So in October, 2005, Eric Slick sat behind the drums and performed for Les Paul in honor of his 90th birthday. Les had a smile plastered to his face the entire time - he was really tickled because the band played a few of his most famous songs. Here's a photo from that day (Eric still had his shoulder length hair) and my accompanying blogpost, which includes the very first photograph of Julie Slick and Adrian Belew when Julie was "just a fan" and a poignant photo of Jack Bruce with Julie's significant other, Matt. Oh yeah, John Mayer was there, too.
That night, Eric and Julie would meet Adrian Belew for the first time. Adrian was performing at the Roseland Ballroom that night in further celebration of Les' birthday, and Julie and Eric were performing with the School of Rock Hall of Famers (all-stars who had graduated the program). Eric and Julie would later play with Adrian in March of 2006 at the New York Knitting Factory as Hall of Famers again, and it was there that Adrian found his band, the trio that has now toured four continents in three years.
Tomorrow night, Eric takes the stage in Bad Doberan, East Germany at Zappanale, where he will perform with Project Object and Frank Zappa alumni Napoleon Murphy Brock, Ike Willis, Denny Walley, Robert (Bobby) Martin, and Don Preston. One of the songs he's going to be playing, with Robert Martin on vocals, is Whipping Post, and yeah, Duane Allman played a Les Paul. So in honor of that, and in memory of the late, great Lester William Polsfuss, a/k/a Les Paul, who flew away today, I give you the Allman Brothers, 1972, Live at the Filmore...Whipping Post:
I can't resist. Here's the Frank Zappa version, with Robert Martin on vocals. Have I mentioned what a lucky bastard my son is? Here's hoping someone posts a You Tube in a couple of days of that one.
It was a pleasure meeting Les Paul. He was brilliant, charming, and he mesmerized us when he spoke. I will never forget that day, ever. And he autographed the pickguard of our vintage Les Paul. Maybe tomorrow I'll post a photo.
Later,
xo
R.I.P. Les!
ReplyDeleteWe were all blessed by his presence on this earth. He will be deeply missed but his spirit will live on.
Very cool TABB Whipping Post from back in the day. Thanks for posting that little gem too.
There was nothing better than a gold top Les Paul. I never had one but my best friend did and I had the joy of playing that magical instrument.
Peace,
Mike
haha "the pickguard of our vintage Les Paul" *looks around for Gary*
ReplyDeleteSo weird! On the train to Zappanale (13 august!) I was actually reading some article on Les Paul's career. Since the article was quite old, I stopped a minute to wonder what mr. Paul would be doing now. I came back from Bad Doberan yesterday, and by checking your blog I just found out he died last week, on the same day I read the article. Strange. Anyhow, R.I.P. Les.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of the Zappanale: this was the best one so far. Bobby Martin was soooo good, and Whipping Post blew us all away. So did The Enema Bandit, which Martin performed together with Mats&Morgan. P/O was at their very best (even topping the Zappanale-show they did in 2007, which was my favourite Zappa-concert so far). Gong was amazing. And I never saw a band having more fun on stage than the Grande Mothers. And that's just my top 3 of last weekend.