This is sad news. Les was nothing short of amazing. A few years ago, my wife and I were visiting my family in New York. We were staying at the Empire Hotel near Lincoln Center. As we pulled up in the early evening and handed the car over to the valet, I pulled my Baby Taylor out of the trunk. Seeing the guitar, the valet asked if I'd ever heard of Les Paul and I said of course. He then pointed to the door to the Iridium Room, next to the hotel, and told us Les was playing down there in 20 minutes. We dropped our things off in the room and ran downstairs to the club. We found a surprisingly tiny room and spent the rest of the night totally mezmerized by Les. He played, told stories, even invited the audience members to come up on stage and play or sing with him! Les had a special talent that I've found only the finest players possess - the ability to make me laugh with his playing (not laugh at it - he could play humorously, like a great comedian with impeccable comic timing!) A true great without whom we might not even be here in this forum.
May the Four Winds Blow You Safely Home.
Bill, tgo
