cheap Silvertone guitar from the Sears/Roebuck catalog. It was around $99.00. Then I upgraded to a Japanese KENT guitar at 12. Little over $100.00. Strings were 1/2 inch from the neck--made my fingers strong. The irony is that I end up cripple on the left side of my body at 54--GOD works in mysterious ways.