Grammy Winner Jeff Beck Pays Tribute to Les Paul
NEW YORK (CBSDFW.COM) - Jeff Beck paid tribute to Les Paul last summer, celebrating what would have been the pioneering guitarist's 95th birthday by playing his friend and mentor's music, along with classic tunes from the era, in the same Times Square nightclub that Paul played every Monday for 14 years before his death in August 2009.
Sponsored by Gibson Guitar and billed as "A Celebration of Les Paul," Beck was joined by The Imelda May Band at the Iridium Jazz Club in June 2010. Other guest performers joining Beck onstage included Brian Setzer, Gary "U.S." Bonds, and Trombone Shorty.
"Les was my inspiration," says Beck. "For years I had always wanted to do something for Les to show him how much I respected and admired what he had done. Les used to play every week at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City, so for me it was the obvious and fitting place for a salute to him."
Later this year Beck will take the "Rock 'n' Roll Party" on the road for a short U.S. tour. Beck will once again be backed by The Imelda May Band. Beck will play at the Verizon Theater in Grand Prairie on April 4, 2011.
Earlier this month, Beck's latest album Emotion & Commotion was nominated for five Grammy awards. This marks the most nominations ever for Beck in a single year and makes him the most nominated artist in the Rock field in addition to being the most nominated British artist for this year's awards. Beck has previously won five Grammys.
