Update: The influence of Les Paul upon the guitar is incalculable. The man remained a marvel of the instrument until the day he died.
Some years back there was a club that showcased a variety of guitarists. One night at this club a young man was playing the electric guitar like no one there had ever heard it. His tone, his chops, his fretwork—all were amazing. The audience marveled at the young man’s playing.
In the crowd was an old man listening to the young guitarist. After one particularly brilliant piece of guitar work, the old man approached the young guitarist on the stage. The old man complimented the young man on his playing, and asked to play a short piece himself. The young man seemed annoyed, and so asked the crowd if it wanted to hear some old man play the guitar. The crowd laughed at the old man’s request, but the young man went ahead and handed his guitar to the old man. The crowd ignored the old man, and began to chat, order drinks and light cigarettes as the young man sat down.
Then the old man began to play. His first notes grabbed the attention of every person there. Soon the guitar in his hands became a living thing, full of life and joy and beauty. No one said a word. The club became silent as the old man and the guitar seemed to be one being. Some began to weep at the sounds coming from the old man and his guitar. Even the young guitarist stood there silently, and said to himself, “Oh God, if I could only play like that!”
Finally the old man finished. He handed the guitar back to the young man, told him thanks, and began to leave the stage. Then young man asked, “Wait. Who are you? What’s your name?”
The old man turned and smiled. He said, “My name? It’s on your guitar.”
6 Comments;
I’m happy to see a Les Paul memorial here. His inventions and innovations have had and will continue to have an impact on the world’s culture. All the great rock-n-rollers would not have been great without Les Paul’s electric guitar. The world would not have been entertained by the Beatles had it not been for Les Paul’s multi tracking innovations. Job well done Les.
Dear Profmike:
I had a gold top some years back. I had thinner frets installed, and the thing played fast and cool. Gradually I came to prefer the Fenders, and acquired a Strat and a Tele. Better for Blues, at least for my taste, though I wish that I still had that gold top!
I have added as an update an anecdote about Les Paul and his guitar.
You may not know this, but the Allman Brothers Band is as strong as ever, with two extraordinarily gifted lead guitarists, Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks, carrying on the twin-Les Paul tradition. I have a number of “legal bootlegs” they sell on their website, and each one is a gem.
Dear Gagdad Bob:
I marveled at the guitar playing of Haynes when I first heard Gov’t Mule.
I bought my Les Paul Gold Top in 1974 after listening to Duane Allman play the solo on Blue Sky. What a master Allman was.
I’m old enough to remember the pre-rock & roll days when it was the “Les Paul and Mary Ford” duo before rock & roll swept the scene and both he and his sound were considered musical oddities. How times change…..
Dear virgil:
Indeed they do—and seldom for the better.
I remember Les Paul and Mary Ford. They were a class act. How many artists today can reach their level of excellence and taste?