Richie's Tribute to Les Paul

(Thanks, Mys, for pointing me at this).

Richie sat with Rolling Stone magazine (figuratively, I'm sure) and talked a little bit about the Legend that was Les Paul. The entire article is well worth the read, especially if you have fondness for guitars.

I grew up with them all around me, and appreciate the beautiful music these instruments can make. Les Paul was a household name where I grew up, before I knew who Satriani, Eddie VanHalen, and Sambora even were.

Here's my favorite excerpt from the article:

“A mutual friend of mine invited him over my house. It was my birthday — it was 1988. I was making a record with the band, and we were [planning] a double album. For guitar players, it’s quite arduous — especially if you’re writing the songs and also doing all the guitar parts. So the first time I met him, he comes over my house — we’re in the middle of a party — and I’m like, ‘What the hell are you doing here?!’ It was unbelievable. And he hands me this guitar, and it’s this beautiful white Les Paul, with gold pickups that he wound himself. He said, ‘I put these together especially for you. I heard you were having some problems because you have a lot of stuff to do. Son, here’s a sword — go cut the shit.’ ”

I love that. "Go cut the shit".

Les, you are missed.

Love and respect,
Hath

Dark Lust ~ Richie's Birthday Story

The next chapter of Dark Lust has been posted.

~ Hath

Remembering Les Paul

Thought it was fitting to pull this out again...






Les Paul played with and made instruments for a who's-who of top axemen, including Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Bruce Springsteen, Jeff Beck, Joe Satriani, Eddie Van Halen, Paul McCartney, Richie Sambora, Keith Urban, Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons and Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong, along the way racking up Grammys and a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Sambora hailed him as "the father of the electric guitar [and] to me he's just a dear, dear friend."

Les Paul dies at age 94

As reported by the Associated Press

Les Paul, the guitarist and inventor who changed the course of music with the electric guitar and multitrack recording and had a string of hits, many with wife Mary Ford, died on Thursday. He was 94.

According to Gibson Guitar, Paul died of complications from pneumonia at White Plains Hospital. His family and friends were by his side.

As an inventor, Paul helped bring about the rise of rock 'n' roll and multitrack recording, which enables artists to record different instruments at different times, sing harmony with themselves, and then carefully balance the "tracks" in the finished recording.

Artists from Clapton to Sambora to Slash have at least one LP in their collections. Hell, non-pro guitarists I know (and am related to) would give their eye teeth for a vintage LP.

Our thoughts are with Les' family today; not only his blood family, but the extended family he grew through his guitars.

~ Hath

Online was updated...

The next chapter of Online, called Arena Bowl Weekend: Saturday, has been posted.

Hope you enjoy it!

~ Hath

More Training Camp Pix

Thanks to Devottee B for sharing these :)

Happy Anniversary!

The Moscow Peace Festival was 20 years ago today. Here are some YT goodies to help us remember.....















Rips are up in my SkyDrive (except the Blood on Blood and Wanted vids, which were too big *pout*).



I can't stop watching Richie. Gorgeous long-haired, be-hatted Richie. Work that talkbox, baby...

~ Hath

Of all the days...

... not to have the afternoon off to go to the Patriots' practice!

Music legend and longtime Bill Belichick friend Jon Bon Jovi was on the practice field for the afternoon work-out. He chatted with Patriots owner Robert Kraft for quite a while during the session. Bon Jovi’s music was played over the loud speakers during pre-practice stretching.

*sigh*

Jon Bon was about 15 minutes from my house.



Ah well, next weekend, I'll return the favor :)

~ Hath

John Shanks leaks....something

So JoviLand is all abuzz at Shanks' tweet (typos and all):

yes.we werent born to follow,thats the name of the bonjovi..smash!!!!

It's been said on different blogs that this is the name of the new record. I haven't seen anything on BJ.COM or BSWJBJ (not that they have things posted BEFORE the general public) so I don't take it as "law", so I feel free to bash the shit out of that tweet.

"smash" can be interpreted a couple ways, no?

On the one hand, it could be the name of the record, which I have to say, is a stupid-ass record title. Sorry, can't possibly drink the KoolAid on this one. I read Shanks' Tweet and immediately had Bruce's "Born to Run" in my head. So I can't be the only one (I like Bruce, but am not a huge fan...sorry). Jovi is REALLY going to tie themselves to the Other Jersey Music Legend? Really? Too pathetic.

Besides, "We Weren't Born To Follow" screams of an insecure band who's been accused of following trends to stay popular. The boys can be accused of many things, but cannot be accused of is trying to keep up with the fads.

"No, really, we're leaders! We weren't born to follow! We're not trying to be something we're not.."

WHINE

WHINE

WHINE

ugh.

On the other hand, "smash" could be referring to the best song on the record, which still has an idiotic title, but at least the tour name wouldn't suck.

Come on.

The "Born to Lead" tour? Too Bruce.

The "Not a follower" tour? Too Jonestown.

God, please let Shanks be pulling our collective leg.

Please.

~ Hath