Blogcritics Comments on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Comment by Dave Hoffman on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:24:23 EDT

To all, I am with an organization called guitarsnotguns.com please check us out! Our mission is to take guns out of childrens hands and replace them with musical instruments. I have been tirelessly trying to contact Mr. Paul to try and get him behind us, possibly as a spokesperson. We are all volunteer music teachers and this project is so important, especially in big cities where crime is rampant! If ANYONE knows how to contact Mr. Paul, please, pass this on to him, or send me an agents E mail address. I can be contacted at www.guitarsnotguns.com or patriot1sbcglobal.net Thanks so much! Dave Hoffman

Comment by Dave Hoffman on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:24:08 EDT

To all, I am with an organization called Guitars not Guns please check us out! Our mission is to take guns out of childrens hands and replace them with musical instruments. I have been tirelessly trying to contact Mr. Paul to try and get him behind us, possibly as a spokesperson. We are all volunteer music teachers and this project is so important, especially in big cities where crime is rampant! If ANYONE knows how to contact Mr. Paul, please, pass this on to him, or send me an agents E mail address. I can be contacted at guitarsnotguns.com or [Personal contact info deleted] Thanks so much! Dave Hoffman

Comment by Joel Brennan on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Fri, 4 Jul 2008 08:56:04 EDT

Hi all - I am the CEO of a Science and Technology Museum in Milwaukee, WI. You may be aware that Les was born about 15 miles from Milwaukee in Waukesha. Well, we put together a stunning exhibit using some of Les' personal collection of guitars, sound equipment and other innovations. We also had some great loans from the Rock Hall and other regular folks to round out the collection. We just opened the exhibit at the end of June, and it will be up for at least 6 months until the end of the year (could be longer). Come and take a look. Here is some information about Les and the exhibit from the opening. He came for the unveiling and to play a concert at our Pabst Theater in Milwaukee. Read on and enjoy. If you want to learn more about the exhibit and how to get here. We are proud to honor Les Paul and look forward to sharing this exhibit with his fans! Joel Brennan

Comment by Ed Driscoll on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:11:44 EDT

Hi Anthony, As was the case six (!) years ago when I wrote this article, Les is still playing two shows every Monday night at the Iridium Club in New York. To the best of my knowledge, he still signs autographs at the end of his second show, and he'll sign virtually anything. For example, many a Les Paul guitar on eBay with an autographed pickguard got that way because a player took that pickguard to the Iridium for Les to autograph it. So I'd check with the Iridium to make sure it's still the second show that Les signs autographs, and then make a beeline to Manhattan. Ed

Comment by Anthony Black on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:02:15 EDT

My dad always believed that the Les Paul guitar was the highest standard of quality that an elecrric guitar could be measured by. Needless to say he and I have always been great fans of Les. Dad died several years ago and left me his 1952 Les Paul. Does anyone know if I would stand a snowball's chance of getting Les to autograph it. Is he still playing in New York? I have no plans of letting the guitar leave the family, but I know my dad would be extreemly proud to know that Les Paul himself signed it or played it. Any insight would be greatly apreciated. thanks, ab

Comment by Willy Van den Berghe on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:44:04 EDT

Reply on # 115 Dear Bert Maybe this may solve your problem with the recording of Delicado in the 50's Go here where you can download and listen to Delicado with guitar solo by Jorgen Ingman as I already "told" you in my comment # 60 (May 2005)Maybe that's the one your looking for And Les Paul fans .....what's keeping you ? Only 3 comments in the first 4 months of 2008 ?????You can do better than that !!!!! Greetings from 'Down under " Willy

Comment by shiva mudliar on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 01:43:16 EDT

you rock dude

Comment by Vinnie Gibson on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Thu, 6 Mar 2008 02:15:51 EST

What a great article. Even now years after you wrote it. If you don't mind I am going to link to it from My hbpage on Les Paul Guitars it gives a more rounded understanding to our Guitar culture.

Comment by Jag on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Tue, 1 Jan 2008 13:14:22 EST

Saw Les Paul at the Iridium on New Year's Eve (last night). Enjoyed the show..definitely recommend it.

Comment by Nick on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 10:54:12 EST

During the 70's I worked for Mario Maccaferri (Django Reinhardt's Selmer/Maccaferri Luthier) not as a musician or luthier, but as an engineer for Mr.Maccaferri's plastic molding business. Mr.M was an excellent classical guitarist as well. He called me down to his office stating that he had a treat for me. When I walked in, there was Les Paul. The two had been longtime friends probably due to Les' admiration of Django. Any way it was a great experience to be in the room while the two talked music, guitars, guitars and more guitars. Mario made the mistake of telling Les that I played guitar. So Les said "Play something Nick" I said "Mr Paul I only love guitars but love alone does not a player make" He laughed and was very complimentary to my inept guitar skills. It was an experience I will always treasure. Several years later my son Frank visited the Iridium and was stopped by stage hands back stage when trying to get Les' autograph. Les was in ear shot when Frank stated that his dad worked for Mr.Maccaferri and asked him to get Les' autograph. Les came out and said he remembered the visit and gave Frank an autograph and a photo. There have been many Geniuses, but few have as big a heart as L.P.

Comment by Doris Leister on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 14:39:21 EST

I am told that Les Paul is in our family tree and would like to verify this. If someone in his family is into geneology could they check this out? The names that might match are Boser, Ellenbecker, Odenbrett, Mauritz, Ewan, Neuenfeldt, Dressl. Thanks Doris Ellenbecker Leister

Comment by Louie Seven on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 14:28:43 EDT

I have read all these comments and enjoyed same. Les played at the Great American Music Hall in August of 1975. We had seats at the front table, and I recorded both shows on audio tape. Les gave me his pick at the end of the program. His son Bobby played drums and Les demonstrated the Les Paulverizer. This was one of the first shows he did after coming out of semi-retirement and was probably not much different from the shows he was doing before he went into semi-retirement. That is to say, he didn't make any changes in the pre-recorded accompanyment - Bing's Voice - etc. Les Paul is the greatest electric guitarist that ever lived. By that, I refer to his flawless timing, his flawless taste, and his flawless execution of flawless material. Do I seem biased ? Regards, Louie Seven

Comment by Danny Daughtry on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Sat, 15 Sep 2007 02:09:25 EDT

To Bert Morrison The artists that recorded Delicado were Ray Anthony, Marion Brown, Jimmy Dorsey, Percy Faith, Woody Herman, Michel LeGrand, Edmond Ros And Dinah Shore. Long live Les Paul. I am a big fan of his.

Comment by Charlie Dzuba on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Tue, 4 Sep 2007 19:04:19 EDT

Response to #114 & #117 ("Chasing Sound); Saw Les at the Iridium on Sept. 3, 2007. Gave me his DVD "Chasing Sound." It's 90 minutes long which is an additional 30 plus minutes more than shown on PBS. I understand the DVD can be had from $11.00 to $35.00. Response to #118 (Machine(s) Les uses on stage at the Iridium); as of the above date Les uses; Digital Delay, Reverb, Tremelo - Boss, a Boss Tuner and Chorus. I got this information from Chris Lentz (www.rubarbred.com and www.redhotred.com.) Chris is Les' "all-around man." He is Les' videographer, photographer, and assists Les' in the "Green Room" as well as "on the road." Les still looks and plays well even with a severe case of osteoarthritis.

Comment by william. on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 18:22:34 EDT

Can someone tell me what echo machine les uses on stage? Love the man!!william.

Comment by Les Pauls on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 14:53:31 EDT

I just watched this show again... talk about an inspiring story! And.. man did he have the chops back in the day. Very unusual to see someone so musically talented, and successful... and have the desire to invent/build things. Makes me realize, I should be doing ALOT more. J

Comment by alecia on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 11:24:57 EDT

exellent article im doing an eminent persons project and i chose him as someone that has changed the world for the good!! :D ( i luv my Guitars! )

Comment by Bert Morrien on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 07:59:05 EDT

Reply on #104: So I have to realize that Les Paul never recorded Delicado. That makes me wonder who played the one I am looking for, because I cannot find it in the rather big collection of Delicado recordings that I examined. But that's another question. Nevertheless, I am very happy with the many other wonderful recordings that Les (and Mary) made!

Comment by Les Pauls on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 10:41:29 EDT

Excellent article! Just watched the show on PBS. Les Paul is great.. the guitar and the man. Thanks! j

Comment by Martin Bryk on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 06:57:53 EDT

Answering Bob#111 -Quote from Alex Lifeson:"I may end up going exclusively Gibson for this tour." (Snakes and Arrows) Alex says he used the old ES-335 for 60% of the new album but he is also using a beautiful LES PAUL Goldtop Reissue. Alex says that Geddy says,"You should only ever have a Les Paul in your hands." -guitaronemag.com June 2007 issue of the magazine has Lifeson cover story(inside is great pics of Alex with goldtop LP).

Comment by gonzo marx on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 23:24:17 EDT

Alex Lifeson always has his guitars custom made, NO plastic on any of his instruments, metal and wood only. Falcon guitars in New Jersey made a few for him, i met the guy a few times and got the info from him Excelsior?

Comment by BOB on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 23:18:37 EDT

Does Anyone Know If Alex Lifeson Of Canadian Power Rock Trio "RUSH" Using Les Paul Guitars On The New RUSH Album SNAKES AND ARROWS Tour? www.rushisaband.com www.2112.net Has Alex Lifeson Ever Met LES PAUL?

Comment by Charlie Dzuba on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Mon, 2 Jul 2007 13:02:54 EDT

Les Paul's friend Jon Paris (Blues singer and harmonica player)sent this to me; National premier of "Chasing Sound" about Les Paul by American Masters will air on Wednesday July 11, 2007 at 9PM (Eastern Time) on PBS. Jon can be seen at B.B. King's Lucille's Bar & Grill at 7th and 42nd street NYC, on Monday nights. He usually stops by at Les' late show.

Comment by Charlie Dzuba on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 14:25:31 EDT

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - LES BORN JUNE 9, 1915 AND AT 92 STILL GROWING STRONG BIRTHDAY PARTY AT IRIDIUM TONIGHT (JUNE 11)

Comment by Willy Van den Berghe on The Many Lives of Les Paul

Fri, 11 May 2007 23:32:07 EDT

Reply #102 Dear Amanda Mea Culpa ,Mea Culpa , Mea Maxima Culpa in other words " I AM SORRY " In # 106 I have provided you with the wrong information . I took the numbers from my "Les Paul tracks on Various artists CD's " instead of the numbers from the Les & Mary CD's . That means that the information I gave you was about "Nola""Tennessee Waltz " "How High the......a.s.o You should be able to find "Amukiriki"(and NOT Amukuriki as I mentioned in # 107 (-A typing fault for which only I am responsible))besides on Disc 3 of The Legeend and the Legacy on one of the following CD's The EP Collection Label See For Miles SEECD 724 Released 2001 in the U.K The Best of LP & MF a 3 CD-set in the Time/Life Series A Touch of Class Disky TC886302 Released 1998 Holland Blowin' the Smoke Away from A Trail of Hits Jasmine JAS 3516 I checked (and double-checked )this time . Especially the Jasmine ,Disky and See for Miles CD's I come across on the internet , so I see no difficulties in obtaining a copy of one of them. Sorry for the misunderstanding in #106. I woke up last night around 2 am and felt there was something wrong so I sorted it out . That's the trouble with me , I'm always over-enthousiastic when it has to do with Les and that makes me act before I think . Could it be that I'm a fan ??? You , people in the U.S were lucky . You grew up watching Les and Mary on the TV but for us ,living in Europe "they"were only a photograph.Would you believe that I first saw Les actually playing the guitar was in 1992 .Before that "they" were only a photo on our mantelpiece (and they stayed as young as 40 years before)Only a couple of months ago I saw ,for the first time, Mary actually playing guitar with Les when a dear friend sent me a tape of their appearance in the Abbott & Costello show from 1954 (Thank You , Duane !!)(Not forgetting the Les & Mary at Home (Listerine)tape)I could go on for hours but my English isn't 100% ,as you may have noticed .At night I made up the most beautiful sentences but here I sit with a case of writers block . Keep on going Les and " Gruess Gott" Willy