Les Paul Credits Slash, McCartney for Success

Posted on Nov 20th 2008 4:00PM by Steve Baltin
Comments

Les Paul was recently named the 2008 honoree in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's American Master Series, with a week-long of tributes that culminated with an all-star concert in Cleveland, featuring Slash, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora, Patti Smith's guitarist Lenny Kaye and many more.

At 92, Paul is one of the few who can say, "They're all old friends of mine."

And the guitar innovator remains charmingly humble about the honor, crediting others for his success. "Those were the fellas that made the guitar possible today," he tells Spinner. "I'm lucky they were looking for a Les Paul -- like Paul McCartney, Slash, Jeff Beck or Jimmy Page. They all wanted to have the guitar and if it weren't for them, I probably wouldn't be known at all."

If only Lou Reed were so modest.