Music Industry Luminaries, Artists, Media and Friends Gather at the Les Paul Recording Studio to Celebrate SLASH’s Innovation, Creativity, and Enduring Impact on Music
Rock icon Slash received the 2026 Les Paul Spirit Award October 5, 2026 at a Hollywood “Who’s Who” invite only crowd at The Les Paul Recording Studio at United Recording Studios in Hollywood. Presented by the Les Paul Foundation in partnership with Gibson Gives, the philanthropic arm of Gibson, the private event brought together a room filled with music-industry luminaries, artists, media, friends, and special guests to honor Slash’s creative legacy, consistent musicianship and enduring influence on generations of artists and fans.
The evening centered on the presentation of the Les Paul Spirit Award, recognizing Slash as an artist who embodies Les Paul’s pioneering spirit through innovation, creativity, technology, and music. The award itself was fashioned from wood sourced from Les Paul’s New Jersey recording studio. Slash himself was humble and self-effacing, lavishing praise and honor onto Les Paul even more than himself.
The celebration included a reception and a tour of the working historic Les Paul Recording Studio, preserved by The Les Paul Foundation. The studio includes his early analog tape recorders, recording console, and many of his guitars and microphones to form a studio that still utilizes these historic operable machines. Guests got a closer look at the incredible legacy of Les Paul and the enduring impact of his work on modern music and recording.
Slash spoke about his and Les Paul’s special friendship during Les Paul’s lifetime and how they often played music together. That personal connection added depth and emotion to the evening as guests celebrated not only two of the most recognizable guitarists in music history, but also two artists united by an endless curiosity, an instinct for innovation and a lifelong commitment to expanding the expressive possibilities of the electric guitar.
Slash mentioned, “Les was so much more than a great guitarist and innovator. He was an actual inventor who changed the instrument itself, built groundbreaking recording equipment, and completely reimagined how artists could record music. I feel incredibly lucky that I got to know him, hang out with him, and play music with him. I cherish the relationship we had, and receiving an award that carries his name and spirit is a tremendous honor.”
“We are honored to present the Les Paul Spirit Award to Slash this year. He and Les shared a special friendship and often jammed together when they could,” said Michael Braunstein, Executive Director of the Les Paul Foundation. “Not only does Slash exemplify the creativity and curiosity Les had during his life, but he is also an extraordinary talent and a wonderful supporter of the Les Paul Foundation. If Les were still alive today, Slash and he would be jamming onstage together somewhere regularly.”
The annual Les Paul Spirit Award is presented to an individual who exemplifies the spirit of the late Les Paul through innovation, engineering, technology, and music. The physical award presented to Slash was created from actual hand-carved acoustic boards that Les Paul built and used in his home recording studio. Because each award is fashioned from authentic studio materials personally created by Les Paul, no two Les Paul Spirit Awards are exactly alike. Some previous recipients of the Les Paul Spirit Award include Bob Weir, Nile Rodgers, the Edge, Peter Frampton, and Steve Miller. Slash now joins that elite group of artists whose creativity, originality, and contributions to music reflect the trailblazing spirit that defined Les Paul’s life and career.
A GRAMMY Award-winning guitarist, songwriter, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Slash has helped define generations of rock music through his work with Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver, Slash’s Snakepit, Slash Ft. Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators, and Slash’s Blues Ball Band. With more than 100 million albums sold worldwide, he has created some of the most memorable guitar performances in rock history.
Prior to the award presentation, select members of the media were invited inside the Les Paul Recording Studio for an exclusive advance listening session featuring four songs from Slash Ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators’ forthcoming album, FLYING BLIND. Immaculately performed and recorded in Florida, the songs may be some of Slash’s finest work. Guests heard “Good Time Girl,” “One of Your Kind,” “Flying Blind,” and “Looking for a Miracle,” offering an early glimpse at the Slash’s next creative chapter.
Set for release on February 26, 2027, via Gibson Records, FLYING BLIND was recorded largely live with producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette in what may be some of Slash’s finest work. The preview reinforced that Slash continues to create music with the same passion that has defined his long career.
The FLYING BLIND WORLD TOUR 2027 will take Slash Ft. Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators across Latin America, North America, the United Kingdom, and Europe, with stops at iconic venues including The Wiltern, Beacon Theatre, and Ryman Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now: home.slashonline.com/tour.
