Celebrating The Anniversary of Woodstock and A Tribute To Les Paul

I heard this on the radio the other day that on August 13th Les Paul - The legendary guitarist and inventor, whose 'solid-body electric guitar' changed the course of 20th-century music, died at the age of 94.. At the same time I was also hearing about the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock this weekend.... So I looked up a bit of research on both as i thought both warranted some kind of tribute.

 

I found this fascinating interview with Les Paul in 2008 at the age of 93!!!

 

video.nytimes.com/video/2009/08/13/obituaries/12474639831...

 

What a lengend. He had a major influence on a number of renowned guitarists... including a few of my faves such as Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, BB King and John Lee Hooker.

 

I recently found these old photos of me. Taken when I was around 5 and 13. Both with a 'musical' influence... The one of the left is taken @ 1971... a couple of years after Woodstock. That's Dad's guitar. We had this little thing going. I'd get up real early before he went to work and sit with him while he played his guitar.. He's even let me sneak a cup of coffee with him... It was out little 'special time'. %-)

 

So I kind of grew up with music. I LOVE the guitar... but never managed to master it myself. Although my Father did and my Brother is also a brilliant guitarist. A lot of my musical influence comes from my Mother too. She had some great records when I was growing up too. Like me, she's never mastered playing an instrument but has a huge respect and appreciation for those who can! %-)

 

As a teenager.. Led Zeppelin was my favourite band. I was amused and pleased to find this old photo of me in my Lep Zep T-shirt. I was SO gutted when they spit up. They were one band I always wanted to see. (Then I discovered Pink Floyd!) I assumed Led Zep were at Woodstock, but have since discovered that their manager 'declined the offer' opting for a solo concert on the same weekend at the Ashbury Park Convention Hall in New Jersey. So I can't really link this photo to Woodstock.. but I can link it to Les Paul, cos Jimmy Page helped immortalise the Les Paul Guitar! %-)

 

Here are a couple of links I wanted to share....

jimi Hendrix iconic Star Spangled Banner since it's from Woodstock and a classic...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2bGUeDnqPY

 

But also a couple of others that are particular faves... Oh to be able to play like him... (Any of them really.. even just a smidgen!) I was always impressed that he's left handed... That was always my excuse why I am so terrible... but if anyone could do it he sure could...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FouKZ9HtmvA (Red House live)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCH9MCOvrHY&feature=related (Blues acoustic)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OsPsCmJuqE&feature=related (Angel)

 

I also got sidetracked and found this really cool acoustic cover of Hendrix 'Little Wing'.. played on a Les Paul... %-)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD0co75u2z4

 

Oh and a couple of others by the other Jimmy.... Page of course... for the nostelga....

he's also playing a Les Paul

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aixZ3wqOis&feature=related (Since I've been loving you)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9i2fqxSjTI&feature=related (Black Dog)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=McxjMfU3J80&feature=related (The Rain Song)

 

You could call this a bit of six degrees of separation..... anyway... it's been a bit of fun for me.. and made me want to get out my Led Zep and a few of other old blues albums and BLAST them LOUD! %-)

 

 

 

Done