tribute concert has captured our attention Jeff Beck Soars At Intimate Les Paul Tribute Concert, By Kurt Loder

They were all on hand to catch the great guitarist in an uncommon context. His “All Access” column reflects his own views and not necessarily anyone else’s, including The Signal’s.

An outspoken proponent of music education in schools, Adams spoke a bit between songs about the value of music to young people, and how seeing music performed live can be a life-changing experience for kids. Nearly 5,000 applied, Sturm said. Find out more about Adams at her website (oletaadams.com).

Rus Paul, one of his sons, was on hand to observe the dedication of Iridium’s newly named “Les Paul Room.” May and her guitarist husband, Darrel Higham, shared most of the night’s vocal duties.

Big ups to Beck for carrying on the tradition in his own work.

But he’s most closely associated with the Fender Stratocaster, which has a throatier, more sinuous tone. Get more info at valleycultural.org or call (818) 704-1358. And he wasn’t the only weighty player in attendance. However, his two Iridium dates (the first one, the night before, had drawn such admirers as David Bowie) were a birthday tribute to Beck’s late friend, the innovative guitarist Les Paul, whose own style was clean, sharp and jazzy. She urged the audience to help keep music part of students’ learning experience in class. I can vouch for the first point based on personal experience, and second the second emotion. She periodically left the stage, especially during the many instrumental numbers. Wherever the chase leads him, it’ll make for a fascinating, not necessarily unsentimental journey. And you never know who else might show up. I’m not kidding.

The crowd was still buzzing at an upstairs party following the show. And tonight’s show? “I just went, Oh my god, there he goes again!” This week, music fans all over the planet, including this one, are celebrating what would have been the 95th birthday of electric guitar and modern recording pioneer Les Paul, who died last Aug. 13. Red carpet arrivals will begin at 7 p.m. and the show will start at 8 p.m.

Check back to this page on Gibson.com for exclusive video and photos from this sure-to-be-legendary event. Beck’s fiery, soaring style — which has been unendingly influential ever since he emerged as Eric Clapton’s replacement in the Yardbirds in 1965 — makes glorious use of maximum volume. Happy birthday, and vaya con Dios, amigo. Bringing on a four-piece horn section, he unleashed the deathless crunch of “The Peter Gunn Theme,” and then — out of nowhere — launched into a rendition of the Shangri-Las’ girl-group classic, “Remember (Walkin’ in the Sand),” that might have actually raised the roof if the club weren’t located in a basement. Absolutely phenomenal,” he said. Other guest performers joining Beck onstage included Gary “U.S.” Bonds, who wowed the room with his “New Orleans,” the rock ‘n’ roll party smash that was his first and most famous single in the early ’60s.  Rockabilly/jazz singer, guitarist and bandleader Brian Setzer also came out to sing during two songs, including the finale. “How does he do it?” Loaf pondered.