Les Paul 'Big Sound' tour, interactive exhibit, coming to Lombard
Les Paul fans will have a chance to win a guitar, make their own music and experience an interactive exhibit about the musician and innovator when the Les Paul Big Sound Experience Tour makes a stop in Lombard this week.
The tour is part of a yearlong 100th anniversary celebration of Paul, inventor of the solid body electric guitar and multitrack recording. It features a 53-foot-long, interactive tour vehicle that gives visitors a behind-the-scenes look into his life and creations.
The free, 1,000-square-foot mobile exhibit is stationed at Sam Ash Music Store, 1139 S. Main St. in Lombard, from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from noon to 8 p.m. Friday.
"It's extremely interactive, and it's state-of-the-art technology," said Caroline Galloway, public relations representative for the Les Paul Foundation. "You can go in and get a picture of you and Les, make music with Les, learn the history of music and instruments."
The tour kicked off June 9, in New York City, and will make stops in about two cities each week through May 2016. So far, Galloway said visitors of all ages have been "mesmerized" to learn about Les and what he accomplished in his life.
"A lot of people just think about him as a guitar," she said. "The focus is to really learn about Les, everything he brought to the world, and maybe be inspired to go do it yourself. It will leave you with a lot of thought."
In addition to the tour, live music performances will take place at the store both days. The schedule on Thursday includes Derek Fawcett at 3:30 p.m., Empty Pockets at 4:30 p.m. and Romantic Rebel at 6:30 p.m. On Friday, Levi Britton will play at 2:30 p.m., followed by Dave Specter at 5:30 p.m. and The Ivorys at 6:30 p.m.
In addition, "Steve & Jonnie" from WGN Radio will be at the store on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. to sign their new book, "A Little More Les."
For information about other official Les Paul 100th Anniversary activities, visit www.les-paul.com or www.lespaulfoundation.org.