Elvis-Weak 2009 (Pt. 2) Elvis and Alvino Rey Discography

Blue Hawaii 1961

The song Blue Hawaii
was first introduced by Bing Crosby
in the 1937 film,
"Waikiki Wedding"

Showcased by beautiful panoramic shots of Hawaii the film boasts one of the best selling soundtrack albums of all time. Elvis is in top form returning to the islands after a stint in the army to take up a position with a travel agent showing tourists around. Elvis' relaitionship with Maile Duval (Joan Blackman) is threatened when Elvis has to escort a bunch of amorous school girls around the island on a holiday as well as getting unwelcome attention from the glamorous teacher.

The songs featured in the film were:

"BLUE HAWAII"
"ALMOST ALWAYS TRUE"
"ALOHA OE"
"NO MORE"
"CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE"
"ROCK - A - HULA BABY"
"MOONLIGHT SWIM"
"KU-LI-I-PO"
"ITO EATS"
"SLICIN' SAND"
"HAWAIIN SUNSET"
"BEACH BOY BLUES"
"ISLAND OF LOVE"
"HAWAIIN WEDDING SONG"

Musicians:

Elvis Presley (vocals), Hank Garland, Tiny Timbrell (guitars), Bernie Lewis (steel guitar), Bob Moore (bass), D.J. Fontana, Bernie Mattinson, Hal Blaine (drums), Floyd Cramer, Dudley Brookes (piano), Boots Randolph (sax), George Field (harmonica), Fred Tavares, Alvino Rey (ukeleles)the Jordanaires and the Surfers (vocals).

3/21/61

Aloha-Oe
Ku-U-I-Po
(Hawaiian
Sweetheart)
Slicin’ Sand
Hawaiian Sunset
Released: October
1961 Elvis and Joan Blackman
No More
Released: October 1961 November 1972
&nbs p; All recorded for the movie “Blue Hawaii”.
Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, California. Elvis Presley
(vocal, guitar), Scotty Moore, Hank Garland, Hilmer J. "Tiny" Timbrell
(guitar), Floyd Cramer (piano), Dudley Brooks (piano, Celeste), Bob
Moore (bass), D.J. Fontana, Hal Blaine, Bernie Mattinson (drums),
Bernie Lewis (pedal steel), Homer "Boots" Randolph (tenor ax), George Fields (harmonica), Fred
Tavares, Alvino Ray (ukulele), The Jordanaires, The Surfers, Dorothy McCarty, Virginia Rees, Loulie
-Jean Norman, and Jacqueline Allen (background vocals).

KEY: Red Letters: Elvis’ Gold Records
Red Letters #1:Elvis’ Number One Hits UNK: Unknown
Green Letters: Unreleased recordings
Bold Letters: Released recordings

1960

Tues. 3/1/60

Recorded Interview
Elvis holds a press conference at Friedberg Army Base. It’s tape
recorded and filmed.

Tues. 3/8/60 Recorded Interview
Elvis, out of the army, holds a press conference in Vernon’s office at
Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. It is filmed and tape-recorded.

Sun. 3/20/60 Make Me Know It
Soldier Boy
Released: April 1960
Recorded at the RCA Studios, Nashville, Tennessee. Elvis Presley
(vocal, guitar), Scotty Moore (guitar), Floyd Cramer (piano), Bob
Moore (bass), Hank Garland (guitar, bass), D.J. Fontana, Murrey "Buddy" Harman (drums), and
The Jordanaires

Mon. 3/21/60 Stuck On You #1
Released: March 1960 September 1963 August 1970
January 1974
Fame And Fortune
Released: March 1960 September 1963 August 1971
It Feels So Right
Released: April 1960 May 1965
A Mess Of Blues Hank Garland (bass)
Released: July 1960 February 1968 August 1970
Recorded at the RCA Studios, Studio B, Nashville,
&nbs p; Tennessee. Elvis Presley (vocal, guitar), Scotty Moore
(guitar), Floyd Cramer (piano),Bob Moore (bass), Hank
Garland (guitar, bass), D.J. Fontana, Murrey "Buddy"
Harman (drums), and The Jordanaires (background vocals).

Sat. 3/26/60 Witchcraft
Love Me Tender
Duets with Frank Sinatra.
The Frank Sinatra ”Welcome Home
Elvis” TV-special is video taped at
The Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami,
Florida.

Sun. 4/3/60 Fever
Released: April 1960 March 1975 Frank Sinatra and Elvis
Like A Baby
Released: April 1960
It’s Now Or Never #1
Released: July 1960 April 1961
September 1963 August 1970
January 1976
Recorded at the RCA Studio B,
Nashville, Tennessee. Elvis Presley
(vocal, guitar), Scotty Moore (guitar),
Floyd Cramer (piano), Bob Moore
(bass), D.J. Fontana, Murrey "Buddy" Harman (drums), Homer
"Boots" Randolph (tenor sax), and The Jordanaires (background
vocals).

Mon. 4/4/60 The Girl Of My Best Friend
I Will Be Home Again
The Thrill Of Your Love
The Girl Next Door Went A Walking
Reconsider Baby
Released: April 1960
Dirty, Dirty Feeling
Released: April 1960 July 1965
Such A Night
Released: April 1960 July 1964 January 1976
Are You Lonesome Tonight #1
Released: November 1960 April 1961
September 1963 August 1970 January 1974
I Gotta Know
Released: November 1960 September 1963
August 1970
Recorded at the RCA Studio B, Nashville, Tennessee. Elvis Presley (vocal, guitar), Scotty Moore (guitar),
Floyd Cramer (piano), Bob Moore (bass), D.J. Fontana, Murrey "Buddy" Harman (drums), Homer
"Boots" Randolph (tenor sax), and The Jordanaires (background vocals).

Wed. 4/27/60 G. I. Blues
Didja' Ever
Doin' The Best I Can
Released: October 1960
Frankfort Special (fast tempo)
Pocket Full Of Miracles
Tonight Is So Right For Love
Shoppin' Around
These four songs were started but
left unfinished.
What’s She Really Like
18 seconds of this song is sung by Elvis in the beginning of the
movie in the shower.
Whistling Blues
Instrumental
Recorded at the RCA Studios, Hollywood, California. Elvis Presley (vocal, guitar), Scotty Moore, Hilmer
J. "Tiny" Timbrell, Neil Mathews (guitar), Dudley Brooks (piano), Ray Siegel (bass), D.J. Fontana, Frank
Bode (drums), Jimmie Haskell (accordion), Hoyt Hawkins (tambourine), and The Jordanaires (back ground
vocals).

Thurs. 4/28/60 Wooden Heart #1
(Fred Wise and Ben Weisman rewrite of German children’s
song entitled "Muss I Denn" by Kay Twomey and Bert
Kaempfert)
Released: October 1960 November 1964 October 1965
August 1970
Big Boots
Bootleg release.
Two versions, a slow and a fast one, were attempted and
then left unfinished.
Pocketful Of Rainbows
Bootleg release.
These two songs are worked on again.
What’s She Really Like
Blue Suede Shoes (re-recording)
Both released: October 1960
Recorded at the RCA Studios, Hollywood, California. Elvis Presley (vocal, guitar), Scotty Moore,
Hilmer J. "Tiny" Timbrell, Neil Mathews (guitar), Dudley Brooks (piano), Ray Siegel (bass), D. J.
Fontana, Bernie Mattinson (drums), Jimmie Haskell (accordion), Hoyt Hawkins (tambourine), and The
Jordanaires (background vocals).

Mon. 5/2/60 Filming
Filming begins on “G. I. Blues”.

Fri. 5/6/60 Frankfurt Special (medium tempo)
Pocketful Of Rainbows
Big Boots (medium tempo)
Big Boots (slow tempo)
Shoppin' Around
Tonight's All Right For Love
Released: October 1960
November 1972 January 197 4
Recorded at Radio Recorders, Elvis and Juliet Prowse
Hollywood, California. Elvis Presley (vocal, guitar), Scotty Moore,
Hilmer J. "Tiny" Timbrell, Neil Mathews (guitar), Dudley Brooks
(piano), Ray Siegel (bass), D.J. Fontana, Bernie Mattinson (drums),
Jimmie Haskell (accordion), Hoyt Hawkins (tambourine), and The
Jordanaires (background vocals).

Late 6/60 Filming
Filming is completed on “G.I. Blues”.

Mon. 8/8/60 Summer Kisses, Winter Tears
Released: April 1961 Released: July 1965
Britches
Cut from the film. Bootleg release.
Black Star
Not used in the film, it was one of the original titles for the film and the
title song.
UNK release date on bootleg.
A Cane And A High Starched Collar
Released: January 1976
Summer Kisses, Winter Tears (movie version)
Left out of the movie “Flaming Star”.
Recorded at the 20th Century Fox Studios, Hollywood, California. Elvis Presley (vocal, guitar), Scotty
Moore, Hilmer J. "Tiny" Timbrell, Neal Mathews (guitar), Dudley Brooks (piano), Ray Siegel (bass),
D.J. Fontana (drums), Jimmie Haskell (accordion), The Jordanaires (background vocals), and the
remaining musicians are unidentified.

Tues. 8/16/60 Filming
Filming begins on the movie
“Flaming Star”.

Tues. 10/4/60 Filming
Filming is completed on
“Flaming Star”.

Wed. 10/11/60 Flaming Star
Released: April 1961 November 1968
Flaming Star (end title version)
UNK release. Bootleg.
Recorded at the 20th Century Fox Studios, Hollywood, California.
Elvis Presley (vocal, guitar), Scotty Moore, Hilmer J. "Tiny" Timbrell,
Neal Mathews (guitar), Dudley Brooks (piano), Ray Siegel (bass),
D.J. Fontana (drums), Jimmie Haskell (accordion), The Jordanaires (background vocals), and the
remaining musicians are unidentified.

Sun. 10/30/60 He Knows Just What I Need
Mansion Over The Hilltop
I Believe In The Man In The Sky
Released: December 1960 April 1965 August 1971
Milky White Way
Released: December 1960 April 1965 February 1966
His Hand In Mine
Released: December 1960 April 1969 March 1976
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
One source says this song was also recorded on this day, but I don’t find
any confirmation of it.
Surrender #1
(New lyrics/arrangement to Italian song, "Torna a Sorrento".)
Released: February 1961 September 1963 August 1970
Elvis had some trouble with the final high notes and was taken
into the bathroom by the Jordanaires' bass singer, Ray Walker,
to get instruction in breath control. Elvis finally got the ending
right and it was spliced into the take 4 they had finished with a
poor ending.
Recorded at the RCA Studios, Nashville, Tennessee. Elvis
Presley (vocal, guitar), Scotty Moore (guitar), Floyd Cramer
(piano), Bob Moore (bass), D.J. Fontana, Murrey "Buddy"
Harman (drums), Homer "Boots" Randolph (tenor sax), The
Jordanaires, Millie Kerkham, and Charlie Hodge (background
&nbs p; vocals), and the remaining musicians are unidentified.

Mon. 10/31/60 I’m Gonna Walk Dem Golden Stairs
In My Fathers House (Are Many Mansions)
If We Never Meet Again
Working On The Building
Released: December 1960
Swing Down Sweet Chariot
Known Only To Him
Joshua Fit The Battle
All of the above three released: December 1960 February 1966
One source says these songs were recorded on 10/30/60.
Crying In The Chapel #1
Released: April 1965 March 1967 August 1970
Recorded at the RCA Studios, Nashville, Tennessee.
Elvis Presley (vocal, guitar), Scotty Moore (guitar), Floyd
Cramer (piano), Bob Moore (bass), D.J. Fontana, Murrey
"Buddy" Harman (drums), Homer "Boots" Randolph (tenor
sax), The Jordanaires, Millie Kerkham, and Charlie Hodge
(background vocals), and the remaining musicians are
unidentified.

Mon. 11/7/60 Lonely Man (record version)
(The original title of the film “Wild In The Country.)
Released: February 1961 February 1968 August 1971
Forget Me Never
Released: February 1961 January 1973
These two songs were cut from the film “Wild In The Country”.
Wild In The Country (record version)
Released: May 1961 August 1971
In My Way
Released: July 1965 January 1973
Husky, Dusty Day
&n bsp; Never released other than in the movie. Duet with actress Hope Lange.
Recorded at the 20th Century Fox Studios, Hollywood, California. Elvis Presley (vocal, guitar), Scotty
Moore (guitar), Floyd Cramer, Dudley Brooks (piano), Bob Moore (bass), D.J. Fontana, Murrey
"Buddy" Harman (drums), The Jordanaires (background vocals), and the remaining musicians are
unidentified.

Tues. 11/8/60 I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell
UNK first release date. January 1973
Recorded at the 20th Century Fox Studios, Hollywood, California. Elvis Presley (vocal, guitar), Scotty
Moore (guitar), Floyd Cramer, Dudley Brooks (piano), Bob Moore (bass), D.J. Fontana, Murrey
"Buddy" Harman (drums), The Jordanaires (background vocals), and the remaining musicians are
unidentified.

Fri. 11/11/60 Filming
Elvis starts filming the movie “Wild In The Country”.

1961
Wed. 1/18/61 Filming
The filming of the movie
“Wild In The Country”
was completed.

Sun. 3/12/61 I Feel So Bad
Released: May 1961
September 1963
August 1970
Gently
Give Me The Right Hope Lange and Elvis
I Want You With Me
In Your Arms
It’s A Sin
I’m Coming Home
All released: June 1961
There’s Always Me
Released: J une 1961 August 1967
These songs are for the album “Something For Everybody”.
Recorded at the RCA Studios, Nashville, Tennessee. Elvis Presley (vocal, guitar),
Scotty Moore, Hank Garland (guitar), Floyd Cramer (piano), Bob Moore (bass),
D.J. Fontana, Murrey "Buddy" Harman (drums), Boots Randolph
(tenor sax), The Jordanaires and Millie Kirkham (background vocals).

Mon. 3/13/61 Starting Today
Sentimental Me
Released: June 1961 January 1973
Judy
Released: June 1961 August 1967
Put The Blame On Me
Released: June 1961 July 1965
These songs are for the album “Something For Everybody”.
Recorded at the RCA Studios, Nashville, Tennessee. Elvis Presley
(vocal, guitar), Scotty Moore, Hank Garland (guitar), Floyd Cramer (piano), Bob Moore (bass), D.J.
Fontana, Murrey "Buddy" Harman (drums), Homer "Boots" Randolph (tenor sax), The Jordanaires, Millie
Kirkham (background vocals).

Fri. 3/17/61 Filming
Elvis starts filming the movie “Blue Hawaii”, his most successful film.

Tues. 3/21/61 Aloha-Oe
Ku-U-I-Po
(Hawaiian
Sweetheart)
Slicin’ Sand
Hawaiian Sunset
Released: October
1961 Elvis and Joan Blackman
No More
Released: October 1961 November 1972
&nbs p; All recorded for the movie “Blue Hawaii”.
Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, California. Elvis Presley
(vocal, guitar), Scotty Moore, Hank Garland, Hilmer J. "Tiny" Timbrell
(guitar), Floyd Cramer (piano), Dudley Brooks (piano, Celeste), Bob
Moore (bass), D.J. Fontana, Hal Blaine, Bernie Mattinson (drums),
Bernie Lewis (pedal steel), Homer "Boots" Randolph (tenor ax), George Fields (harmonica), Fred
Tavares, Alvino Ray (ukulele), The Jordanaires, The Surfers, Dorothy McCarty, Virginia Rees, Loulie
-Jean Norman, and Jacqueline Allen (background vocals).

Wed. 3/22/61 Blue Hawaii
Almost Always True
Ito Eats
Ito Eats (movie tag)
Island Of Love (Kauai)
Hawaiian Wedding Song (movie version)
The duet with Joan Blackman is recorded.
Hawaiian Wedding Song (album version)
Released: October 1961
Moonlight Swim
Duet with co-star Joan Blackman. Elvis leaves openings for
her vocal to be dubbed in later.)
Steppin’ Out Of Line (record version)
Steppin’ Out Of Line (movie version)
Cut from the film.
All songs are for the movie “Blue Hawaii”.
Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, California. Elvis Presley (vocal, guitar), Scotty Moore,
Hank Garland, Hilmer J. "Tiny" Timbrell (guitar), Floyd Cramer (piano), Dudley Brooks (piano, Celeste),
Bob Moore (bass), D.J. Fontana, Hal Blaine, Bernie Mattinson (drums), Bernie Lewis (pedal steel),
Homer "Boots" Randolph (tenor ax), George Fields (harmonica), Fred Tavares, Alvino Ray (ukulele),
The Jordanaires, The Surfers, Dorothy McCarty, Virginia Rees, Loulie-Jean Norman, and Jacqueline
Allen (background vocals)

Thurs. 3/23/61 Beach Boy Blues
Released: October 1961
Beach Boy Blues (movie version)
Rock-A-Hula Baby
Released: October 1961 November 1961 August 1970
Can’t Help Falling In Love (movie version)
Can’t Help Falling In Love #1
Released: October 1961 November 1961 August 1970
January 1974
Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, California.
Elvis Presley (vocal, guitar), Scotty Moore, Hank Garland,
Hilmer J. "Tiny" Timbrell (guitar), Floyd Cramer (piano),
Dudley Brooks (piano, Celeste), Bob Moore (bass), D.J.
Fontana, Hal Blaine, Bernie Mattinson (drums), Bernie
Lewis (pedal steel), Homer "Boots" Randolph (tenor ax),
George Fields (harmonica), Fred Tavares, Alvino Ray (ukulele), The Jordanaires, The Surfers, Dorothy
McCarty, Virginia Rees, Loulie-Jean Norman, and Jacqueline Allen (background vocals)

Mon. 6/26/61 I’m Yours
Released: June 1962 August 1965
(Marie’s The Name) His Latest Flame #1
The 8th take was used.
Released: August 1961 September 1963 August 1970
August 1971

Little Sister
Both released: August 1961 September 1963 August 1970
Recorded at the RCA Studios, Nashville, Tennessee.
Elvis Presley (vocal, guitar), Scotty Moore, Hank Garland,
Neal Mathews (guitar), Alvino Rey (steel guitar), Fred
Tavares, Bernie Lewis (ukulele), Floyd Cramer (piano),
Dudley Brooks (Celeste), Bob Moore (bass), D.J. Fontana
and Murrey "Buddy" Harman, Hal Blaine (drums), Homer
"Boots" Randolph (tenor sax), The Jordanaires
(background vocals).

Les Paul 14-Karat Gold Guitar

mrjynRT @mrjyn Les Paul 14-Karat Gold http://bit.ly/43mRUy #video #followfriday @nichopoulouzo #youtube*

Les "Lester William Polsfuss" Paul

		Les Paul was hospitalized last year with fluid in his lungs, but he has since recovered and said he plans to continue his Monday performances at the Iridium Jazz Club, in Manhattan, N.Y., "even if they have to bring me here on a stretcher." By Colin Archer, AP

LES PAUL Birthname: Lester William Polsfuss. Age: 91; born June 9, 1915. Now lives in: Mahwah, N.J. Innovations: Developed prototype for solid-body electric guitar produced by Gibson; developed recording techniques such as close miking, multitracking and use of echo and delay; introduced first eight-track tape player in 1950s; built early model synthesizer. Notable awards: Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1988), Songwriters Hall of Fame (2005), National Broadcasters Hall of Fame (2006), National Inventors Hall of Fame (2005). Five Grammy Awards (three for instrumental albums, one technical award, one lifetime achievement award). Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award (2004). Quote: On his motivation for building a solid-body electric guitar: "I was playing an apologetic, sweet little instrument that was always in the background. It had a lot to say but nobody could hear it. I was playing a little drive-in barbecue stand outside of Waukesha, and one of the guys in the rumble seat wrote a note to the carhop and said, 'Red, your voice, your jokes, your singing, your harmonica is fine, but the guitar's not loud enough.' I went home to my mother and said, 'Mom, one of the critics at the barbecue stand just lit the light for me that the guitar has to be amplified also."'

NEW YORK — Some 80-plus years ago, long before his name became synonymous with the invention that changed the course of popular music, Les Paul was fascinated by sounds.

Barely out of kindergarten, he was intrigued by the tinkling of the player piano in his mother's parlor and the different tones he could create by tapping the wooden banister rails on his way upstairs at bedtime.

That childhood fascination drove him as a young man to experiment with what would eventually become one of the first mass-produced electric guitars that still bears his name and is considered an industry standard.

Watching Paul meticulously check his levels and fiddle with a battalion of electronics before a recent performance, it was obvious that as he approaches his 92nd birthday, his musical curiosity is as undiminished as his love for performing.

"It takes your whole life, because you're constantly thinking up new things," Paul said in a backstage interview at Iridium Jazz Club, where he has commuted from his home in Mahwah, N.J., almost every Monday night since 1996. "I have a list of things that you should be able to hear and are not yet created."

Paul wears one modern gadget when he performs. What looks like a standard hearing aid actually doubles as a miniature wireless monitor speaker that allows him to better hear his band onstage.

"He's always looking at new technologies," Marty Garcia, president of Future Sonics, which makes the ear monitors. "He'll call me at 9 o'clock at night and we'll be on the phone for hours."

Arthritis in his left hand prevents Paul from playing the lightning-fast scales for which he was known in his heyday, but he has adapted his style to combine chords and single-note runs. He nearly lost his right arm in a car accident in 1948, but persuaded doctors to set it at an angle that would allow him to still play the guitar.

"I said, 'Aim it at my navel and I'll be just fine,"' he recalled. "The rest is history."

The set list at Iridium changes from Monday to Monday but usually features old standbys such as "Over The Rainbow," "Embraceable You" and "Sweet Georgia Brown." Paul also includes an up-tempo version of "Tennessee Waltz," one of the songs he popularized with his late wife, singer Mary Ford, in the 1950s.

The shows are equal parts music and Borscht Belt comedy shtick. Rhythm guitarist Lou Pallo, bassist Nicki Parrott and pianist John Colianni play straight roles as Paul riffs on any number of topics.

During a recent performance he bantered with Colianni about what crosses a musician's mind when he pauses during a solo.

"Know what I think about?" Paul asked.

"What's that, Les?"

"My wife's sister."

The room shakes with laughter.

Paul credits his smooth delivery to years spent playing TV and radio gigs with some of the biggest names in comedy.

"I would sit there in the conference room and Jack Benny would be rehearsing the show for that night," he said. "Jackie Gleason, they were all dear friends of mine. There's where I learned."

GUITAR GROOVE: 10 great places to get it

In person, Paul is an engaging raconteur with an extraordinary ability to recall the details of his more than seven decades in show business — like the time in the 1970s when he was approached by country-and-western star Chet Atkins with what seemed a puzzling proposal.

"Chet said, 'I'll play my violin and sing and you'll play your banjo and your harmonica and we'll do all the things we're not known for,"' Paul said. "Well, I was terrible on the harmonica, terrible on the banjo and I sang just as bad as I always do. And Chet was no better, so between the two of us we were horrible. I said to Chet, 'Don't you think we should do what we can do best?"'

The result was a Grammy-winning album, one in an almost endless number of awards and accolades Paul has received. He is likely the only person who has been honored by separate national halls of fame for broadcasting, inventing, song writing and rock 'n' roll.

The story of Paul's role in the development of the solid-body electric guitar in the 1940s has become part of rock folklore: how he fashioned an early version out of a piece of railroad track before settling on a more manageable size and weight. (Around the same time, Fullerton, Calif.-based Leo Fender was developing an electric guitar that remains Gibson's chief competitor.)

Once Paul developed a reliable prototype, he immediately began to experiment with altering the basic sounds of the guitar, and laid the groundwork for the reverb pedals, flanges and other effects guitarists use today.

"I said, 'Look what I can do here, I can make it sound like it's underwater, I can make this thing sound like it's in the Alps with all the echo and delay,"' he said. "It was a giant step forward."

Gibson began mass-producing the Les Paul model in 1952, and it eventually became the instrument of choice for generations of rock musicians, many of whom grew up unaware that its brand name refers to a person.

Paul's interest in sound dates back to when he was barely out of kindergarten: He would make sounds on the staircase banisters as if he were playing a marimba or vibraphone.

He also noticed that when he slowed the tempo of his mother's player piano, the notes would play at the same pitch, yet when he slowed the family's Victrola, the notes got lower. With the help of a school science teacher and the local library, he discovered a distinction that many adults might find challenging today: the phonograph operated on analog principles, while the player piano used digital.

More than 80 years later, his influence on popular music is incalculable, largely due to his early use of recording techniques such as multitracking, delay and echo. His 90th birthday at Carnegie Hall in 2005 drew a diverse roster of guitarists including Peter Frampton, Jose Feliciano, Steve Miller and Edgar Winter, and he collaborated with Frampton, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and others on a rock album, Les Paul & Friends: American Made, World Played.

In addition to the guitars spread all over the world, some of Paul's items are on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, and he is donating more for an exhibit at the Waukesha (Wis.) County Historical Society, in the town where he grew up. He is scheduled to play a concert in Waukesha in May to benefit the museum project.

The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History also is discussing an exhibit.

"He has far more artifacts of interest and significance than any one institution could take," said John Fleckner, the Smithsonian museum's senior archivist. "There's no question that we would welcome a donation of materials from someone as significant in so many different ways as him."

Paul was hospitalized last year with fluid in his lungs and missed the Grammys, but has since recovered and said he plans to keep playing at Iridium on Mondays "even if they have to bring me here on a stretcher."

"It's better than any award I could get," he said. "It is the greatest therapy you can get, to be among your friends, make new friends, make people laugh, make people happy. You feel like you're doing something with your life rather than just letting the days pass by."

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Les Paul - GIBSON OBITUARY-MEMORIAL - SLIDESHOW - VIDEO + New Ace Frehley Song

New York, NY...August 13, 2009...Les Paul, acclaimed guitar player, entertainer and inventor, passed away today from complications of severe pneumonia at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York, surrounded by family and loved ones. He had been receiving the best available treatment through this final battle and in keeping with his persona, he showed incredible strength, tenacity and courage. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks for the thoughts and prayers from his dear friends and fans. Les Paul was 94. One of the foremost influences on 20th century sound and responsible for the world's most famous guitar, the Les Paul model, Les Paul's prestigious career in music and invention spans from the 1930s to the present. Though he's indisputably one of America's most popular, influential, and accomplished electric guitarists, Les Paul is best known as an early innovator in the development of the solid body guitar. His groundbreaking design would become the template for Gibson's best-selling electric, the Les Paul model, introduced in 1952. Today, countless musical legends still consider Paul's iconic guitar unmatched in sound and prowess. Among Paul's most enduring contributions are those in the technological realm, including ingenious developments in multi-track recording, guitar effects, and the mechanics of sound in general. Born Lester William Polsfuss in Waukesha, Wisconsin on June 9, 1915, Les Paul was already performing publicly as a honky-tonk guitarist by the age of 13. So clear was his calling that Paul dropped out of high school at 17 to play in Sunny Joe Wolverton's Radio Band in St. Louis. As Paul's mentor, Wolverton was the one to christen him with the stage name “Rhubarb Red," a moniker that would follow him to Chicago in 1934. There, Paul became a bona fide radio star, known as both hillbilly picker Rhubarb Red and Django Reinhardt-informed jazz guitarist Les Paul. His first recordings were done in 1936 on an acoustic—alone as Rhubarb Red, as well as backing blues singer Georgia White. The next year he formed his first trio, but by 1938 he'd moved to New York to begin his tenure on national radio with one of the more popular dance orchestras in the country, Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians. Tinkering with electronics and guitar amplification since his youth, Les Paul began constructing his own electric guitar in the late '30s. Unhappy with the first generation of commercially available hollowbodies because of their thin tone, lack of sustain, and feedback problems, Paul opted to build an entirely new structure. “I was interested in proving that a vibration-free top was the way to go," he has said. “I even built a guitar out of a railroad rail to prove it. What I wanted was to amplify pure string vibration, without the resonance of the wood getting involved in the sound." With the good graces of Epiphone president Epi Stathopoulo, Paul used the Epiphone plant and machinery in 1941 to bring his vision to fruition. He affectionately dubbed the guitar “The Log." Les Paul's tireless experiments sometimes proved to be dangerous, and he nearly electrocuted himself in 1940 during a session in the cellar of his Queens apartment. During the next two years of rehabilitation, Les earned his living producing radio music. Forced to put the Pennsylvanians and the rest of his career on hold, Les Paul moved to Hollywood. During World War II, he was drafted into the Army but permitted to stay in California, where he became a regular player for Armed Forces Radio Service. By 1943 he had assembled a trio that regularly performed live, on the radio, and on V-Discs. In 1944 he entered the jazz spotlight—thanks to his dazzling work filling in for Oscar Moore alongside Nat King Cole, Illinois Jacquet, and other superstars —at the first of the prestigious Jazz at the Philharmonic concerts. By his mid-thirties, Paul had successfully combined Reinhardt-inspired jazz playing and the western swing and twang of his Rhubarb Red persona into one distinctive, electrifying style. In the Les Paul Trio he translated the dizzying runs and unusual harmonies found on Jazz at the Philharmonic into a slower, subtler, more commercial approach. His novelty instrumentals were tighter, brasher, and punctuated with effects. Overall, the trademark Les Paul sound was razor-sharp, clean-shaven, and divinely smooth. As small combos eclipsed big bands toward the end of World War II, Les Paul Trio's popularity grew. They cut records for Decca both alone and behind the likes of Helen Forrest, the Andrews Sisters, the Delta Rhythm Boys, Dick Hayes, and, most notably, Bing Crosby. Since 1945, when the crooner brought them into the studio to back him on a few numbers, the Trio had become regular guests on Crosby's hit radio show. The highlight of the session was Paul's first No. 1 hit and million-seller, the gorgeous “It's Been a Long, Long Time." Meanwhile, Paul began to experiment with dubbing live tracks over recorded tracks, also altering the playback speed. This resulted in “Lover (When You're Near Me)," his revolutionary 1947 predecessor to multi-track recording. The hit instrumental featured Les Paul on eight different electric guitar parts, all playing together. In 1948, Paul nearly lost his life to a devastating car crash that shattered his right arm and elbow. Still, he convinced doctors to set his broken arm in the guitar-picking and cradling position. Laid up but undaunted, Paul acquired a first generation Ampex tape recorder from Crosby in 1949, and began his most important multi-tracking adventure, adding a fourth head to the recorder to create sound-on-sound recordings. While tinkering with the machine and its many possibilities, he also came up with tape delay. These tricks, along with another recent Les Paul innovation—close mic-ing vocals—were integrated for the first time on a single recording: the 1950 No. 1 tour de force “How High the Moon." This historic track was performed during a duo with future wife Mary Ford. The couple's prolific string of hits for Capitol Records not only included some of the most popular recordings of the early 1950s, but also wrote the book on contemporary studio production. The dense but crystal clear harmonic layering of guitars and vocals, along with Ford's close mic-ed voice and Paul's guitar effects, produced distinctively contemporary recordings with unprecedented sonic qualities. Through hits, tours, and popular radio shows, Paul and Ford kept one foot in the technological vanguard and the other in the cultural mainstream. All the while, Les Paul continued to pine for the perfect guitar. Though The Log came close, it wasn't quite what he was after. In the early 1950s, Gibson Guitar would cultivate a partnership with Paul that would lead to the creation of the guitar he'd seen only in his dreams. In 1948, Gibson elected to design its first solidbody, and Paul, a self-described “dyed-in-the-wool Gibson man," seemed the right man for the job. Gibson avidly courted the guitar legend, even driving deep into the Pennsylvania mountains to deliver the first model to newlyweds Les Paul and Mary Ford. “Les played it, and his eyes lighted up," then-Gibson President Ted McCarty has recalled. The year was 1950, and Paul had just signed on as the namesake of Gibson's first electric solidbody, with exclusive design privileges. Working closely with Paul, Gibson forged a relationship that would change popular culture forever. The Gibson Les Paul model—the most powerful and respected electric guitar in history—began with the 1952 release of the Les Paul Goldtop. After introducing the original Les Paul Goldtop in 1952, Gibson issued the Black Beauty, the mahogany-topped Les Paul Custom, in 1954. The Les Paul Junior (1954) and Special (1955) were also introduced before the canonical Les Paul Standard hit the market in 1958. With revolutionary humbucker pickups, this sunburst classic has remained unchanged for the half-century since it hit the market. “The world has lost a truly innovative and exceptional human being today. I cannot imagine life without Les Paul. He would walk into a room and put a smile on anyone's face. His musical charm was extraordinary and his techniques unmatched anywhere in the world," said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. “We will dedicate ourselves to preserving Les' legacy to insure that it lives on forever. He touched so many lives throughout his remarkable life and his influence extends around the globe and across every boundary. I have lost a dear, personal friend and mentor, a man who has changed so many of our lives for the better." “I don't think any words can describe the man we know as Les Paul adequately. The English language does not contain words that can pay enough homage to someone like Les. As the “Father of the Electric Guitar", he was not only one of the world's greatest innovators but a legend who created, inspired and contributed to the success of musicians around the world," said Dave Berryman, President of Gibson Guitar. “I have had the privilege to know and work with Les for many, many years and his passing has left a deep personal void. He was simply put – remarkable in every way. As a person, a musician, a friend, an inventor. He will be sorely missed by us all." With the rise of the rock 'n' roll revolution of 1955, Les Paul and Mary Ford's popularity began to wane with younger listeners, though Paul would prove to be a massive influence on younger generation of guitarists. Still, Paul and Ford maintained their iconic presence with their wildly popular television show, which ran from 1953-1960. In 1964, the couple, parents to a son and daughter, divorced. Paul began playing in Japan, and recorded an LP for London Records before poor health forced him to take time off—as much as someone so inspired can take time off. In the 1977, Paul resurfaced with a Grammy-winning Chet Atkins collaboration, Chester and Lester. Then the ailing guitarist, who'd already suffered arthritis and permanent hearing loss, had a heart attack, followed by bypass surgery. Ever stubborn, Les recovered, and returned to live performance in the late 1980s. Until recently Les continued to perform two weekly New York shows with the Les Paul Trio, even releasing the 2005 double-Grammy winner Les Paul & Friends: American Made World Played, featuring collaborations with a veritable who's who of the electric guitar, including dozens of illustrious fans like Keith Richards, Buddy Guy, Billy Gibbons, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and Joe Perry. In 2008, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame paid tribute to Les Paul in a week-long celebration of his life which culminated with a live performance by Les himself. Les Paul has since become the only individual to share membership into the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the National Inventors Hall of Fame, and the National Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Les is survived by his three sons Lester (Rus) G. Paul, Gene W. Paul and Robert (Bobby) R. Paul, his daughter Colleen Wess, son-in-law Gary Wess, long time friend Arlene Palmer, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren. A private Funeral service will be held in New York. A service in Waukesha, WI will be announced at a later date. Details will follow and will be announced for all services. Memorial tributes for the public will be announced at a future date. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Les Paul Foundation, 236 West 30th Street, 7th Floor, New York, New York 10001. Slash said, "Les Paul was a shining example of how full one's life can be, he was so vibrant and full of positive energy. I'm honored and humbled to have known and played with him over the years, he was an exceptionally brilliant man." Joe Satriani said, "Les Paul set a standard for musicianship and innovation that remains unsurpassed. He was the original guitar hero, and the kindest of souls. Last October I joined him onstage at The Iridium club in NYC, and he was still shredding. He was and still is an inspiration to us all." Keb' Mo' said, “He's a guy who played right up to the end, that's what we all want to do! With his brilliant playing and invention of multi track recording, Les Paul changed the face of music history." Bootsy Collins said, "Yes, it is very painful when you lose a man, his music, and his everyday presence here on this planet called earth. For us musicians that knew the bar that this man Mr. Les Paul set, not only for guitar players but for music in general, especially rock music, the world will never be the same. His famous Gibson Les Paul brand Guitar's are still to this day the number one hottest rock guitar on the market. I got the opportunity in 1991 to do a session with Mr. Paul when I was with Dee-Lite, we did a song called: "A little More of Les". yes, one of my corky titles of course, but It was such an inspiration to be in the presence of such greatness, he will be sadly missed by many. We love you Les!" Joan Jett said, "I, and everyone at Blackheart Records, mourn the passing of our dear friend, Les Paul. He was a genius inventor, musical innovator, and a wonderful person. Without the advances he pioneered, the recording sciences and the electric guitar would have been left years behind. I will miss him so much." Ace Frehley said, "The music industry has lost a giant! I'm very saddened by the news of Les Paul's passing. I was lucky enough to have known Les as a friend, and admired him as a musician and innovator. He forever changed the way we listen to music." Butch Walker said, "Les Paul... I will always owe you.. bigtime..." Billy Gibbons said, "Les Paul brought six strings to electricity and electricity to six strings. Les Paul was an innovator, a groundbreaker, a risk taker, a mentor and a friend. Try to imagine what we'd be doing if he hadn't come along and changed the world. There will always be more Les to come. That's certified." Keith Urban said, “I have a mix of emotions today. On one hand, I am deeply saddened at Les Paul’s passing, and on the other a feeling of incredible gratitude and awe for his unquantifiable contribution to the world of music. His name adorns so many of the creations that I communicate through every night out here on the road...He is also very present every time I set foot in the studio and am able to lay multiple tracks as I record, when I use echo, etc., the list of his inventions, in addition to his famous signature model Gibson, are extraordinary. I also feel that even in his nineties, the fact he was still playing every Monday night in New York is perhaps the most beautiful and inspiring achievement of all. As Vince Gill would say, “Go rest high on that mountain Les...cause son, your work on earth is done.” Joe Perry said, "As a guitarist and a fan of music in general, I know the amazing contributions Les Paul made in his lifetime to the art of making music. I think if the general public knew how much of that influence is heard every day in the music that they listen to, they would be amazed. He was a true genius. The few times that I had met him, he made me feel like I had known him forever. He was always sharp, ready to rock and he was always talking about his next gig. Knowing that he is not walking the earth anymore is sad and I have lost a friend. But every time I pick up a guitar I’ll know that his spirit is alive and well right next to me. " Derek Trucks said, "Les Paul played until the day he died. I admire that... That's the way you live a life." On his many achievements Derek Trucks said, "You could take any one of the many things he did and it would have been enough for most people. Inventing multi-tracking and then the 1st great solid body electric guitar. The amount of things he pulled off is pretty astounding." Mick Jones said, “As a child I was introduced to the sound of Les Paul through my parent's record collection. It was a spellbinding moment when I first heard ‘How High The Moon’ featuring Mary Ford. His innovation and recording techniques contributed greatly to the creation of Rock music.” Rickey Medlocke said, "I'm so thankful that this guy was such an incredible genius for developing such a great guitar. I am a 3rd generation Gibson user and I always will be. God bless Les Paul." Tad Kubler said, "There are very few human beings in history that touched so many people the way Les Paul did. He shared his gifts with everyone and brought people together with his brilliance and devotion to music and the art of sound. It was a privilege to have met him. He will be incredibly missed. But our blessing is to know his spirit and soul will live for eternity in music everywhere." Wes Scantlon said, "Les and I have the same birthday – it is an honor to have been born on the same day as such a genius guitarist, innovator and human being" Neil Portnow (President/CEO of The Recording Academy®) said, "Three-time GRAMMY® winner Les Paul was a musical mastermind whose innovations in electric guitar and recorded music are unparalleled. A 1983 Trustees Award recipient and a 2001 Technical GRAMMY Award recipient, his career and contributions to popular music will forever be celebrated, and will continue to influence future generations of musicians. His magnetic charm and sunny disposition matched his incredible skill set, and he will always be remembered with great fondness, humility, and respect. The music industry has lost a true innovator and legend." Terry Stewart (President of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum) said, "Without Les Paul, we would not have rock and roll as we know it," said Terry Stewart, president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. “His inventions created the infrastructure for the music and his playing style will ripple through generations. He was truly an architect of rock and roll." Elliott Easton said, "I am deeply saddened by the passing of Les Paul. It is simply impossible to overstate the impact he has had on the modern world and our culture. There are those that refer to Les as "the Thomas Edison of Music Technology". To me that is inadequate. Thomas Edison never invented a device that could make the world fall in love with you. There isn't a person working in the music industry today that doesn't benefit in some way from Les' pioneering work." Brian Wilson said, "Les Paul and Mary Ford were among my most favorite musicians in the 50's. He was the first guy to do multi guitar multi track recording and that turned me on to guitars and stacking vocals for our records." Johnny A. said, "I am personally very saddened by the passing of Mr. Les Paul. As well as being such an iconic figure in the world of music, as a player and inventor, Les was truly a gentleman with an unbeatable sense of humor. It has been my honor to have known and played with him. His spirit will surely be missed." Dave Navarro, "Les is single handedly responsible for the direction and evolution of the modern rock movement. Period. If you are a fan of modern music, you owe Les Paul an enormous THANK YOU!" Don Miggs said, "I used to promise myself that every trip back home to NY should be capped off with seeing Les perform. I knew he wasn't going to be around forever and seeing him was a "must-do." Sadly, I never made good on my promise but one night I was walking into a deli and who do I see? Yup. My palms went sweaty, my tongue felt thick and I got a pit in my stomach, but I stopped him with a grunt of some sort. He looked me square in eye like "don't miss this moment," and I gulped and said, "It's because of you I can put food on my family's table, thank you," and he said, "You've done that for yourself, son, but thank you." And he was gone. Ah, Les, thank you thank you." Randy Bachman said, "I am deeply touched by the passing of Les Paul who I first met in 1959. As a guitarist, composer, electronic innovator and inventor he was beyong genius and there was none other like him. He was a true musical gift from God to the world and spent his life honoring that gift. I proudly play my Les Paul guitars every night on stage and never forget the moments we shared." Gary Rossington said, "I am very saddened to hear about the passing of Les Paul, he was an amazing guitarist. I play a Les Paul guitar every night and it's the best sounding guitar ever made. I have a framed t-shirt on my wall, signed by Les Paul that I admire when I'm at home, Les was the best!"

Thursday, August 13, 2009 11:24 AM

New Ace Frehley Song Posted Online

A brand new track from Ace Frehley’sYouTube. Titled “Outer Space,” the riff-laden song is the first single from Anomaly, which is scheduled for release September 15. forthcoming album has surfaced on Anomaly marks the first new studio disc from the original Kiss guitarist in nearly 20 years. In addition to “Outer Space,” tracks on the album include a cover of the 1975 Sweet classic “Fox on the Run,” and the wah-fueled “Genghis Khan,” which features backing vocals from Meat Loaf’s daughter Pearl Aday. Later this year Frehley will help Gibson launch the second Ace Frehley Signature Les Paul. The guitarist’s first signature Gibson guitar, released in 1997, remains one of the best-selling signature models of all time. Check out a video for “Outer Space”: