For Rufus

...for those whom may not know it already, most of - if not everything - we know electrified/recorded music as today can be directly attributed to something Les Paul either did or invented. On top of the man being one WICKED guitar player.

Les Paul's single biggest contribution to my own life was to design my single favorite electric guitar - the one that bears his name. I own three of them, my vintage 1978 "Black Beauty" Les Paul Custom being my

1st guitar, and my favorite amongst the three of them, and the other six "lesser" electric axes in my collection. Nothing compares to an original spec Gibson Les Paul.

The first thing of any substantial value I ever bought with money I'd earned on a paying job was my '78 Les Paul Custom...which I still play, and will always be my #1.

Rest in peace, Les...