The Les Paul Foundation has just created a brand new program to honor musicians who exemplify the spirit of guitar innovator Les Paul, and the first-ever award will be given to none other than Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir. Les Paul famously created his own brand of guitars and performed for countless years, and the Les Paul Spirit Award was just created in his honor to recognize artists who push the boundaries in engineering, technology, and music.
Weir, who currently plays guitar with Dead & Company and operates TRI Studios, is a fitting choice for the award. Few bands are as innovative as the Grateful Dead. The award will be presented to Weir at this year’s Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.
“I cannot think of anyone more fitting to be honored with the first annual Les Paul Spirit Award than Bob Weir. Not only is he an extraordinary talent who has given us an amazing array of legendary music, but he is an innovator who understands music, technologies and the spirit of Les Paul,” said Michael Braunstein, executive director of the Les Paul Foundation. “If Les were still alive today, I have absolutely no doubt that he and Bob would be experimenting together at TRI Studios or at Les’ house and the results would be extraordinary.”
Congrats Bobby! Dead & Company’s summer tour begins this Friday, June 10th, in North Carolina.