I had actually begun to compose a posting some time ago after recently purchasing my new Les Paul. In it, I was to tell the story of the various guitars I've possessed and what each one had meant to me. No other guitar I owned meant as much to me as the 1981 Les Paul Deluxe in a wine red finish that I bought brand new with money I earned that summer at the PX in Fürth, Germany. She was a thing of beauty but me being the guy that I was didn't care for the way the mini-humbuckers looked. So, I eventually replaced them with Seymour Duncan 59's and it sounded magnificent. Unfortunately, I 'lost' her. Earlier this year I set out to reclaim some of my past - and did. And I never finished that post.
Then I heard the news today that the man who is the namesake of "Grace" (it's what I call her), my new Les Paul Classic Antique, passed away. Les Paul, born Lester William Polfuss, is the only person inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. He helped develop the solid-body electric guitar and invented multi-track recording. The guitar that bears his name, the Gibson Les Paul, is as iconic as its rival, the Fender Stratocaster - think electric guitar and anyone playing said instrument will be playing an instrument whose origins can be traced to back to one or the other. As if his technical achievements weren't enough. the man could play. Already a top guitar player, he never stuck to one style. He never let an opportunity pass to learn something, anything. Listen to his recordings from the 40's and 50's and it's easy to hear the influence of the great Django Reinhardt.
Not long after I moved to New York, I told myself, "Les Paul has a regular gig at a club here - you should go sometime." And I did.
Feb. 11, 2008, I finally got around to seeing The Wizard of Waukesha at Iridium Jazz Club. I caught the early 8pm show and I didn't care that I had just spent $50 for the ticket. It was amazing to see the then 93-year-old gleefully entertain that evening's crowd that included those from all walks of life and ages. Arthritis may have slowed him but the spirit was clearly undeterred as both melody and anecdotes were offered to us in the audience. On my way out, I picked up a DVD copy of "Les Paul: Chasing Sound" which originally aired on July 11, 2007 on PBS as part of their American Masters series - I watched it again tonight and could only think how hard he worked to bring anyone who would listen musical joy. I had planned on going to see him again and his passing now makes me cherish that cold February evening even more.He is truly an American original and will be missed.
Thank you, Les Paul...
