Son Of Guitar Legend Les Paul To Be Interviewed In Mahwah

MAHWAH, NJ — Gene Paul, son of guitar legend Les Paul — who lived in Mahwah for 60 years —, is being interviewed in just a few weeks at Mahwah Museum, an exhibits archive that has long paid tribute to Les' musical and cultural legacy.

Gene garnered his own success as a recording engineer at Atlantic Studios, and engineered nine Grammy Award-winning albums with such artists as Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack and John Coltrane, the museum said.

He also played drums in his father's touring band from 1959 to 1969.

In the special event, Gene Paul will talk about his relationship with his father in an interview with Sean McClowry, associate professor of music industry whose academic specialty is the recordings of Les Paul; and Steve Lucas, professional guitarist who has performed with Les Paul.

"Gene Paul — who has participated in past museum programs — provides a direct link to his father as an innovator, inventor, musician, celebrity and person," Les Paul in Mahwah Committee Chair Ken Pokrowski said.

The event, "Journeys With My Father: The Story of Gene Paul, Son of Les," will take place at 11 a.m. on Dec. 3. Registration is required.

During normal hours at the museum, guitar fans can also enjoy the Les Paul exhibit displaying equipment from his home studio, including his recording console, an AMPEX 8-track stack and 300 tape machine, and one of his "Clunker" guitars.

Home to the Les Paul exhibit since 2011, the Mahwah Museum has also presented programs to educate and to celebrate Les Paul's legacy in the form of talks, workshops and live music events.

Les Paul, Pokrowski said, inspected the space shortly before his death in 2009.

"He set two conditions: that the exhibit be permanent and that the public would have access to play his guitars that are on display," Pokrowski added. "The museum has met both conditions."