The latest to add his thoughts...
Andrew Almond
11:21 14th August 2009

Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry is the latest musician to praise the influence of Les Paul in the wake of the late innovator's death from pneumonia yesterday.

A statement from Perry, who like so many others, was a player of the Les Paul, read:

"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."

Perry's tribute follows those of other notable Les Paul players such as Slash, The Edge and Tom Morello.

Music Legends playing Gibson Les Paul guitars:

  • Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page and his favourite Les Paul guitar in 1975.

  • Oasis' Noel Gallagher at the Odyssey Arena, Northern Ireland in October 2008

  • Slash and his beloved Les Paul, performing with Velvet Revolver at London's Brixton Academy – March 2008

  • KISS' Tommy Thayer playing a Les Paul in Milan, Italy in 2008

  • A scene from the 1975 movie 'Tommy' with John Entwistle, Eric Clapton and Pete Townshend all playing Les Pauls

  • Graham Coxon with Les Paul at London's Hyde Park last month

  • Neil Young and his trusty Les Paul guitar

  • Joan Jett with friend Les Paul at a charity event in New York in May 2008.

  • The $2,169 Gibson guitar Green Day's Bille Joe Armstrong had designed by Les Paul Jr, based on the specifications of the 1950s vintage Gibson Les Paul.

  • Interpol's Paul Banks and his custom black Les Paul guitar

  • The legend himself Les Paul with one of his equally legendary signature guitars (Photo: Gene Martin)

  • ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons with an array of Gibson Pearly Gates Les Pauls Standards.

  • William DuVall from Alice In Chains striking a pose with his Les Paul guitar (Photo: Gibson)

  • The Edge from U2 and one of his Les Paul guitars from his arsenal

  • Tom Jones signing a Gibson Les Paul guitar for charity

  • Country star and Nicole Kidman's other half Keith Urban striking a pose with his Gibson Les Paul

  • Lenny Kravitz with Gibson Les Paul

  • Blues singer Joe Bonamassa lost in the moment with his Gibson Les Paul

  • Jeff Beck with his signature OXBlood Les Paul Guitars

  • Slash with Les Paul himself in 2007

  • Stereophonics singer and Wayne Rooney's best mate Kelly Jones with Gibson Les Paul


Photo: Gibson / WENN.com