Les Paul turned 91 years old this month, and if you don't know who he is keep reading because it’s a name you should instantly recognize. But if you play the guitar, and you don’t know of the many contributions Paul has made for music, then shame on you.
Not only is Paul one of the greatest jazz guitarist of all-time, but he is the guy that pioneered multi-track recording and introduced to the world that sweet sounding solid body guitar, the Gibson Les Paul. A model that can be said to be the only true rival of the Fender Stratocaster.
In the rock ‘n’ roll world there are a host of loyal players that choose to play the Gibson Les Paul: Jimmy Page, Ace Frehley, Neil Young, Slash, Pete Townshend, Zakk Wylde, Joe Perry, the Edge among others.
Paul’s guitars are built to last, and it is quite obvious by the way that he still commands the fretboard, that so is he. Not only does he exhibit the skill and dexterity of an accomplished musician half his age, but at 91 years old his mind is as sharp as the tip of a high E string.
Throughout his set, Paul moves from intricate chords to improvised jazz runs with ease. Watching him play, it is apparent that there is a definite connection between the music that he plays and his celebrated longevity.
The band that backs up Paul consists of Lou Pallo on guitar, Nicki Parrott on the upright bass and John Colianni at the piano. Les Paul and his Trio gives a solid performance, one that would have any musicians in the audience nodding their head with approval.
It’s important to mention that not only does Paul play the guitar, but he is also a classic entertainer as well. He cracks jokes throughout his entire set, and sometimes his humor is directed at his talented and beautiful bass player, Nicki Parrott.
At one point during the show, after she did a solo performance of her song Big Instruments, Paul glanced at Nicki and said, “I feel like a condemned building with a new flag pole on it.”
And here’s a little something that I bet you didn’t know about Les Paul. Last year, he did something different, he recorded his first rock album with a host of famous friends. The record is titled, Les Paul & Friends: American Made World Played.
The album features Sting, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Buddy Guy, Joe Perry, Billy Gibbons, Jeff Beck, Ritchie Sambora, Steve Miller, Peter Frampton among others, and it won Paul two Grammys for Best Pop Instrumental Performance for the song, Caravan and Best Rock Instrumental Performance for the song 69 Freedom Special.
That gives Paul a total of seven Grammys. I would be willing to bet some good money that none of the other artists that won Grammys in 2005 will be bringing home any awards in their 90's. Any takers?
Unfortunately, Paul did not make it to the ceremony because he was in the hospital with double pneumonia, so his awards were presented to him at his birthday celebration at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York on June 12th.
The lovely and gorgeous, Fox 5 NY News Anchor Lucy Noland presented the awards to Paul. And not to miss a chance to get a laugh, while posing for pictures with his Grammys. Paul stuck up his middle finger and said, “Here’s one for the drivers in New Jersey.”
Not only is Paul good humored, but he is also very generous with his stage. A host of talented musicians and entertainers were able to join him for a couple of songs. From a talented tap dancer, Andrew Nemr to a unique percussionist Badal Roy on the Indian drums to an impressive electric violinist Christian Howes, they were all welcome to showcase their talents, but the absolute standout of his special guests, was an amazing jazz guitarist from Sweden named Andreas Oberg.
Think Yngwie Malmsteen, but instead of sweeping arpeggios and neo-classical licks, Oberg rips the freteboard up with an array of soulful and energetic jazz solos. Even Paul was in awe of Oberg’s performance, “That will learn you,” he said with a smile.
I caught up with Paul backstage, and was able to speak with him briefly about still performing at 91 years old. “It feels good to play.”
When asked about the future of guitar and whether or not he had any more innovative ideas to offer, he said: “I got all kind of things.”
Being a guitarist myself, I was curious now, so I asked him to let me in on some of his secrets. He told me that his new projects were coming along great, but he said, “I’d rather not divulge any of that. I’ll give it to the Gibson people.”
Talk about loyalty. Alright then, how about the guitar in general? “It’s a proven item,” Paul said. “It’s the number one instrument in the world.”
I couldn’t agree with him more, the guitar is as cool as it ever was, and we can all thank Paul for helping shape the industry that has held the electric guitar aloft for all these years.
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/les_paul_7_grammys_and_91_years.html
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