We always had Les Paul and Mary Ford records in the house when I was growing up in the 1950's, but I never really thought he was a real-life person that you could actually meet. However, my wife and I travelled from the UK to see him at the Iridium in the week of his 80th birthday. A wonderful evening - we enjoyed the stories and memories almost as much as the music. After the show, we got to speak to him for a while, and there is now a nice signed print of some classic LP Gibsons on my wall.

Huge technical advances, great music, and the affectionate memories of so many - not a bad legacy to leave behind.