FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK, NEW YORK…Tuesday, November 16, 2010…Lou Pallo, the long time friend of Les Paul and lead of the infamous Les Paul trio will perform with legendary musician Todd Rundgren on Monday, December 6, 2010 at New York’s Iridium Jazz Club at 8pm ET to unveil his first Gibson Lou Pallo Signature Les Paul model guitar.  In a fitting tribute to Les Paul who passed away in August of 2009, Pallo will perform on the very stage in which they played together for numerous years at the club. Rundgren will join Pallo for the special tribute performance and help unveil to press, the very special new model from Gibson USA.

Singer, songwriter and producer, Todd Rundgren remains one of the music industry’s most recognized and respected musicians having produced a diverse range of music throughout his career including when he was with the band Utopia in the seventies and eighties. His best known songs include “Hello It’s Me” and “I Saw the Light.” Rundgren has remained very active as a producer and engineer on the recorded work of other musicians and continues to tour and record. One of his other hits, “Bang the Drum All Day,” continues to be featured in many sports arenas, commercials and movie trailers amongst other musical arrangements.



The new Gibson USA Lou Pallo Signature Les Paul guitar model features mahogany body with a cream bound maple top in black ebony finish. The neck is mahogany and the fingerboard is Rosewood with the signature inlay 12^th fret/block inlays. The hardware is chrome with Tone Pro Kluson tuners and P-90 black cover electronics and Dirty Finger bridge pickups.  The Gibson Lou Pallo Signature Les Paul guitar comes in a hard shell case and will be available December 3, 2010 worldwide.  The MSRP is $4,699.

During the performance on Monday December 6^th Pallo will provide invite press a sneak peak at the remarkable new model as a fitting tribute to the iconic “grandfather of the electric guitar” Les Paul and his work with the Les Paul trio. Todd Rundgren will be on site to help celebrate the exclusive announcement. Press is invited to attend and can confirm their attendance by contacting the press contacts listed below. Lou Pallo will be available for interviews after the performance or by arrangements prior. Hi res images are available upon request. Photo credit for above photo: Shahar Azran.

ABOUT THE IRIDIUM:
The Iridium has been thrilling International jazz fans since 1994 and is proud to announce an even better Iridium, located at 1650 Broadway at 51st, in a historic jazz neighborhood. The New Iridium has been designed to be among the best live music experiences available anywhere! Improvements to the club include a new state of the art Meyer Sound System conceived by no less an authority than the legendary guitarist Les Paul, Acoustics, Lighting, Design and a Recording Studio. What hasn't changed is Iridium's stellar roster of jazz artists, including an new Monday night tribute to the late, great Les Paul with artists from every genre and worldwide acclaim. The Iridium remains famous for its long association with the legendary Les Paul who performed at the historic venue for over twelve years. The Iridium honors Les Paul every Monday night by presenting the Les Paul Trio with special guests who have included in the past, Jeff Beck, Zakk Wylde, Al DiMeola, Steve Miller and others. A portion of the proceeds from every Monday night’s programs benefit the Les Paul Foundation which funds the arts, medical sciences and engineering. The Iridium is located at 1650 Broadway at 51^st Street. The Iridium also hosts an award winning wine list and upscale cuisine. For more information go to www.iridiumjazzclub.com

About Gibson Guitar:

Founded in 1894, Gibson is a global music and lifestyle-oriented company based in Nashville, Tennessee, creating products that enrich the lives of musicians, fans, and consumers alike. Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument, including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins, and banjos. Run by technology visionary, Henry Juszkiewicz, the company has been at the forefront of innovation since its inception, the latest of which is the LPX guitar and the Min-ETune™ tuning system. Through the Gibson Foundation, Gibson has become equally known for its philanthropic efforts on behalf of music, education, health and human services. Gibson's family of brands encompasses some of the most widely known and respected brands in the history of music and entertainment, including: Epiphone, KRK Systems, TEAC, Cerwin-Vega!, Stanton, Onkyo, Dobro, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Echoplex, Electar, Flatiron, Slingerland, Valley Arts, Maestro, Oberheim, Baldwin, Sunshine Piano, Take Anywhere Technology, J&C Fischer, Chickering, Hamilton, and Wurlitzer. More information is available at www.gibson.com, www.facebook.com/gibson, www.twitter.com/gibsonguitar

Gibson, 1-800-4GIBSON (1-800-444-2766) or www.gibson.com