Joe Walsh has named Les Paul as one of his greatest inspirations, likening the legendary luthier and guitarist to a mad scientist. While Walsh recorded “Hotel California” using a Fender Telecaster, he is frequently seen playing a Les Paul.
Interestingly, it was Walsh who encouraged Jimmy Page to purchase his iconic 1959 Les Paul, the very guitar that significantly shaped Led Zeppelin’s sound.
Despite Walsh’s unique and humorous playing style being quite different from the jazz roots of Paul’s music, he finds profound inspiration in Paul beyond just his guitar skills. “He was one of the coolest people on the planet,” Walsh told Rolling Stone in 2017. “I had the chance to hang out with him, and he was like this mad scientist that played guitar.”
What truly made Les Paul a hero to Walsh?
“He was in a car accident,” Walsh recounted. “Doctors told him, ‘You’ll never play guitar again’ because he broke his arm in about four different places. He sat down, started playing, and said, ‘All right, set my arm like this. Put the cast on now.’ And he played great.”
Walsh, who co-wrote one of the most famous guitar solos in history, has drawn strength from Paul’s resilience, identifying him as his ultimate hero.
The incident that solidified Paul’s legendary status occurred in January 1948, when he and his musical partner (and future wife) Mary Ford were at the peak of their fame. Due to illness, Paul was unable to drive, so Ford was behind the wheel when their car veered off a railroad overpass, plummeting 20 feet into a ravine.
Paul sustained severe injuries, shattering his right arm and elbow. The damage was so extensive that doctors considered amputation. However, Paul pleaded with them to save his arm, and after being flown to Los Angeles, he insisted that his arm be set at a 90-degree angle, enabling him to continue playing. Remarkably, Paul went on to release several top-10 singles with Ford.
Three years later, Gibson began collaborating with him on his electric guitar design, having first presented his concept back in 1941.
Interestingly, a recently surfaced interview revealed that the Les Paul guitar almost became a Fender product. Long before Gibson embraced Paul’s electric guitar vision, Leo Fender had attempted to recruit him. The success of Fender’s Esquire and Broadcaster guitars eventually prompted Gibson to change its stance.
In the end, Paul remarked, “I gave Gibson all my secrets,” leading to the creation of the Les Paul Recording guitar—the first instrument developed using those insights. While it may not be the most celebrated electric guitar, it remained a trusted companion for Les Paul throughout his life, embodying a rich and fascinating history.
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