Blog - In Memory of Les Paul

In Memory of Les Paul

Aug 16

Written by: jimwideman
8/16/2009 12:24 AM

Several years ago I found out Les Paul still played live at a little Jazz Club in NYC every Monday night. If you don't know who Les Paul is you’re not guitar players. Not only is his name on one of the most famous electric guitars ever made, he is the inventor of the solid body electric guitar, multi-track recording and many other effects.

Yes, if you have ever listen to records, tapes, CD, or MP3’s we owe it all to him. It had been a dream of mine to go hear him live. I can hear you thinking to yourself why didn't you just go? Since the time I found out about Les' Monday night gig, I had a standing staff meeting every Tuesday. So as a gift to myself 2 years ago when I started full time at JWM I took my sweet little wife to NYC and went to the Iridium. We got there at 5:45pm for the 8:00pm show and the line had already formed. I was as excited as a kid in a candy store. They finally let us in and packed us tight. I'm glad that the food came out in shifts so we could take turns eating. I sat next to some delightful folks who like me just wanted to see the "legend" live. Les was 92 then and the fact he was playing out let's you know he loved what he did. It was a great show that I will always remember. If I had a bucket list this would have been on it. This week Les Paul passed away at the age of 94, he still played out every Monday night until June of this year. August 8, 2007 will always hold a special memory not just because of what Les did that night but for what he did in my lifetime that will forever make an impact on generations to come. He played for about an hour then we left and they cleared us out for the 10pm show. Les only came out after the second show for autographs if he was feeling up to it. I couldn't help but notice the crowd waiting in line outside was much younger than the 8:pm crowd. I thought to myself maybe I should have booked the second show so I could have gotten an autograph, then I remembered I already have 2 autographs, one on my Les Paul Gold top and the other on my Les Paul Jr. Thanks Les for not just making music but making a difference. I might not have his chops but I have his tone and man it sounds good. You will be missed Lester!

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1 comment(s) so far...

Re: In Memory of Les Paul

We all need heroes - I'm so glad God gave you a chance to see yours live!

We're never too old or too far along in our journey to have people to look up to.

By SpencerClick on 8/17/2009 6:36 AM