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Friday August 18th, 2000

Buddy Guy gets back a Gibson Goldtop after 43 years

Buddy Guy is the quintessential blues hero. For the last five decades hes been shedding his heart and soul through the sound of his guitar, shaping and sculpting a legendary reputation as one of a few true masters of his instrument and his music.

When asked about a most memorable moment from his early days, Buddy sadly recounts losing his prized guitar--his Gibson Les Paul Goldtop. In 1957 Buddy was busy playing blues halls and dark, dusty clubs. He took out a loan to purchase the Gibson Goldtop. Making it his main instrument, Buddy played it only a few times before the guitar was stolen right off the stage at one of his gigs. Buddy never did find the guitar but still worked day and night to pay off the loan.

Now, after 43 years, the story has a happy ending. When the theft recently came to the attention of Gibson, the company immediately gave Buddy a brand new Goldtop. Buddy is delighted and since then has been seen playing the guitar nightly on his current tour.

Eric Clapton unabashedly calls Grammy-award-winning Buddy Guy his favorite blues axeman, as do adoring fans worldwide.

"High-energy guitar histrionics and boundless onstage energy have always been Guy trademarks, along with a tortured vocal style that's nearly as distinctive as his incendiary rapid-fire fretwork," writes music critic Bill Dahl. Now he's burning it up on his new Gibson Les Paul Goldtop.

See and hear the Gibson Custom, Art and Historic division's 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue here.

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