Gibson Guitar Announces Les Paul Commemorative Events

by Staff.

Gibson Guitar will celebrate the life and contributions of guitar and audio recording innovator Les Paul during the month of September, 2009, with events connected to the anniversary of Paul's 1953 #1 Billboard Pop Single, "Vaya Con Dios," and the release anniversary of his 2005 album, American Made: World Played. Event details have not yet been announced. Gibson also plans to produce limited edition versions of the Les Paul Studio and Les Paul Standard electric guitars in honor of Les Paul, which could be available to consumers as early as November, 2009.

"It is simply impossible to conceive what music would be like today if Les Paul had not lived," says Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. "During the month of September Gibson will celebrate Les Paul through various promotions and events insuring his legacy lives on. The Les Paul Studio and Les Paul Standard guitar remains the best selling guitar of all time and in honor of Les we will give fans the opportunity to purchase very special limited versions while enjoying numerous features and anecdotes about Les on the Gibson website at www.gibson.com. We want generations to come to have the chance to experience the brilliance of our friend Les Paul."

On August 19, 2009, Gibson Guitar hosted a gathering of friends and family to pay respects to Les Paul, who passed away on August 13. Among those in attendance were Russ Paul (Les Paul's son), Frank Vignola, Joe Satriani, Ace Frehley, Jeff " Skunk" Baxter, Joan Jett, Bucky and John Pizzarelli, Al Di Meola, Johnny A., Pat Martino, Steve Conte, members of the Les Paul Trio (Lou Pallo, John Collani and Nicki Parrott) and Gibson representatives including the Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar, Henry Juszkiewicz.

Related Links
Guitarist and Inventor Les Paul Passes Away at 94
Les Paul Interview (2005)
Guitarist Les Paul Receives 2007 National Medal of Arts
Les Paul Receives Top Arts Award from President Bush
Les Paul Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on His 90th Birthday
Les Paul Tribute Concert at Carnegie Hall
White House press release regarding 2007 National Medal of Arts recipients

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