Ten-foot tall guitars will show up on the streets in Les Paul’s boyhood hometown beginning Friday, June 1st. Earlier this year the Gibson Guitar Company designated Waukesha as a Gibson GuitarTown. Other cities holding the GuitarTown designation are Nashville, Hollywood, London, Austin, Orlando, Miami and Cleveland (home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.)

Artist Tom Noll captures Gibson Les Paul guitarists on one of the 10’ guitar.

Ten fiberglass Gibson Les Paul guitars that stand 10 feet tall are being decorated by regional artists. Many of the designs will celebrate the city’s connection to Les Paul. Additionally, 20 playable guitars have been artistically enhanced by renowned regional artists. All guitars will be on unveiled in downtown Waukesha beginning Friday, June 1^st. Bidding for the guitars is available on line through the event’s website: www.waukeshaguitartown.com.

Marcia Schneider themed her guitar for Les Paul & Mary Ford’s song “Hummingbird”, that hit the Top Ten on the Billboard Charts in 1955.

Thursday, May 31^st will be a private Gala in historic downtown Waukesha, by ticket only.  Friday, June 1^st will be the public unveiling of the decorated 10 foot tall and the playable guitars.

The Les Paul Trio and Russ Paul will perform at the events in Waukesha. Russ has agreed to meet visitors on Friday, June 1^st and Saturday, June 2^nd at the site of the Les Paul Memorial in Waukesha’s Prairie Home Cemetery. Multiple other activities are noted on the event’s website.

Artist Pat Mitchell said her mosaic design reflects Les & Mary Ford’s love for each other and Wisconsin’s love for Les. The photo was taken before the hardware was installed.