Les Paul to Be Honored By Rock Hall With American Music Masters Concert
Guitarist Les Paul will be honored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Gibson Guitars on November 15th as part of this year’s American Music Masters series. “The Wizard of Waukesha: The Life and Legacy of Les Paul” will hit the stage of Cleveland’s Playhouse Square State Theatre and feature a week’s worth of events dedicated to the guitar pioneer, including panels, film screenings and even an academic conference. The tribute culminates with a concert on the 15th, which organizers hope the 93-year-old Paul can attend. Paul was inducted into the RRHOF in 1988 and performed a sold-out show at the venue in 2004. The list of performers that will play the concert will be announced soon. Paul is only the second living American musician to be honored by the American Music Masters series; past honorees include Sam Cooke, Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly. At last year’s tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis, the Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde, George Thorogood and Kris Kristofferson took the stage.
Related Stories:
• Billy Joel, Clive Davis Announce Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex in NYC
• Madonna, Mellencamp, Cohen Honored at Emotional Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
• Dave Clark Five Singer Mike Smith Dies, Days Before Induction into Rock Hall