Story by Jordan West
Photo by Ron Lyon
Guns N’ Roses Guitarist Slash was presented with the Les Paul Spirit Award on October 5 (2026) at the Les Paul Recording Studio inside Universal Master Recordings in Hollywood.
Presented by the Les Paul Foundation in partnership with Gibson Gives, the Les Paul Spirit Award recognizes an individual who exemplifies Les Paul’s pioneering spirit through innovation, creativity, engineering, technology and music. The one-of-a-kind award is created from hand-carved acoustic boards that Les Paul built and used in his home recording studio. Past recipients include Bob Weir, Nile Rodgers, the Edge, Peter Frampton and Steve Miller. Slash and Les Paul shared a special friendship and often played music together.
The evening also hosted a listening party featuring tracks from Slash’s latest collaboration with Miles Kennedy & the Conspirators entitled Flying Blind, which will be available in February 2027 on Gibson Records.
The title track was released as a single on October 2. Following the listening party in one room of the studio complex, which was filled with the late Les Paul’s vintage recording equipment, the award presentation happened in a larger, main room.
Slash humbly accepted the award, as dignitaries from Gibson USA and the Les Paul Recording studio presented. He spoke of his friendship with Les Paul, and how honored he was to be the recipient.
Congratulations Slash!
