I was raised on piano, and I still like it best. I'm actually very glad I got taught to read music - it tells you when to go up, and go down, and usually by looking a song, I can get a very good idea how it's going to go. (And everybody else just kinds of stands behind me and waits for me to tell them if it's the wrong song, or when they don't know it.)
Being able to read chords/tabs and sheet music is awesome if you get to play with other people. Chords let you learn to improvise your own style, but you can still play a song, note for note if you need to.
I also know enough on guitar to fake most songs, so I can vocal to them. I actually got pretty good at bass guitar when I was younger, and I got to play in some celtic and blues bands. Turns out bass isn't all that useful if you're by yourself though. I'm still working on my coffee house gig.
My hubby also used to play bass. We met playing in bands. His band opened for mine. *chuckle* He won't play anymore though.
My sister went from piano, to flute. GO figure... how's that translate?!
My latest endeavor... getting through all the songs from Guitar Hero II on Expert...