LES PAUL TRIBUTE
by: Paul Braun

The terms "Legend" and "Genius" are often thrown around like so much confetti on New Years' Eve.

Those words, however, can be applied to the late Les Paul without any reservations at all. And to at least a couple generations of musicians, you can also apply the term "hero."

In case you haven't been paying attention the last several days, Les Paul was, essentially, the man who made most of rock n' roll possible.

From the solid-body electric guitar, to studio tricks like overdubbing and multitrack recording, Paul had a passion for music second to none.

This afternoon, Jim Peterik, co-founder of The Ides Of March and Survivor and the owner of 25 of Paul's namesake guitars, remembered his hero fondly.

"I had the pleasure of meeting Les in 1980. Survivor was just getting started, and DJ's Music was throwing a big anniversary celebration at the Cicero [IL] Sports Center. Survivor played and Les Paul played. What a coup to get him!

"Survivor played all of our new songs, and then Les came down with his one guitar and effects just blew the place away. The power of his performance and his charisma was just incredible! He had the audience in the palms of his hands, with stories and technique," said Peterik.

"I've been telling people for years that he's my idol, and I mean that. Especially in terms of longevity and staying vital to the end. [Paul died at 94, and still played a regular weekly gig at a club in NYC almost up to his death.] I've said that I want to sing "Great God in Heaven" and then collapse, right there on stage. That would be a great way to go.

"Les influenced a whole lot of guitarists, but especially the British ones like Jeff Beck. If you listen to Beck's work on Stevie Wonder's "Talking Book" album, you'll hear Jeff Beck doing his best Les Paul.

"And of course, Larry and I wouldn't be doing overdubbing and multitrack recording without his innovation and pioneering. I've always had a ton of respect for him, and he really is my hero," said Jim.

"I own at least 20 and probably closer to 25 Gibson Les Pauls. The "Vehicle Guitar" is a 1968 Gold Top with special-order humbucker pickups," explained Peterik.

One of my favorite Les Paul stories dates back to 1948. Les was involved in a near-fatal car crash which shattered his right arm and elbow.

The doctors informed him that they could set his arm, but they could not rebuild his elbow so that he'd have any movement. Paul then instructed the docs to set his arm at an angle that would allow him to hold and play guitar.

How's that for passion and conviction?

For all of the joy and fulfillment I've gotten from your life and work, Mr. Paul, I salute you. R.I.P. You've definitely earned it.

Heaven's rock'n'roll band just got the Master.