Bob Sabellico and Bigsby Around Town
New York - Les Paul
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Les Paul live in New York |
When I was just a small boy my older brother took me to Hershey Park, Pennsylvania to hear legendary guitarist, Les Paul, perform with his wife, Mary Ford. I watched mesmerized from my brother's shoulders and listened as Les, Mary and their son Gene, on drums, transformed my life with their music. I remember to this day how different their sound was and how it motivated me. Using a multi track recorder, Les played double time arpeggios and made music with his guitar that seemed to me like it came from space. It was the coolest thing I had ever heard.
With his innovative ideas and creativity, Les Paul changed the way music was performed and produced. I know that Les and his performance that day inspired my life long interest in electronics and music.
In March of 2007 I started doing some PR with Bigsby Vibratos for Fred Gretsch Enterprises. I knew that the first person I wanted to talk to was Les Paul as he has used a Bigsby vibrato on his guitar for as long as I can remember. My friend, Pat Martino, a Jazz legend in his own right, set me up with the chance to meet Les Paul at The Iridium in New York City. I arrived at the club, was introduced to Les by his son, Russ and was invited back to the dressing room. Our conversation began as soon as we sat down and we both laughed and reminisced about his early days in music and his many groundbreaking ideas. I couldn't believe I was talking with a man 92 years young.
He told me about his days in Los Angeles and how stars like Bing Crosby used to come to his home studio to get the magic sound that was considered a Les Paul trademark. We spoke of Hershey Park, Gibson guitars, his relationship with Paul Bigsby and his use of Bigsby Vibratos. In the 70's, he incorporated a Bigsby to fit his custom "Les Pulverizer" guitar. The guitar was fitted with a multi track remote built over the tailpiece. Since he is well known for renovating his own equipment I told him that there were now new options available to customize his current tailpiece available from Bigsby.
When Les had to hit the stage I made my way through a totally packed house to my table and sat down to enjoy the show. I watched as the quiet and unassuming gentleman I had just spoken with turned into a virtuoso guitarist with the energy of a young lion. A smile appeared on his face as soon as he played his first note and it was obvious that music is the love of his life.
The quartet played everything from Over the Rainbow to an overlapping medley of Bill Bailey and Around the World. Les sounded great on his hot rod Gibson with a Bigsby, using only a little delay and some reverb. The sound was excellent, the musicians top notch and I am convinced that after playing with Les, rhythm guitarist, Lou Pallo, knows every inversion conceived for guitar.
After a few tunes Les stopped playing and launched into a monologue that covered everything from musicians and hearing aids to beautiful women. Let me just say there was a lot about beautiful women. I guess music isn't the only love of his life.
After the show we said our good byes and I promised to keep him informed about any new Bigsby offerings in the future. It was an extreme pleasure to have had the opportunity to meet the man who changed the face of music and inspired so many. He is an inspiration not only as a musician but also as one who defies time and continues to live his dream. At Bigsby we consider it an honor to have Les Paul use our products on his guitars.
Bob Sabellico
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