THE MODERN ERA OF THE LES PAUL LEGACY 1968-2009
(Press Release | Posted 2009-11-16)
Earlier this year the music world lost one of its last true renaissance men when Les Paul passed away at the age of 94. Les Paul was nothing short of a visionary; he invented the electric guitar and multi-track recording and still found time to maintain a career as a chart-topping singer and guitarist along with wife Mary Ford. In the last few years he reemerged on record to show he still had it and garnered a Grammy for his collaboration with Chet Atkins. And up until the very end of his life he was still performing his standing Monday night gig at New York City’s Iridium club.
Last year Hal Leonard Books published the first volume of Robb Lawrence’s exhaustive chronicle of his life, The Early Years of the Les Paul Legacy. The Modern Era of The Les Paul Legacy: 1968–2009 is the highly anticipated second book in this comprehensive two-volume set. As a close confidant to Les Paul for close to 40 years, Robb Lawrence has had unfettered access. This lovingly crafted project is the culmination of time Lawrence spent with Paul getting everything down on paper and in pictures. Here, Lawrence picks up where he left off in the first volume, offering lavish full-color never–before-seen photos plus exclusive interviews with players such as Slash and Warren Haynes as well as the Gibson designers and luthiers who have made the Les Paul guitar one of the world’s most versatile and enduring musical icons.
Beginning in the 1970s and continuing on to the present day, the Les Paul guitar has undergone enormous changes as a result of major breakthroughs and innovations. This volume is heavy on pictures of the numerous signature player models, the jaw-dropping custom shop designs, the historic reissues, and a slew of rare, prototype, and scarcely produced models. And just in time for the holidays, both books are also available as a two-volume commemorative slipcase set. This is the first complete document of Les Paul’s entire life including his final days, his last performances at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the memorials in New York, and burial in his hometown in Wisconsin.
About the Author: Prominent guitar expert, player and photojournalist Robb Lawrence wrote the original Guitar Player magazine "Rarebird" column on vintage guitars. He began his association with Les Paul in 1972, a relationship that included work on The Wizard of Waukesha, a 1978 film about Les Paul, and the 2001 Grammys tribute film. Lawrence lives in Southern California.
Publication Information: For Immediate Release; Hardcover; 359 pgs; Index; Lavish full-color photos throughout; $40.00; ISBN 978-1-4234-5531-8. Retailers may order through their preferred wholesaler; directly from Hal Leonard (800-554-0626;sales@halleonard.com); or through Music Dispatch (www.musicdispatch.com, 800-637-2852).
