AD COPY: Journey through the career of musical giant, milestone guitarist, and recording innovator Les Paul, and marvel at the world of cutting-edge guitar design! This book, along with its companion book The Modern Era of the Les Paul Legacy 1968-2007 (Fall 2008) emerged out of author Robb Lawrence's years of research, interviews, extensive vintage archives (including original Les Paul/Mary Ford articles, press photos, music and recordings), and gorgeous original photography. It's all here: the factory pictures, the designers, the electronics; the first experimtela "Log" and "Clunker" guitars, stories of the various Goldtops, the humbucking pickup evolution, and over 80 pages dedicated to the heralded '50s "Sunburst" Standard. Exclusive interviews with Les Paul, as well as Michael Bloomfield and Jeff Beck. A beautiful and insightful book on a legendary inventor, musician and his partnership with Gibson to make the world's most-cherished electric guitar....

Following the release of The Early Years..., which Vintage Guitar magazine called "carefully crafted ... lavishly illustrated," this full-color book continues the amazing journey of an American icon's recording career and the coveted instruments that bear his name. Beginning with the collectible late '60s models, The Modern Les Paul Legacy moves on to the '70s and '80s special-themed instruments-showing all popular artist models, like Jimmy Page, Joe Perry, and Slash, in living color. And the "holy grail" '59 Sunburst and the jaw-dropping Custom Shop creations of the '90s receive their due as achievements that have never, to this day, been surpassed. The book also covers Les Paul's resurgence-the comeback Grammy Award-winning album with Chet Atkins, the start of a weekly gig in a New York City jazz club (still on!), and the reconnection with the Gibson family. His lifetime achievement awards keep piling up, and an all-star party seems to emerge every time he hits another birthday milestone. Bringing this great innovator's story up to date, and featuring previously unpublished material from photojournalist Robb Lawrence, The Modern Les Paul Legacy is a must-have for music fans....