By Michael Stern, Music Connection | 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.
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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.
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Read the full article here:
https://www.musicconnection.com/slash-honored-with-the-2026-les-paul-spirit-award-during-intimate-hollywood-celebration/
Photo: Slash / Miles Kennedy Tour poster | From Slash’s Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=122301124424036473&set=a.122123433986036473
