Jazz players were amongst the first to adopt the Les Paul, attracted by its sonic versatility, sleek curves and a solid body that ensured feedback resistance and more sustain than traditional archtop hollowbodies. Keith Richards was probably the first high profile rock musician to play a Les Paul, but it was Eric Clapton's use of a 1960 Burst on the Bluesbreakers' legendary 1966 'Beano' album that changed the fortunes of the then-discontinued instrument.
Les Paul lovers over the decades include Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Billy Gibbons and Slash. Despite numerous variations on the theme, it's a fitting testament to the original design that today's Gibson Les Paul Standard remains little changed from its inception.
