MICHAEL'S LES PAUL GUITAR?

I have been asked many times what happened to you brothers Les Paul? In truth I don't really know. I have heard many tales and none of them panned out.

When Michael died, we went to his house to collect documents for the filing of his final tax return. Someone had already been there and took most of the instruments. Under the circumstances the guitars were not given much attention. In retrospect these instruments had historical value and most likely would neve come our way. I was delighted that Gibson had created the signature model but like the Holy Grail, it could never be duplicated.

Patrick wrote me that he had heard that Vintage Guitar June issue will have some new information

on the missing Les Paul. This is the first I have heard of this. It would be a relief to learn what actually occurred.

Great Players

As I write this There is a young guitar aficionado somewhere who will be the next Uber musician climbing to the top. He will have stood on the shoulders of past greats and will pay his respects for all they have taught him. He has worked tirelessly on his craft and his speed, fluidity and creativity will reflect his essence. This special talent will be perceptible from his earliest playing and through out his career.
I must confess that I am biased about guitar players in general and my loyalties are rooted in the past. Not long ago I happened to find a you tube video of Joe Bonomassa, Jimmy Vivino and Herbert Sumlin. I am sorry that I don't remember the name of the fourth player, a young kid who reminded me of a Stevie Ray. On the stage these four men represented the blues past, present and future. Each played a solo, that showcased their unique skills. Each musician had stellar talent, and I fought against the urge to say who was the best. Try as I may I found myself drawn to Joe because his tone was perfect, his facility was impossible to deny and he could really sing. It has been a long, long time since I reconnected to another player. If you get a chance please check this out.
Your friend,
Allen B.

What is your favorite song Michael played?

If you were to put out a best of album of the whole of Michael's work what would you like to hear? Also which group or band was your favorite?

Sharing Michael's Life

I hope that you all enjoyed the first part, the early years of Michael Bloomfield released on his birthday. David Dann and his able staff have again created an excellent insight of his early years. David Dan wanted to create a biographical portrait of Michael the person who for many is known only through his music. A more extensive documentary will be coming out in a year or so which will explore in depth Michael's life. Interest has been expressed on a feature film depicting Michael's experiences on the road with legendary blues men. This project is just in the talking stage.
I would like your comments on the early years film as well as any ideas what you might want to watch regarding Michael. Also feel free to comment on Bob Jones tribute to Michael CD.

Summer Breeze

This time of year brought this memory to mind. Our family moved from the city Chicago, to the suburb of Glencoe when we were still in the last years of elementary school. Our house was about a half mile from Lake Michigan. We would take a short cut and hike through a ravine that led to beach. There was a sand bar about fifty yards out and Michael wanted to swim to it. I was afraid that I would run out of gas and told him so. "Don't worry Allie, don't worry I will stay right next to you."
Out we went and about half way there I began to panic. My brother true to his word,
went under water and held me up until I caught my breath. Once we got to the sand bar Michael was laughing and excitedly saying, "you did really well." You just got to love him.
AB

Memories Of Spring

When Michael and I lived in Chicago around 1950 we were in walking distance of Belmont Harbor. We would get our bicycles out of storage at the building and ride through a park and then an underpass to the harbor proper. The park was in bloom with hundreds of flowering trees and the petals completely covered the path. The scent of Lake Michigan was sweet and clean at this time of year and the water lapped against the hulls of the boats. The simple connection to the sun, breeze, and water
allowed this recollection to survive and inspire me to find my way back to that absolutely natural state of Grace.

Family Vacations

When Michael and I were in our early teens we went with our parents on car trips to the west. Our father was the Captain and did all the driving. Our mother was the social director and was responsible for keeping us quiet by playing geography, sign reading and feeding us. The morning of the start of the vacation, after loading up, Mom brought out the wicker basket of fried chicken, potato salad and the likes. We left Chicago proper and about a half hour later, Michael and I were hungry again. Our Dad who was capable of moving to the red zone in an instant imparted these loving words, "shut up and sit back." This was a man who respected his Mark lV Lincoln and would not tolerate greasy fingerprints anywhere. He was determined to put at least 500 miles on each day and stopping to use a gas station bath room was met with disdain. Michael and I read all the signs; Wild root Hair Tonic, Red Man Chew, Burma shave and the like. When we learned of a Reptile Zoo 60 miles away we began the chant, " Let's stop there, huh dad, huh?" Tirelessly we asked, pleaded, and begged to stop and see the zoo. We were ignored in the beginning, but when we were with in 5 miles of the Reptile Zoo our Mom would add to our cause and say," come on Harold let the boys see the zoo it's their vacation too."
This was how we rolled, a challenge at every stop. One I cannot forget was in the mountains somewhere and they had the Seven Colored Falls and Indian Relics. The falls were beautiful and when the sun set they were illuminated in different colors and sight seeing boat rides took you into caves and underwater lakes. After you saw what was to be seen as if by magic one ended up in the general store with Indian Relics. If our Father was tough on stopping the car, asking for a souvenir was unthinkable. While I was messing around with the cedar boxes holding sharpened pencils I hear a, "Psst, psst Allie?" I turn around and there is Michael in a full Indian Chieftain's headdress, feathers reaching down to the ground, and Michael's shining face beaming at me. My reaction was taken as encouragement and Michael started to do an Indian dance yips and all. The store manager saw us and snatched the headdress off and returned it to prominent display case. He then took each one of us by the hand and out of the building. In the next inspired moment Michael announces he has to go to the bathroom. The manager releases our arms and begins wiping his face with a hanky. Michael returns to his native dancing to hold back his swollen bladder. The manger wants to know if he can hold it and Michael asks if he would like to hold it? Back we go to the store Michael yipping along the way. Hustling us to the Men's room, the manger starts calling out, " I have 2 boys here that have lost their parents, please take them." "Boys, boys where have you been? Your father is furious." Like we couldn't guess that.
Back in the car empty handed awaiting our next adventure.