Slash Honored With Les Paul Spirit Award Carved From Studio Relics

Slash received the 2026 Les Paul Spirit Award on Monday, Oct. 5, in Hollywood, and the trophy itself is the story. It was built from hand-carved acoustic boards that Les Paul made for his own home recording studio.

The Les Paul Foundation, working with Gibson Gives, presented the honor at The Les Paul Recording Studio at Universal Master Recordings. The private evening brought together artists, media, friends and industry figures.

Les Paul Spirit Award Made From the Inventor’s Own Studio Boards

Each trophy is fashioned from authentic materials Les Paul personally created, so no two awards are exactly alike. Slash’s came from the acoustic boards the inventor built and used in his home studio.

The annual award goes to someone who reflects Les Paul’s spirit through innovation, engineering, technology and music. Past recipients include Bob Weir, Nile Rodgers, the Edge, Peter Frampton and Steve Miller.

Slash and Les Paul were friends who often played music together during Les Paul’s lifetime. Slash said he feels lucky to have known Les Paul, calling an award that carries his name and spirit “a tremendous honor.”

Michael Braunstein, executive director of the Les Paul Foundation, said Slash exemplifies the creativity and curiosity Les Paul had in life. If Les Paul were alive today, the two would be jamming onstage regularly.

Slash’s Flying Blind Album and 2027 World Tour Details

Before the ceremony, select media heard four songs from Flying Blind, the next album from Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. They were “Good Time Girl,” “One of Your Kind,” “Flying Blind” and “Looking for a Miracle.”

Flying Blind is due Feb. 26, 2027, via Gibson Records and was recorded largely live with producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette. The recording captures the raw chemistry and energy that mark the band’s sound.

The Flying Blind World Tour 2027 will visit Latin America, North America, the United Kingdom and Europe, with stops at The Wiltern, Beacon Theatre and Ryman Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now through the official Slash tour page.

Slash is a Grammy-winning guitarist and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee with more than 100 million albums sold worldwide. His work spans Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver and Slash’s Snakepit.

His latest solo album, Orgy of the Damned, came out on Gibson Records in 2024. It topped the Billboard Blues Albums chart for 13 weeks.