DELIVERANCE

Les Paul has passed away. I could write for hours about what we wouldn’t have today if this man hadn’t revolutionized the way guitars were made, played, and coveted. One major point is that Jimmy Page would not have looked so damn cool playing a Strat.

My father took me to see Les Paul at Fat Tuesdays on the eastside when I was 13 years old. I was floored by the incredible music he was playing and the graceful elegance the man played with. He was using a vintage Cherry Burst Gibson Les Paul Standard that night. I didn’t really know any of the songs accept “How High The Moon” and a version of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”. I always consider hearing music played live before a recording to be a very fortunate experience. Hearing anything played by Les is a gift. The man could have played T.V. themes from the 50’s all night and I probably would have been just as thankful today.

After the show I asked Les Paul to sign my filthy Cleveland Browns cap. CALM DOWN…..I hated the Jets at the time and wore that hat out of spite. The man didn’t want to touch the thing. It was sweat stained and covered in Black Flag logos I had painted on with White Out. With great reluctance and maybe a little hint of horror, Les Paul signed the cap and I’ll never forget it. Sometime later that year Henry Rollins also signed that same hat after dissing me in front of my sister at Second Coming Records.

I had gone to see Les Paul again years later at the Iridium near Lincoln Center. Another mind blowing show. He and his bass player signed autographs for me and he almost broke my hand. He had quite a grip for an old man. I heard he gave private lessons well into his 80’s to some lucky students. I hope they all realize how lucky they truly were.

R.I.P. Les Paul