HOLLYWOOD, CA — Few guitarists have become as closely associated with the Les Paul guitar as Slash. With his signature top hat, unmistakable playing style, and a sound that has helped define generations of rock music, the Guns N’ Roses guitarist has spent decades leaving his mark on this particular guitar. On October 5, 2026, that legacy received a meaningful recognition when Slash was presented with the 2026 Les Paul Spirit Award during a small celebration at the Les Paul Recording Studio at United Recording Studios in Hollywood, California.
Presented by the Les Paul Foundation in partnership with Gibson Gives, the award recognizes musicians who embody the spirit of the late Les Paul through creativity, innovation, engineering, technology, and music. For Slash, he and Les Paul shared a personal friendship during Paul’s lifetime, often spending time together and playing music whenever the opportunity arose. Receiving an award bearing the name of someone he knew, respected, and considered a friend made the occasion especially meaningful.
Slash represents a different generation of that same enduring relationship between the guitarist and the instrument, and the person who first crafted it. His playing has always been recognizable, built around expressive phrasing, memorable melodies, and a deep connection to the blues and rock traditions that came before him. Rather than chasing trends, he has developed a sound that remains unmistakably his own, whether performing with Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver, Slash’s Snakepit, or Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators.
In reflecting on the honor, Slash spoke directly about what Les Paul meant to him.
“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.”
Michael Braunstein, Executive Director of the Les Paul Foundation, also emphasized the personal connection between the two musicians and the qualities that made Slash a natural recipient.
“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,” Braunstein said. “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 award itself carries a piece of Les Paul’s history. Crafted from actual hand-carved acoustic boards that Paul built and used in his home recording studio, each trophy is made using authentic materials connected to his work. Because the awards incorporate these original studio materials, no two are exactly alike. It is a fitting tribute to an inventor whose career was defined by building, experimenting, and finding new ways to make music. Slash now joins Bob Weir, Nile Rodgers, The Edge, Peter Frampton, and Steve Miller. Each has made a lasting contribution to music, reflecting the creativity and originality that the award was established to recognize. For Slash, the distinction further acknowledges the impact he has made not only through his performances and recordings, but also through his continued commitment to creating music on his own terms.
Ahead of the award presentation, select members of the media were invited to an exclusive advance listening session at the Les Paul Recording Studio, where four tracks from the forthcoming album were previewed: “Good Time Girl,” “One of Your Kind,” “Flying Blind,” and “Looking for a Miracle.” Recorded largely live with longtime producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette, Flying Blind captures the band’s raw energy and chemistry, offering a glimpse of what comes next for a collaboration that has continued to thrive over the past 15 years. The album will be followed by the “Flying Blind World Tour 2027,” which is set to take Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators across Latin America, North America, the United Kingdom, and Europe. The announced itinerary includes stops at venues such as The Wiltern, Beacon Theatre, and Ryman Auditorium, bringing the band’s next chapter to audiences around the world, and that’s just leg one, with more tours coming later in the future.
Slash’s career continues to move forward, but this particular honor also looks back at the people and ideas that helped shape it. By recognizing his musicianship, curiosity, and enduring impact, the Les Paul Spirit Award celebrates not only what Slash has accomplished, but the spirit of experimentation and creativity that he and Les Paul shared.
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