Les Paul with Chet Atkins Iridium N.Y.C. 1996

[@golfcoursemanager33]

Les Paul is just shy of his 81st birthday here and Chet is almost 72. Proving, once again, that guitar/music can be a lifelong pursuit.

[@stevedouglas7375]

PB, I appreciate your comment. As of my comment here, I'm 68. Problems with the fingers starting to creep in, but I'll never say die until I can no longer make music with my guitar. I can no longer hold bar chords, but I work around them. No doubt it's a bummer, but in other ways it's okay. Triads, octaves etcetera. It's all good as long as I can play.

[@bobbyallen7977]

@@stevedouglas7375 same with me as I have injured my left hand many times over the years and some chords are hard to make but I find another way of playing a chord.Im 60 but I've always been a working type.Thats why my hands are stove up

[@JohnHWelch63]

As a guitarist this is a real treat for me to watch these two legends play together! I adore both of them!

[@normalbird6199]

I agree with you its very hallucinating. Just one question, do you know whats the name of this tune because i cant actually find it elsewhere

[@demef758]

@@normalbird6199 Stompin' At The Savoy. It was an old Benny Goodman standard. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWXFfJeHdpJ-gpI

[@rondaleroi]

@@normalbird6199 It's "Stompin' at the Savoy."

[@chrisround8372]

My two guitar heroes, the world was a better place with you both in it. R.I.P. Gentlemen.

[@hollywoodjoe123]

AND it still is a better place because CHET and LES were in it _

[@robertmessina6962]

Absolutely was..miss them both very much. Saw Les in NY and met him, wonderful character 😊

[@victorguerra8884]

Two of the greatest guitar legends of all time performing together. It doesn't get any better than this. Ultimate respect!

[@freddyfriesen]

Yes, and they seem to be having a treat themselves !

[@markcarbonaro6524]

In 1996, Chet Atkins was 72 and Les Paul was 81. Both still had great chops. Amazing stuff! Thanks for posting.

[@CB3Music]

Crazy to think we had such legends in our lifetime... Amazing!

[@ztahs]

Two brilliant musicians who know how to leave their egos at the door and just have fun.

[@garypring7351]

THERE SHITE NOT IN SAME LGE AS BRIAN MAY THE LATE GEORGE HARRISON GLEN FREY AND WALSH OF THE EAGLES CAN PLAY LIKE THIS AND SING THESE CANT SLASH IS GREAT GUITARIST AS MANY OTHER'S ARE WHO ARE BETTER THEN THESE COFFEN DODGERS

[@harveyperleberg6459]

Wow no auto tune,no dancing girls,no backround bull crap.Just talent. two great musician's doing what they do,playing the song.

[@callmeej8399]

you don't need one when you can play like that haha

[@gman4860]

@@garypring7351 oh I see we have another jackass(you) who thinks being a ill mannered moron makes him somebody!

[@thercattrainer]

@@garypring7351 What made you such an expert on the Electric Guitar? You probably can’t play a lick on one! Having music be a part of my life, on and off, for well over 50 years now, I have a very good ear for tone and pitch. Both perfect! Les Paul was not only a excellent musician, but an innovator and inventor too. Chet Atkins was not only an excellent musician too, but an major record producer with RCA Records, and an innovator too. He took all forms of the guitar, including Les’s style and mastered them. Just look at the records that they sold, and the Grammy Awards that they both won, and the Musical Societies that they were inducted into. That should speak for itself. Les and Chet were considered idols by most of these much younger great guitar musicians who you mentioned.

[@bkenglandUTube]

These guys were the fine wine of guitar playing. Very much missed, but great to be able to see and hear so much of their legacy, including here.

[@hamburgerdan101]

Les Paul recorded so much of his live playing its infinite and started countless recording techniques that are still used.

[@abr3652]

To be able to share this with my sons...priceless

[@averygeneralnamecauseicant209]

Gibson was endorsed by Les Paul, and Gretsch was endorsed by Chet Atkins. Two guitar legends, two great guitar companies.

[@DUGGER1947]

Later in Chet's career, he also had a line of Gibson guitars he endorsed, specifically, a Gibson version of the original Chet Atkins Country Gentleman, and an acoustic electric guitar called, "The Chet."

[@jasondorsey7110]

​@@DUGGER1947 The gibson was pretty much a gretsch copy, yet they have the nerve to say "play authentic"...I like gibsons and own three, but their marketing sucks, if it weren't for the amazing players like Les who used them they would have gone under in the 70s like mosrite and microfrets

[@lesliebenedict8104]

Two legends.

[@franciscomacias2097]

😊😊😊😊😊🎼🎵👍👍👍🇲🇽

[@cpcattin]

I am so filled with joy remembering Les Paul at the Iridium on a Monday in May 2005. Savoy !

[@ITILII]

You can't find 2 better guitarists playing at the same time then Chet and Les - more than LEGENDARY

[@ghostofnavigator8934]

Your not kidding.

[@mikeroullier6875]

A most beautiful pair of people ever to play together!!.. good ol Chester and Lester!!!!

[@TexasTrails]

Two Guitar Legends. May they RIP

[@std882]

Young shredders today should listen to these guys. They can shred and be damn melodious doing it.

[@stephensmith1034]

Std882 Couldn't agree more. There are a lot of great players out there today but they don't play too much of his good-ole, oldie stuff.

[@hatedo]

Yes! Nowadays guitarist just arranged and memorized what to play..so wherever and whenever they play just exactly the same notes .. But these two old Paul & Atkins, i bet they could play spontaneously a song with different improvisation

[@GrimKage]

Yeah these guys are much better. Modern guys are crap. Change sucks.

[@vitalygoji]

Those guitars had very thick strings. Today's players would not be able to play at all on these guitars

[@inekribben938]

vyong (j

[@longdark4ever]

Hahaha Chet saying "I'll start it cause I want it done right" cracked me the hell up :)

[@roybodden9243]

Does it get any better than this? What a combo! I have the 2 albums they did together. I saw both of them. Unfortunately nor together and about 30 years apart. In fact I have an interview of Chet that I did in the mid 80's

[@kevingee4294]

MDKArtist He used that line in the past with Jerry Reed in the early 70's........still funny....

[@kennethmelnychuk9737]

You’re definitely a legend when a legendary musician like Chet Atkins looks up to you

[@dr.ulyssesswlabr6642]

Wow here we have Mr. Guitar and Mr. Electric Guitar. This is a real gem!

[@paulunnasch810]

When I heard Les Paul had passed away I think I was around 12 years old. I was really fortunate to be able to attend the visitation preceding his funeral in Milwaukee. Casket was a beautiful dark brown and his own music was playing over the PA. This guy invented the guitar as we know it today. And, being from Wisconsin he is one more reason to love the state.

[@brucekuehn4031]

The Wizard of Waukesha!

[@kellanhumphries8598]

Just amazing playing. Two of the greatest foundational players ever, so blessed to have them both in my ears form a young age

[@rickhale4348]

I got to go backstage in Atlanta in the 1960s at theater under the stars. I met Chet Atkins, Floyd Cramer, and Boots Randolph. Atkins and Cramer were very quiet but warm and friendly. Boots was like a woundup top, pouring sweet and very animated and very friendly. At another show in downtown Atlanta Roy Orbison sang Pretty Woman to my mother on stage. She was very pretty and very embarrassed. A different time and a different world.

[@jayevans1159]

Thank you, Chris, for posting this. This clip exemplifies what KZbin does for all of us, to see the great performers and performances when we could not be there. It shows what we had, what we lost, and keeps the memories so precious and alive.

[@aussiegaigin]

Jay Evans so right. I used to enjoy listening to them when I was young, now I APPRECIATE the talents they were. Beats the modern electronic stuff hands down.

[@andrasbarkanyi7876]

Best invention ever since the Wheel ..!!!! Am logged on this day and night! :)

[@circlecloud11]

Well said Jay!! 100% agree.

[@lisascarbroug2313]

Jay Evans

[@42lookc]

100% agreement here, Jay!

[@andrewfischer556]

This recording definitely belongs in the Smithsonian. Two American classics gracing the stage together for the last time. Proof that music brings people together. Thank you for posting this

[@kennewman3716]

A High Point in my Guitar life was sitting listening to Les Paul, with hosting #1.3 Son Jason Kenneth Newman and his son Alexander Reed Newman at the Irridium a few years back. Had a word with him, he mentioned Sophie , my mama and my Aunt Julie the Murray Sisters played on Chicago ;s National Barndance Show in the 30's. Bright mind are had by many of the naturally great artistes. Love kenxqed♫ Whimperer

[@CliffLewis28]

Wow, I am so in awe of their genius! It’s a beautiful thing!

[@thomasbeatty9496]

I saw my hero, Les Paul at the Iridium in 1999. What a show. I was blessed.

[@OriginalBoxerJab]

This style really puts a huge smile on my face, brings a tear to my eye and makes me feel genuinely happy. This is amazing. Now it’s time for me to pick up on it.

[@DUGGER1947]

Ladies and gentlemen, you've just watched and listened to guitar brilliance like no other. Chet passed away in 2001, Les 8 years later in 2009. RIP to two of my guitar heroes.

[@emeliaalfaro]

😢😢 So sad to hear that How are you doing?

[@greglarry11]

Thank you for posting this. It's sooo special. History captured on film.

[@berfsk]

Gregory Larry lespaul.org

[@likaleica]

None better and never will have a pair like these two again

[@Crackers2549]

I love this!!! My two all time favorites.. Just love when the two Masters go together..Thanks for sharing!

[@Newwaver2007]

One reason why they are legends. :) Still today ♡

[@devilnusontour2850]

two of my heros.....always paint a smile on my face....thank you, lester + chester

[@jerrys5102]

So thankful so.eone had the foresight to record so many of these Fat Tuesday's and Iridium shows. They were a real treat if you had a chance to attend and these recordings are priceless.

[@2Buellerballs]

The album Chet mentions is "Chester and Lester." Dig it up if you can. It's a monster-piece!

[@gottabekidding8504]

It sounds corny now, perhaps, but those musical ideas were pretty fresh when Les invented them 50 years earlier. The fact that he was playing that well (and continued to do so for another 8 years till I saw him in that room in 2004 or so) was amazing.

[@gordongross8721]

gosh thanks for your deep insight...and what have you recorded?

[@luvdylanstar]

Randall Holmes ♡ it's great, I have it on vinyl and it's one of my all time favorites! !

[@olddoggeleventy2718]

Hey, whaddya gonna do,,, as the saying goes, opinions are like assholes, everybody's got one and they all stink...lol

[@garryconley]

I have both of those albums Two of the greatest guitarist that there was..

[@williammawk1720]

You are watching and listening to the two that taught the masters.

[@MrAlcull]

I was in Queensland in 1978 when I went into an electrical store...there I saw on a "specials" table an audio cassette of "Chester and Lester". It blew me away.Still does. Thanks for posting this wonderful video.

[@Crackers2549]

The two that set the table for everyone else and two of the greatest American guitarists of all time... This song is a masterpiece by the two legends! I can't get enough of it...!!!

[@daveellson1769]

Two old greats gone but never going to be forgotten threw there music talent

[@roberts5223]

Two of the best ever! Gone but not forgotten. Thanks for sharing.

[@baronratfish3865]

I haven't listened to Les Paul play for a few yrs. So glad this came up in my recommended. Thanks Chris! I'm going to play this again now.

[@robbourassaguitarist]

Along with Django, my greatest heroes growing up. What great players. They both changed the world of guitar so much. Thanks for posting.

[@BavonWW]

Not forgetting: Eddie Lang, Charlie Christian, and Wes Montgomery.

[@robbourassaguitarist]

I will agree with that group for sure.

[@MAGAMANPATRIOT]

Les raking his strings sounds like a master of his craft. Chet got to raking more as he got older. It's a very difficult guitar move one might use to show how good you really are. All of you that don't play or those do but don't realize the difficultly try it. It's a fantastic move to have in your bag.

[@mickbrod1]

oh what a duo my sister sent me a les paul box set with all of his great music with mary ford I have several albums of chet I saw him live many years ago what an act. the les box set is stored next to my mariage licence..

[@andrejshamin1452]

Настоящие легенды. А никакой"звездной болезни". Респект, мастерам.

[@joebowen1589]

My dad Ozzie Bowen knew Les Paul & played a jam session with him in Chicago at the Sheraton. Daddy was a musical genius, & played guitar, tenor banjo, & upright bass but only played music as an avocation & he was a diesel engineer for ICRR retiring after 50 yrs. Les Paul is one of the greatest guitarist n the world & I owned a Les Paul Special Gibson guitar for yrs. joe g bowen Miss Gulf Coast Riviera of the south

[@Tootufftocry]

Joe Bowen your a blessed man is the recording on KZbin

[@davidshipman390]

athiest debates

[@terrysellers6712]

Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful ❤️ tears 😢 of complete joy 😊 thank you so much ❤️ for you 😘

[@therealDac10012]

Sublime. Best part, Chet grinning at Les playing. Thanks!

[@rtflippo]

My yes are full of tears listening's to this giants.

[@Forevertrue]

I have been listening to Chet all night on You tube but when I heard Les and He play I was astonished at Les Paul and his talent and timing Wow! What a huge tremendous gigantic talent!!

[@U2WB]

WOW. Thank you for sharing this. Chet was my hero from a very young age, and later I discovered Les and here he is, probably in his 80s and suffering with crippling arthritis and STILL could play his a$$ off. Just astonishing. I wish I could be half as good with all my fingers functioning.

[@berfsk]

U2WB lespaul.org

[@MarkZook]

Two of the three best guitarists of the twentieth century. This is such a huge treat!!

[@TakersMissy]

Wonderful! FIrst time I've seen these two legends play together; what a treat! Thanks for posting! :-)

[@stratmanjoe]

That my friend is one fine little clip. Thanks so much for your post. 👍🏻 Some of these younger players could really learn from listening to these two legends. Rest In Peace. Both of you.

[@thomasbeatty9496]

Saw Mr. Paul at the Iridium in 1999. What a talent. What a showman. A genuinely nice person.

[@barclayeke3906]

What a dynamic duo! The egos of today's artists wouldn't allow them to collaborate with each other the way these great legends did.

[@FriesinNF]

Oh no, brother! Nowadays everybody play together. Listen to G3 and so on. Former generations like Blackmore, Hendrix, Santana . . .never played together.

[@wymple09]

@@FriesinNF Clapton has played with everybody. Same for lots of other greats,

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

Les Paul is obviously a legend, as is Chet, but Chet Atkins has a level of cool that is unmatched. What a couple of great musicians!

[@nicolo9093]

I've seen many videos of Les playing with other musicians and Chet is the only one who's got the balls to actually give him shit. All in good taste and humour of course, they look like the best of friends. They're incredible.

[@dennisjohndreher7258]

Agree, Les was a badass. I think he has respect for Chet.

[@Strat-Kat]

That's what I just said! Haha! First person I've seen give it to Les! Les is always busting on his guests, he reminds me of my uncle who is just like that! All in good fun and respect. You are witnessing 2 guitar masters on the same stage! Wow!

[@Guitarplayer724]

Watch Les Paul with Tommy Emanuel

[@ivetoldyouonce]

Chet's brother played with Les. Chet knew Les most of his life. Two different talents, two different styles, each alone were incredible. Together, they were mesmerizing in their ability.

[@rembertomondragon6169]

Ronald Greene : did they get along in real life ? Les looks like he was a humble super Nice guy.

[@jimdartouzos2127]

Two Legandary Guitar Masters....playing together...this goes beyond the reaches of Awesomeness. ..An Epic Performance

[@karencanali9754]

WOW! MY BROTHER'S IDOLS and he plays their style...from age 8...

[@klavier1us]

Thanks for the great post from one of the 100ish folks privileged to see them do this live...what a great night that was!

[@jeffreysmith9340]

The best,of the best. I also had to change that comment count to 667.. Bothered me. But mainly, thanks for sharing. Jeff

[@denisechetty4019]

I love these two guys! It's such a pleasure to watch them playing..and joking around!

[@ROCKSTARCRANE]

For one who began playing guitar in the late 50's, this is Heaven. No two men had greater impact on the instrument; it's development, and style of playing.

[@1mespud]

True. And let's also not forget studio/session and behind the scenes guitarists Perry Botkins for "Ellie's Theme" and those "Beverly Hillbillies" segways and Hank Garland for "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" and "Jingle Bell Rock".

[@davidmiley7375]

1mespud pl

[@davidmiley7375]

1mespud l

[@pitt2329]

Two of the best! Thanks for sharing. The banter is fun, too. There are some clips of that on Chester and Lester. At one point, they joke about Mel Bay himself!

[@jimdartouzos2127]

Two of the greatest guitarists playing together. ...Awesome.

[@MrAlcull]

This is gorgeous! Those Chester and Lester albums saved me...

[@beachcomber4141]

Ohh man!!!!!! I am at a loss for words on this one. Thank you for posting this!!!!!!!!!

[@slowbro173]

I’m grateful this was caught on film

[@thesongbird2383]

Wow, they're both completely, and beautifully, lost into their amazing talents and skills! Simply awesome! 👍💜🎶

[@Vegapunk108]

This is some good jolly time music. Both stay true to their style of playing. What a treat to the ears!

[@parkjammer]

This was just before I moved to NYC... and then I didn't realize he was still playing at the Iridium until about 2002. Then saw him many times and had him sign my Les Paul Custom (along with Jim Marshall and B.B. King!). It was always fun seeing Les and crew!

[@oucutie1]

Thank you Utube. You're changing my life!!!

[@berfsk]

Lespaul.org

[@richardbrucegraham1642]

Y'know a lotta folks don't realize what a great ventriloquist, Les Paul was...I coulda missed out myself, except I suddenly realized, when we finally bought a 6" TV, that his lips were moving...and they perfectly coordinated with the sound coming from the guitar! What a shock...what a couple of gifts, his and Chet's talents were and what a joy to be able to relive the shivers when we first heard them play.

[@ejllamobeolan5025]

I was lucky enough to see this concert tour in Palmyra High School in Pennsylvania it was awesome they each played there own set and then they play together.

[@es3791]

Thanks CRIS for this , just Amazing 👌🏾🇿🇦

[@larrypurdy266]

Chet Atkins and Les Paul thank goodness for recordings i could listen to them all day, And some times i do

[@bryanmiller6046]

Two masters having a excellent time jamming.

[@crunkalac]

Les Paul has such amazing tone

[@karenstauffer1524]

I've loved the "Chester and Lester" albums for years. Nice to see video of them together.

[@berfsk]

Lespaul.org

[@robertcaffrey6097]

Les Paul the genius. Thanks to him guitar playing and sound became what it is today.

[@natetheannihilnater1886]

Ive seen a lot of clips of Les playing with famous musicians. And he played the most passionately in this one. With other people he lets them take over usually. Chet and his playing brought that out of him.

[@FrankCizewitz]

wonderful very fine piece of live music-unforgettable nice

[@jimmygillard]

I love the banter. And ofc impeccable playing.

[@Crackers2549]

MY two favorites all time... Terrific playing!

[@doctorstrainlove6318]

A great pioneer of the electric guitar & a man that mastered it so early on... perfect

[@fpvwithme]

Cant for the life of me imagine who or why someone would dislike this. Jealousy?

[@CraigerAce]

Now we all know there are 343 knuckleheads that watched this.

[@smarzor]

No, they thought to download the video

[@dalemettee1147]

Two of my hero's

[@AwesomeBeatles]

I first heard Chet when I was like 18 years old. I could not believe how good he was.

[@ewenmchardy5157]

Wonderful, thanks Chris, want more!

[@TWAV8R]

This is so good it's bringing tears to my eyes.

[@billyrocca9029]

What a joy to see those two monster guitarists friends play together, displaying not only skills but true musical genius, and a lot of humour too, which you can hear through their playing. Les Paul had such an open mind for novelty he was also Ed Van Halen's mentor and good friend, and encouraged him into his pioneering spirit as they were both brilliant musicians and inventors. Les Paul invented the solid body along with Leo Fender and others like Paul Bigsby (Merle Travis's first ever solid body) and Van Halend pursued his work, pushing the concept further, coming up with the Frankenstrat, and the variac system on old Marshalls, and the waxing of humbuckers, which is now standard. Great minds know one another. Thanks to all of them for having made the guitar more than an instrument.

[@alysonross768]

Two of the all time greats showcasing their class and pinache 🎸🎸

[@STP_Fantasma]

The best of the best, by far. They have been my favorite duo for much of the year. Next to Django Reinhardt and Bradley Nowell idk who has influenced me more

[@ianthall8373]

It’s just nice to see two legends playing together, these guys paved the way

[@JasonFerguson1283]

Thanks for this golden video. If we could clean the audio it would be perfect.

[@dennismccunney4462]

This is how it's done. I have the Chester and Lester LP teay joked about, and it's lovely. Chet is probably better known for producing a lot of classic C&W stuff for RCA Victor in Nashville, but he started as a fine guitarist and kept his hand.

[@Jam-do7ye]

The two best guitar players of their time. These two have done so much for the music industry as well as the electric/acoustic guitar industry. Just watch their demeanor while they are playing. They exude so much greatness while being humble and they both enjoy what they do the best. Play that electric and acoustic guitars!

[@amyamy1097]

So sweeeet.these guys are some of the best pioneers.theeir style never tires

[@Pickinbuddy]

WOW!!! Thanks so much for posting this!