Les Paul Legacy By Helen Marketti “I view the guitar Each of his guitar models and variations of Reading Les Paul’s heart felt thoughts in the as singing through them is truly an overwhelming list that has front of the book (the foreward) leaves no my heart using my whet the appetite of professional and novice doubt that the timing of its release and the fingers. A lot of the musicians all around the world. The Les carefully collected information on its pages great guitar play- Paul SG, Goldtop, Custom, Junior, Special, were a labor of love and genuine respect ers sing through Standard, Deluxe, Studio and the list contin- for Les Paul and for the guitar. their instruments.” ues to guitar infinity. Les Paul’s ingenuity Beginning the week of November 10, Guitarist, author and sharp ear contributed to countless guitar 2008 the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will and photographer lines for rock and roll squires. honor Les Paul as part of its American Music Robb Lawrence The Early Years of the Les Paul Legacy Masters program with a series of events explains his ongo- (1915-1963) (Hal Leonard Publishing) fol- at Case Western Reserve University in Rare twin-humbucking pick- ing music journey lows the life of Les Paul from his early Cleveland. Robb Lawrence is going to give up equipped 1959 Les Paul which first took childhood beginnings, musical interests, his a presentation on Saturday, November 15th Custom "Black Beauty" its foothold in marriage to musical partner Mary Ford and at the university. “I will be talking about my with Bigsby vibrola. Photo 1963. “The guitar his experimentation for creating a new way book and also giving a slide show presenta- credit: Robb Lawrence seemed to be cool, for guitars to look and sound. tion.” quite compact and “I met Les Paul through contacts and A tribute concert for Les Paul is planned for very expressive. At the time I had my eyes friends,” remembers Robb. “This is a human the evening of Saturday, November 15th at set on a Fender guitar. I was anxious to get interest story. He was the one who was Playhouse Square State Theatre in downtown home from school and learn to play more there when the electric guitar was getting Cleveland. Scheduled to appear are Billy tunes.” started. I looked Gibbons (ZZ Spending a day with Robb Lawrence at the to him as a men- Top), original good to find a mentor along the way to help Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum tor and a friend. members of you dance between the notes because every in Cleveland was a crash course in Guitar I lived with Les The Ventures, note is like a person. Play with soulful elo- 101. Robb’s passion for music and guitars is for a few months Slash (Guns N’ quence.” infectious as he is able to identify the make, in 1975. It was Roses, Velvet www.lespaulonline.com model and year of each guitar on display and so much fun get- R e v o l v e r ) www.playhousesquare.org also the artist who had played it. ting to know him and Richie www.halleonard.com “I was also into photographing guitars as a and learning from Sambora (Bon www.rockhall.com hobby. To my friends and I they were “used” him. The decision Jovi) plus guitars but in reality they were “vintage” to write the book more. It is guitars. I had heard about Les Paul. I was was actually made said that Les teaching guitar lessons and a guy sold me several years ago Paul hopes to a Les Paul guitar for $250. It was a really but it takes time make the trip cool guitar. It had an amazing neck on it. to do research and and jam with I left the Fender guitar behind for awhile. interview people. Beautiful natural fl ame maple Les Paul Custom built in 2003 the perform- I became more interested in Les Paul and I wanted to make for Music Machine with special chambered body. Photo credit: ers onstage. wondered who this person was.” sure things were Robb Lawrence In addition Guitar innovator, inventor and incredible right.” to his studio legend Les Paul was born Lester William Robb continues,”I had a steady column for guitarist work with various artists Robb has Polsfuss on June 9, 1915 in Waukesha, Guitar Player Magazine in the early 70s many other projects in the works as well. Wisconsin. He is known as the Wizard of called “Rarebird.” There was so much that Volume II of the Les Paul Legacy is due for Waukesha for obvious riffin’ reasons. He I wanted to say about each guitar but there release in 2009. He is also putting together also had used the nickname Red Hot Red wasn’t enough space for it in the magazine. books on Gibson Guitars, Fender Guitar which his mother Evelyn called him because Les suggested to me that I wait and hold on Legends and Rickenbacker Guitars. of his red hair and freckles. to all of my information. We would sit down When asked if there is a common thread He is the magic man that created the solid together and discuss what might be good to among guitar players Robb had this to say, body electric guitar which combined with the put in the book. I went out on a guitar safari “Its a combined love of music and spirit for Gibson Guitar Corporation became the sound across the country to meet people in the gui- the instrument no matter what genre. Its that many of rock and roll’s greatest hits are tar world who would share their stories. I introduced Jeff Beck to Les backstage at a concert. Its a rich experience to be around these people.” The names of rockers of the past and present who have played Les Paul guitars is a “Rock”-lopedia of who respected and admired his work. Here are “a few” Les Paul players of today: Duane Allman, Sheryl Crow, Bob Dylan, The Edge (U2), Ace Frehley, Lenny Kravitz and Robby Krieger. (front: l to r) Les Paul & Robb Lawrence (holding book) A few of the late and great who had made of. Having a career spanning several played Les Paul guitars: Jimi Hendrix, John decades Les Paul still performs a weekly gig Lennon, Roy Orbison, Bob Marley, Randy every Monday night at the Iridium Club in Rhoads, Marc Bolan, John Entwistle and New York City at the age of 93. Frank Zappa.

6 Lifestyles 2000 November 2008