Les Paul: Real men don’t retire
Saturday night at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square State Theater was certainly one to remember for Les Paul, the legendary – if eternally self-deprecating - musical artist/inventor/innovator who’s already filled much of the last seven decades with memorable accomplishments. Capping a week-long celebration of his selection as the 13th honoree of the annual American Masters series, the tireless, 93-years-young guitarist headlined a joyous, 3-1/2 hour concert celebration of his music and legacy. The show featured an incredible line-up of fellow Rock Hall of Famers and all stars that included Slash, Billy Gibbons, James Burton, Richie Sambora, Jennifer Batten, Lenny Kaye, the Ventures, Duane Eddy, Lonnie Mack, Katy Moffat, Eric Carmen, Alannah Myles, Dennis Coffey, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, and Eric Carmen.
The Maestro, 93, in typically upbeat spirits
Les Paul is only the second living artist (after Jerry Lee Lewis last year) to be honored as an American Master, with this year’s week-long celebration co-sponsored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Case Western Reserve University, and Gibson. Les was previously inducted into the Rock Hall in 1988 as one of the cornerstones of its Early Influence category.
Here’s a local television news report from Cleveland’s WKYC-TV:
“Les Paul’s contribution to the history of rock and roll is beyond compare,” Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum President and CEO Terry Stewart noted. “His history as a musician is unparalleled. He has played with everyone from the Andrews Sisters to Eric Clapton and Eddie Van Halen. Those who have witnessed him performing live can testify to his melodic genius and soulful phrasing. His innovations - the solid-body electric guitar, sound-on-sound recording and close miking - helped usher in a new era in recording. The Museum’s exhibit, showcasing his innovative instrument design and masterful performance technique, is a cornerstone of our permanent collection.”
The week’s earlier events included Gibson Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz sharing a history of the company who helped develop and market the landmark solid-body guitar that bears Paul’s name, several veteran Gibson luthiers discussing the intricacies of the legendary instrument’s numerous models and incarnations, as well as guitar clinics by KISS veteran Ace Frehley, noted axwoman-to-the-stars Jennifer Batten and instrumental rock pioneers/Hall of Fame inductees the Ventures.
ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons
Saturday’s concert began with a bluesy duet by ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons and Barbara Lynn, then proceeded to pay tribute to Les’ early days as a pop musician via “Skunk” Baxter’s brisk, jazzy reinvention of “Take the A Train” and the duo of Eric Carmen and Sambora covering “It’s Been a Long, Long Time,” the iconic ‘40s Bing Crosby hit which showcased Paul’s elegant fretwork. Adding another touch of welcome humor to the evening, Carmen mopped Richie’s brow with a handkerchief after his expressive solo.
Richie Sambora: "Les is an old friend of mine. He gave me this special white Les Paul -- he wound the pickups himself -- for my birthday, first time I met him. I play everything from heavy metal to blues to jazz on it. He just hit it right on the head when he designed the Les Paul. I like it better than most girlfriends I've had. The godfather of rock 'n' roll, I call him. Without him, none of us would have a job."
James Burton, chicken-pickin’ good
Jennifer Batten: "I remember going to sleep many nights with a Gibson catalog, dreaming about getting a Les Paul. I finally did, with a loan from my Dad. It's a really heavy instrument. But it plays like butter. I met Les backstage at a show once. Jeff Beck made me play 'Flight of the Bumblebee' for Les, which was a little embarrassing. He changed history, big-time."
Paying tribute to Les’ chart-dominating partnership with singer/wife Mary Ford, Hall of Famer Lenny Kaye of the Patti Smith Group teamed up with Moffat and Myles for heartfelt renditions of, respectively, “How High the Moon” and “Vaya Con Dios.” Michael Jackson/Jeff Beck sidewoman Jennifer Batten turned Les and Mary’s vintage hit “Lover” into a stellar showcase for her inventive playing, just one of the highlights of a remarkable series of instrumental performances that featured the patent chicken-pickin’ style of Elvis guitar man James Burton, rock pioneers Duane Eddy and Lonnie Mack, Motown session legend Dennis Coffey, and the Ventures, who pumped up the crowd with an rollicking version of their hit, “Walk Don’t Run.”
Slash reaches for the stars on his signature edition Les Paul Goldtop
Slash’s turn in the spotlight quickly turned up the evening’s musical heat, with the Guns ‘n’ Roses/Velvet Revolver veteran indulging in some fiery soloing on a lengthy jam of “Vocalise,” backed by a house band led by another Elvis Presley band alumnus, Bobby Wood, keyboardist on many of the King’s later hits. Here’s a video clip of Slash’s Saturday night performance, recorded by a fan at Saturday night’s show:
A warm set by Les and his longtime trio concluded the evening, with the crowd of 3000 rising to its feet to give the living legend a thunderous standing ovation as he ambled up to his riser wearing a trademark baby-blue turtleneck and clutching his favorite Les Paul Recording model guitar. The legend was in fine form, his indomitable spirit once again triumphing over the severely arthritic fingers that have plagued him for decades, playing a typically lively set of jazz and pop standards, including a haunting version of the song that’s become one of his latter-day set staples, “Over the Rainbow.”
All the evening’s participants then joined Les onstage for a massive, gloriously free blues jam in E that briefly turned Cleveland’s State Theater into a guitar fan’s Heaven on Earth. “With all these wonderful musicians here, these great guitar players, this is a wonderful night for me,” Les paused to tell the rapturous crowd. More to the point, it was a wonderful, indeed remarkable night for anyone who loved music.