Keef On Les.

Keith Richards on Les Paul.

Keith Richards is one of a number of artists paying tribute to the late Les Paul on Thank You Les. Put together by Lou Pallo, guitarist in the Les Paul Trio, the album also features contributions from Billy Gibbons, Slash, Eddie Brigati from The Rascals, and Les's godson, Steve Miller, who also wrote the album's liner notes.

Richards plays on "It's Been a Long, Long Time," a 1941 hit for Paul and Bing Crosby. For Richards, he discovered Paul through his mother before ever playing one his signature Gibson guitars. "He was a catalyst for all us guitar players," says Richards, but adds that in England, Paul was more known for his music rather than inventing the electric guitar or numerous recording techniques.