ELECTRIC DREAMS

Most people think the story of the iconic Les Paul model began in 1952, when Gibson launched the guitar to compete with upstart rivals Fender. But, as Les’s son Gene explains, its evolution actually began at the dawn of the 30s, with a mysterious hand-written note that quietly changed the course of guitar history. Here, for the first time, is an intimate account of how Les Paul pushed past setbacks to become the ‘Father of the Electric Guitar’

Words Jamie Dickson

“The first time I saw that guitar, he wasn’t playing it,” Gene Paul recalls of his father Les Paul’s most cherished possession. “He asked me to go downstairs and get a specific guitar. And when I brought it back upstairs, it was in its case. And he said, ‘Put it right on the table there.’ And he said, ‘Open it up.’ And I opened it up – and it was this gold magnificent guitar, simple… elegant. “I don’t think people understand what the hell this guy went through from getting that note at the barbecue stand till the time he finally got Gibson lit…” “I was just so struck by it,” Gene continues, “because I was used to the black Les Paul [Custom] guitar and the white one – the ones he…

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Guitarist (Digital) - 1 Issue, October 2021

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