Legendary Guitarist Les Paul
Celebrates His 89th Birthday
May 24, 2004 - Legendary guitarist Les Paul, born Lester William Polfuss on
June 9, 1915, will be celebrating his 89th birthday
at his long time New York City home "The Iridium Jazz Club" on June 7th,
2004.
Les Paul is a living legend
and
an icon of the music world. His
performing career started at the age of 13 and by the early 1950s he was the
greatest jazz guitarist of his generation. Over the years, Les has
influenced countless musicians and guitarists and is hailed as "The Father
Of The Electric Guitar". He and Gibson (guitars) joined forces in 1952 to
design Gibson's first solid body electric guitar that took his name. The Les
Paul model changed the image of the solid body guitar from a simple plank of
wood to an elegant, stylish piece of art.
Les Paul received multiple Grammy Awards, was inducted into the Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame, pioneered the modern electric guitar and invented
numerous recording techniques.
Les Paul's regular Monday night appearances since April 1995 at The Iridium
Jazz Club in the heart of New York City attract devoted fans from all over
the world as well as world-class musicians like Paul McCartney, Keith
Richards, Tony Bennett, Steve Miller, George Benson, Pat Metheny, Jeff Beck,
Slash and countless others.
The birthday celebration will be held at The Iridium Jazz Club (1650 Broadway, corner of 51st. St.) on June 7th at 8pm. Watch out for special guests!!
© EasyNewYorkCity/Gabriela Diaz