Les Paul made no secret of the fact that he loved to jam. He would welcome all kinds of players up onstage with him. Slash, B.B. King, Eddie Van Halen, Brian Setzer, David Gilmour… The list goes on. They have all shared the stage with the man.
Besides putting his name to one of the most-famous electric guitars of all time, he was a heckuva player. He also had a heckuva sense of humor, as Australian acoustic guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel learned when he was first invited to sit in with the Les Paul band during his residency at the Iridium, in New York. You would find Les Paul in there every Monday night. He played there weekly from 1995 until his dead in 2009.
The gig was simple, a two-hander. The first night was easy. “I take a little solo then throw it back to him then I play one more tune, like Caravan or something like that, and then I bow and go off,” says Emmanuel, in a recent radio interview with Q104.3. “I didn’t make anything of it, and I was being very low-key.”
“When he finished the first show, I was sitting in the dressing room, and he came straight in like a rabid dog and he said, ‘I know what you’re doing!’ He said, ‘You think I’m old. Don’t you ever hold back onstage again. When I call you out there, you get up there! You give it hell. You give it all you’ve got!’” says Emmanuel.
He calls me up, I come running out there, I crank my amp up, and I went straight into Classical Gas. The audience erupted
Naturally, he was taken aback. But also, he’s also no shrinking violet. Challenge accepted. “I looked him right in the eye,” says Emmanuel, “and I said, ‘Okay, Les, I will.’ Just like that.”
He would not make the same mistake twice. On night two, Emmanuel was taking no prisoners.
“He said,’You think I’m old. Don’t you ever hold back onstage again”: Tommy Emmanuel on the Time Les Paul Baited Him Into Bringing His A-Game to a Jam
The Legendary Encounter: Tommy Emmanuel Meets Les Paul
Tommy Emmanuel, one of the most celebrated acoustic guitar virtuosos, shares an unforgettable story involving legendary guitarist and inventor Les Paul. During an intimate jam session, the late Les Paul approached Tommy with a subtle yet profound challenge that pushed him to the limits of his skill and artistry. The memorable remark, “You think I’m old. Don’t you ever hold back onstage again,” was a game-changer for Tommy, igniting a fire to bring his absolute best to the stage.
Setting the Scene: A Jam session Like No Other
Jam sessions among guitar masters are often relaxed but intensely creative opportunities to exchange musical ideas. This particular session was no exception, but the presence of Les Paul elevated the stakes. Known for his pioneering work in electric guitar and recording technology, Les was also a formidable musician with an indomitable spirit. When Tommy Emmanuel played in his company, the atmosphere was electric.
Key Elements of the encounter
- Mutual respect: Despite their generational gap, Tommy and Les shared immense respect for each other’s craft.
- Pleasant challenge: Les’s remark was less a criticism and more a bait encouraging Tommy to play without reservation.
- Musical impact: The session pushed Tommy beyond his comfort zone, producing some of his most inspired playing.
Why Les Paul’s Challenge matters to Aspiring Musicians
Les Paul’s words to Tommy resonate beyond just their story-they serve as a powerful lesson to all musicians and performers:
- Never underestimate your audience or peers. Always bring your best to the stage, no matter the venue or company.
- Embrace challenges. Friendly competition and high expectations often inspire growth and breakthrough performances.
- respect the craft, regardless of age or experience. Greatness is timeless, and attitude shapes achievements.
Tommy Emmanuel’s Response: Elevating His Performance
after les Paul’s pointed remark, Tommy Emmanuel committed himself to delivering a performance worthy of the legendary guitarist’s presence.Here’s how this mindset shift influenced his approach:
- Focus: Tommy played with heightened concentration, treating every note as vital.
- Technical mastery: He pushed his technique using advanced fingerstyle and percussive guitar skills to impress and inspire.
- Emotional expression: Tommy channeled the challenge into conveying deep feeling and authenticity through music.
Lessons from the Tommy Emmanuel and Les Paul Jam for Guitarists
Capturing the essence of this iconic exchange can help guitar players cultivate a professional and passionate approach:
Practical Tips for Bringing Your A-Game
- Warm up and tune thoroughly: Consistent readiness establishes a foundation for confident playing.
- Set goals for each performance: Enter every session with purpose, whether technical mastery or emotional connection.
- Practice improvisation: Jam sessions demand adaptability-work on dynamic phrasing and spontaneous creativity.
- Accept constructive challenges: use advice or critiques as fuel to improve, rather than discouragement.
Case Study: The Impact of Les Paul’s Words on Tommy’s Career
tommy Emmanuel credits this moment with Les Paul as a pivotal turning point that reaffirmed his dedication to excellence.
| Aspect | Impact on Tommy Emmanuel |
|---|---|
| On-Stage Confidence | Boosted significantly; no more holding back during performances |
| Musical Creativity | Expanded through embracing risk and challenge |
| Professional drive | Increased motivation to push boundaries consistently |
| Legacy connection | Strengthened bond with guitar legends and the music community |
Firsthand Experience: Tommy Emmanuel’s Reflection
Tommy has frequently enough recounted this story in interviews, highlighting how Les Paul’s words cut through ego and reminded him why music is about passion, connection, and relentless pursuit of mastery. The encounter is a testament to:
- the influence of mentors in shaping artistic identity.
- The value of humility and openness to feedback.
- The enduring spirit of innovation and courage in music.
How This Story inspires Musicians Worldwide
This anecdote is shared among guitarists and music lovers as a beacon for artistic authenticity and resilience. It encourages:
- Musicians of all ages to value every performance as an opportunity to shine.
- Artists to embrace moments of challenge as stepping stones to greatness.
- Fans to appreciate the human stories behind musical legends.
“He calls me up, I come running out there, I crank my amp up, and I went straight into Classical Gas,” recalls Emmanuel. “The audience erupted at the end, jumped to their feet. They were screaming. Deafening. And just going wild.”
Something tells us this is what the cunning Les Paul had been planning all along. Emmanuel says he walked into the punchline: “When they finally calmed down, Les gets on the mic and says, ‘Ah! So he waits till I’m old to come and beat me up!”
Emmanuel was a longtime friend of Les Paul and first played with him during his 90th birthday bash at Carnegie Hall. He insists that the guitar icon only got better in his 90s.
“In that last year of his life, I said to him one night, ‘Les, I don’t know, but I swear, you’re playing better than you were last year,’” said Emmanuel, speaking to Rick Beato.
In his later years, the notes didn’t come just as easy, but Emmanuel says there was no stopping him. He adapted his style.
“The funny thing is, after hanging around with Les Paul those few years before he passed away, watching him deal with the pain in his hands, and watching him playing melody, using four fingers to get one note… that’s dedication.”
