I have an opportunity to go to Les Paul's house to finally meet him. I knew that he lived in my town, and I finally ran into someone that is friends with him. He told me that anytime I wanted to head over there, it would be cool. He told me that he has a massive collection of Gibsons (as you could well imagine) and that he's seen #001 (that's the first electric guitar) that's in his living room. He said that The Smithsonian was up from Washington, DC a few months ago looking to use Les' priceless collection in a display. Les told them that the only stipulation would be if it remained on display forever. They said that the display would only be up for a few years, and so Les declined the offer.
He plays the Iridium club in NYC every Monday night still. Many stars from the music world show up unannounced to catch him perform. Zakk Wylde was one, and also Paul McCartney!
He's lived with his girlfriend who's about 65 (Les is 91) since his wife Mary Ford died.
One story I can share is that this guy I know also brought another guy to meet Les earlier this year to have his Epiphone autographed. The guitar had the words 'Les Paul' model on the box, but no sign of 'Les Paul' on the actual guitar. When Les saw this, he wasn't too thrilled. So at 10 o' clock at night, he asked his girlfriend to get this guy 'Tom' on the phone. She quickly acknowledged and got on the horn. The next thing you know, Les was talking with Tom Calderone, the president of Gibson guitars. Afterall, Les is the backbone of Gibson's line.
Stay tuned....this should get good!
He plays the Iridium club in NYC every Monday night still. Many stars from the music world show up unannounced to catch him perform. Zakk Wylde was one, and also Paul McCartney!
He's lived with his girlfriend who's about 65 (Les is 91) since his wife Mary Ford died.
One story I can share is that this guy I know also brought another guy to meet Les earlier this year to have his Epiphone autographed. The guitar had the words 'Les Paul' model on the box, but no sign of 'Les Paul' on the actual guitar. When Les saw this, he wasn't too thrilled. So at 10 o' clock at night, he asked his girlfriend to get this guy 'Tom' on the phone. She quickly acknowledged and got on the horn. The next thing you know, Les was talking with Tom Calderone, the president of Gibson guitars. Afterall, Les is the backbone of Gibson's line.
Stay tuned....this should get good!
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