Today marks Les' 97th birthday. Happy Birthday Les!
I took a look at the hundreds of Les Paul items Julien's is auctioning this weekend in it's fundraiser for the Les Paul Foundation. Amazed because so much of what I'm seeing seems like priceless, museum-quality material. I suppose he just had so much stuff accumulated over his 94 years, but selling lifetime achievement awards and such to the public?
Last weekend's Waukesha Gibson GuitarTown Gala and public unveiling was a huge success. I wanted to go to the Gala in the worst way, but didn't find out I was going until the day before. Very glad I could make it. Though not all GuitarTown artists were there I did meet a few.
After the Gala but before heading home I wandered across the street from The Rotunda, where the Gala was held, to maybe get a look inside the Gibson coach. It looked like all the movers and shakers were inside and I didn't want to intrude, but Lou Pallo, guitar player in the Les Paul trio, told me I could go inside.
There was a little cool rain for Thursday's Gala and Friday's unveiling, but not enough to dampen the crowds. All the ten foot sculptures were out around the five points Friday surrounding the Couri Insurance Main Stage, but again not all the artists were there. The Gibson coach was nearby and served as a green room for the Les Paul Trio and Sam Llanas band, but people were allowed to tour it also.
I enjoyed the Freeman Friday Night Live bands in the first WFFNL of the season and Sam Llanas played past 10:00 p.m.
The weather warmed and cleared up by Saturday so I thought I'd try the walking tour to see where the 17 standard and 10 ten-foot sculptures ended up. Couldn't have asked for nicer weather! Saw most of the guitars, but not all establishments having them were open at the time. Love the locations for the ten-footers, though probably would've placed one nearer one of the heavily traveled streets through town to attract visitors downtown.
The video I put together from all three days of GuitarTown events says it all. The audio is something I found on YouTube, but it does sound a lot like Les' playing.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
GuitarTown Video II
I tweaked my last YouTube video.
I had a lot more pics that I was saving till after the unveiling. The last one was put together in a hurry the same night I shot it. I had much more time and patience for this one and am quite satisfied. I'm happy with the music fitting the length of the video, unlike the last one which ended short.
I had a lot more pics that I was saving till after the unveiling. The last one was put together in a hurry the same night I shot it. I had much more time and patience for this one and am quite satisfied. I'm happy with the music fitting the length of the video, unlike the last one which ended short.
not Les Paul's Les Paul
I saw the "Racing Gibbys" in person for the first time yesterday during the Memorial Day Parade in Waukesha. Noticed the Les Paul Gibson is left-handed. Les was right-handed.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
guitar sculptures complete
By now all the 10 foot sculptures have been completed and turned in and the playable guitars have been fitted with strings and hardware. The ticket cut-off for the $125.00 a person May 31st gala has passed and the June 1st Friday Night Live unveiling is but two weeks away.
I'm still meeting alot of Waukesha folk who have heard little to nothing of GuitarTown. Surprising, because I've seen lots in the paper and even on TV news... but then I'm following it all. Keeping the guitars under wraps until the unveiling for the benefit of the sponsors seems to have a detrimental effect on the ability of getting the word out. Placement of the sculptures will be even more important, hopefully near a well-travelled road, for visability because word isn't getting out like it should be.
I was honored and privileged to take part in the Harley parade through Waukesha Tuesday night when Tom Noll delivered his "The Founder" 10' sculptural guitar to Marshall Auto Body for clearcoating. I saw four additional sculptures there and was thoroughly impressed. It was great meeting Tom and his family for the first time and appreciative to Tom for the tour of his home and studio. Also appreciative to Mike Krumenacher, a friend of Tom's, who allowed me to ride on the back of his cycle so I could take pictures.
I'm still meeting alot of Waukesha folk who have heard little to nothing of GuitarTown. Surprising, because I've seen lots in the paper and even on TV news... but then I'm following it all. Keeping the guitars under wraps until the unveiling for the benefit of the sponsors seems to have a detrimental effect on the ability of getting the word out. Placement of the sculptures will be even more important, hopefully near a well-travelled road, for visability because word isn't getting out like it should be.
I was honored and privileged to take part in the Harley parade through Waukesha Tuesday night when Tom Noll delivered his "The Founder" 10' sculptural guitar to Marshall Auto Body for clearcoating. I saw four additional sculptures there and was thoroughly impressed. It was great meeting Tom and his family for the first time and appreciative to Tom for the tour of his home and studio. Also appreciative to Mike Krumenacher, a friend of Tom's, who allowed me to ride on the back of his cycle so I could take pictures.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Sunday, April 22, 2012
200hours in 2minutes
I really love Tom Noll's work on his ten foot guitar and on this video. Fitting music accompaniment. Look closely toward the end of the video for guitar strings and pick.
Watch how Tom is practically dancing to the beat. When the tempo picks up he really gets busy.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
new guitartown website
Just learned of the launch of the official Waukesha GuitarTown website: http://www.waukeshaguitartown.com/ I'm not a huge fan of the pastel colors in the Waukesha GuitarTown logo, but the site definitely has a lot of information. I like that they've collected four months of news articles and I like the events page. The site is easy to read and not too cluttered. Take a gander if time allows.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Laurel's Story
Great story by Journal Sentinel writer Laurel Walker in this morning's paper highlighting the work of artist Tom Noll and touching on the history and future of Waukesha GuitarTown.
The Freeman did a nice front page story in Saturday's paper. One of the nice things about this is the timeline to watch for future GuitarTown happenings. An adjacent article describes sponsorship of the guitar art.
The Freeman did a nice front page story in Saturday's paper. One of the nice things about this is the timeline to watch for future GuitarTown happenings. An adjacent article describes sponsorship of the guitar art.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Hearing The Music With Your Eyes
Plans seem to be progressing nicely for the June 1st Waukesha GuitarTown debut during Freeman Friday Night Live in downtown Waukesha. A fund-raising gala the night before will fete the artist's accomplishments, showing off the finished guitars and auctioning five of the playable ones. Several guest musicians will be in town for the May 31st preview and the public unveiling on Friday including Sammy Llanas of the BoDeans; Rusty Paul, Les' brother; and the Les Paul Trio who Les jammed with at the Iridium every Monday night.
Now that all 20 of the playable guitars are on their way back to Gibson for fitting with hardware it's time I share some of my favorite guitar art. All photos are from Waukesha GuitarTown's flickr photostream. Not all guitars are available to show as some of the 10 foot fiberglass models are still under construction.
One thing I've noticed since the photos first started appearing is how incredibly beautiful these playable works of art and 10 foot sculptures are. A concern I had before this began is what if the art isn't something we'd want to walk past and look at the four years they're on display? But the creativity and variety is phenomenal! The styles and medium are as diverse as the artists themselves. There truly will be something for everyone to enjoy. I know some artists probably spent over a hundred hours on their creation, and Tom Noll comes to mind. Is there an award for best guitar?
Now that all 20 of the playable guitars are on their way back to Gibson for fitting with hardware it's time I share some of my favorite guitar art. All photos are from Waukesha GuitarTown's flickr photostream. Not all guitars are available to show as some of the 10 foot fiberglass models are still under construction.
One thing I've noticed since the photos first started appearing is how incredibly beautiful these playable works of art and 10 foot sculptures are. A concern I had before this began is what if the art isn't something we'd want to walk past and look at the four years they're on display? But the creativity and variety is phenomenal! The styles and medium are as diverse as the artists themselves. There truly will be something for everyone to enjoy. I know some artists probably spent over a hundred hours on their creation, and Tom Noll comes to mind. Is there an award for best guitar?
Thursday, March 29, 2012
history for sale to highest bidder
From what I've heard, this is a fund-raiser for the Les Paul Foundation. Article copied from the Gibson website.
Les Paul’s Guitars and Gear Hit the Auction Block
An amazing collection of Les Paul’s guitars, recording gear and more are set to go up for auction later this spring. Julien’s Auctions, in partnership with the Les Paul Foundation, will be auctioning these items on June 8-9, in celebration of what would have been Les’s 97th birthday.
Among the guitars featured in the auction, according to a press release:
1968 Prototype Gibson Les Paul Custom Recording Model (Est. $60-$80,000). White flat top with Bigsby tail piece and note in Paul’s handwriting, reading, “Reward this is the property of Les Paul A.K.A. Lester William Polfuss…Mahwah, New Jersey USA…”
1927 Gibson L-5 Sunburst Cremona serial number 87230 (Est. $10-$15,000) This is one of the two L-5s purchased by Les Paul, then going by the name Rhubarb Red, at Gibson in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with his friend and bandmate Sunny Joe Wolverton in 1933.
1952 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop (Est. $14-$16,000) No serial number, Trapeze tailpiece, tuners have been changed to Grover’s, patent pending with original case. This is one of the very first Les Paul guitars produced. The back of the headstock is hand-signed, “Les Paul.”
The auction also will feature Les’s touring rig, collection of effects pedals, piano and 16-track recording machine. All items will be available for a free public exhibition from May 29 through June 8 at Julien’s Beverly Hills location. The live and online auction will take place during four sessions on June 8 and 9.
For more information, visit JuliensAuctions.com.
Photos are courtesy of Julien’s Auctions.
Among the guitars featured in the auction, according to a press release:
1968 Prototype Gibson Les Paul Custom Recording Model (Est. $60-$80,000). White flat top with Bigsby tail piece and note in Paul’s handwriting, reading, “Reward this is the property of Les Paul A.K.A. Lester William Polfuss…Mahwah, New Jersey USA…”
1927 Gibson L-5 Sunburst Cremona serial number 87230 (Est. $10-$15,000) This is one of the two L-5s purchased by Les Paul, then going by the name Rhubarb Red, at Gibson in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with his friend and bandmate Sunny Joe Wolverton in 1933.
1952 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop (Est. $14-$16,000) No serial number, Trapeze tailpiece, tuners have been changed to Grover’s, patent pending with original case. This is one of the very first Les Paul guitars produced. The back of the headstock is hand-signed, “Les Paul.”
The auction also will feature Les’s touring rig, collection of effects pedals, piano and 16-track recording machine. All items will be available for a free public exhibition from May 29 through June 8 at Julien’s Beverly Hills location. The live and online auction will take place during four sessions on June 8 and 9.
For more information, visit JuliensAuctions.com.
Photos are courtesy of Julien’s Auctions.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
More Les
A few years back Les appeared at a $300.00 a plate dinner. I wanted to meet him so bad that I toyed with the idea of entering the look-alike contest for the chance. Myself and several judges waited... and waited, but no one showed up. A boy, a Waukesha alderman's son, did finally appear. He really looked the part, complete with guitar, and had no problem winning. I even helped him win by tying his tie.
Besides the fundraising dinner, Les was in town for the premier of his bio, Chasing Sound! playing in Milwaukee. I can't explain how I did it, but I got probably the last ticket to the last showing that evening. I sat up front and noticed a microphone on the seat in front of me. It wouldn't surprise me if Les came in to introduce the film, and that's exactly what happened - right in front of me.
It was after 11:00 when the film ended. Instead of heading home I thought I'd first try to find Les at the hotel I'd heard he might be staying at. When I saw a Gibson motorcoach out front I knew I found it. Must have been about 11:30 at this point. Asked at the desk if Les was around. Was told sure, upstairs, but it's late, I might have missed him. So close!
What I found was Les sucking a beer at a huge round table surrounded by autograph-seekers. I let them be and didn't immediately get in the queue. Some were taking advantage of the situation by asking him to sign guitars or multiple papers.
Les was in his 90s at this point and he didn't stop signing until everyone was satisfied... well after midnight! I was in awe. I would have done anything to meet him at the $300.00 dinner, and here I was in the right place at the right time to meet him for nothing. Priceless.
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