SLASH Honored With 2026 'Les Paul Spirit Award' During Intimate Hollywood Celebration

Rock icon Slash received the 2026 Les Paul Spirit Award this past Monday night, October 5, during an intimate celebration at the Les Paul Recording Studio at Universal Master Recordings in Hollywood, California.

Presented by the Les Paul Foundation in partnership with Gibson Gives, the philanthropic arm of Gibson, the private event brought together a room filled with music-industry luminaries, artists, media, friends and special guests to honor Slash's extraordinary creative legacy, pioneering musicianship and enduring influence on generations of artists and fans.

The evening centered on the presentation of the one-of-a-kind Les Paul Spirit Award, recognizing Slash as an artist who embodies Les Paul's pioneering spirit through innovation, creativity, technology and music. The celebration also included a reception and a tour of the historic recording studio, offering guests a closer look at the remarkable legacy of Les Paul and the continuing impact of his work on modern music and recording.

Slash and Les Paul shared a special friendship during Les Paul's lifetime and often played music together. That personal connection brought added meaning to the evening as guests celebrated not only two of the most recognizable guitarists in music history, but also two artists united by an enduring curiosity, an instinct for innovation and a lifelong commitment to expanding the expressive possibilities of the electric guitar.

Slash commented: "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, added: "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. 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 annual Les Paul Spirit Award is presented to an individual who exemplifies the spirit of the late Les Paul through innovation, engineering, technology and music. The physical award presented to Slash was created from actual hand-carved acoustic boards that Les Paul built and used in his home recording studio. Because each award is fashioned from authentic studio materials personally created by Les Paul, no two Les Paul Spirit Awards are exactly alike.

Previous recipients of the Les Paul Spirit Award include Bob Weir, Nile Rodgers, The Edge, Peter Frampton and Steve Miller. Slash now joins that distinguished group of artists whose creativity, originality and contributions to music reflect the trailblazing spirit that defined Les Paul's life and career.

A Grammy Award-winning guitarist, songwriter and Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee, Slash has helped define generations of rock music through his work with GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT, SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS and SLASH'S BLUES BALL BAND. With more than 100 million albums sold worldwide, he has created some of the most iconic guitar performances in rock history while continuing to push his artistry into new territory.

His most recent solo album, "Orgy Of The Damned", was released by Gibson Records in 2024 and topped the Billboard Blues Albums chart for 13 weeks.

Whether exploring the blues or recording rock albums with SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS, Slash remains driven by the same instinctive, collaborative approach that has defined his career.

Prior to the award presentation, select members of the media were invited inside the Les Paul Recording Studio for an exclusive advance listening session featuring four songs from SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS' forthcoming album, "Flying Blind". Guests heard "Good Time Girl", "One Of Your Kind", "Flying Blind" and "Looking For A Miracle", offering an early glimpse at the band's next creative chapter.

Set for release on February 26, 2027, via Gibson Records, "Flying Blind" was recorded largely live with producer Michael "Elvis" Baskette and captures the raw chemistry and unfiltered energy that have become hallmarks of the band's sound. The preview underscored that, even after decades at the forefront of rock music, Slash continues to create with the same passion, spontaneity and commitment to collaboration that have defined his extraordinary career.

The "Flying Blind" world tour 2027 will take SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS across Latin America, North America and Europe, with stops at iconic venues including The Wiltern, Beacon Theatre and Ryman Auditorium.

Photo credit: Julia Lofstrand Photography

Left to right in photo below: Michael Braunstein (executive director of the Les Paul Foundation),Beth Heidt (chief marketing officer at Gibson),Slash, and Anne Rohosy (Gibson CEO, interim).