LES PAUL STANDARD 50s WINS “BEST ELECTRIC GUITAR” AT NAMM 2019 FIRST-EVER CHUCK BERRY TRIBUTE ES-350T DEBUTS GIBSON NAMM Trailer
*All images and video approved for open media use. Credit: Gibson.
(February 1, 2019 Nashville, TN) Writing a new chapter to the guitar of choice for artists in rock, pop,country, blues, folk, jazz, and beyond, GIBSON ignited its next era at NAMM in Anaheim, CA. Thepre-eminent American-made instrument brand revitalized, re-envisioned, and recharged its core mission, paying homage to its storied history as it embraced the next vanguard of musicians independent of generation, gender and genre. NAMM represented a series of achievements for GIBSON including aNAMM Milestone Award for 125 years in business and the new Les Paul Standard 50s guitar went on to win “Best Electric Guitar of NAMM” from the editors of Guitar, Total Guitar and Music Radarmagazines.
Attracting widespread critical praise, the GIBSON Experience at NAMM brought in a stunning array of new and old guitars in a relaxed atmosphere. Players could pick up their guitar of choice in the GIBSONroom and plug in, put on headphones and sit down to play on their own terms.
GIBSON Experience at NAMM 2019.
Robby Krieger (The Doors) performs for fans at the GIBSON Experience at NAMM 2019.
On Wednesday, January 23, GIBSON commenced the week by launching the Chuck Berry Tribute ES-350T which marks the first-ever collaboration with the rock n’ roll pioneer’s family. Chuck Berry’s sonCharles Jr. and grandson Charlie took the GIBSON stage alongside Jared James Nichols and introduced the instrument and delivered a powerful performance of “Johnny B. Goode” that thrilled the packed crowd and set the fast-paced tone for the entire festival. Music Radar claimed, “GIBSON has already been making a splash on its return to the NAMM fray, and it did its best to dominate the proceedings at the pre-show event.” Regarding the new model, Guitar wrote, “The collection had gorgeous guitars galore, but one of the standouts had to be Custom Shop Chuck Berry Tribute ES-350T.” Photo L-R: Jared James Nichols, Charlie Berry, Charles Jr and Gibson CEO, James “JC” Curleigh
She Shreds panel at the GIBSON room, photo L-R: Emily Wolfe, She Shreds editor Fabi Reyne, Nancy Wilson of Heart, Cam, Michelle Arseneau, Emily Ruvidich.
Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) and Peter Frampton perform at Gibson Namm Jam 2019.
Gibson Namm Jam photo L-R: Jimmy Vivino and Nancy Wilson of Heart.
Gibson Namm Jam photo L-R: Jared James Nichols.
For Thursday, GIBSON’s opening party maintained its momentum well into the night by hosting the week’s hottest nighttime event, the NAMM JAM "Legends and New Icons" at City National Grove of Anaheim. The opening party saw a bevy of legends share the stage, including none other than Billy Gibbons, Nancy Wilson, Peter Frampton, Robby Krieger, Emily Wolfe, Black Pistol Fire, Cam, Jared James Nichols, Toby Lee, Lauren Ruth Ward and more. Meanwhile, the “house band” comprised Jimmy Vivino, Kenny Aronoff, Darryl Jones, and Jeff Young. Thursday through Sunday saw the GIBSON Experience welcome a diverse range of artists to the second floor in Room 207 for signings, Q&A’s, appearances and special live performances. These events comprised a roster of legends, icons, and future stars including Nancy Wilson of Heart, Robby Krieger of The Doors, Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, Lee Roy Parnell, Jason Hook of Five Finger Death Punch, Brian Ray (Paul McCartney), Brendon Small of Metalocalypse and Dethklok, Chris Traynor of Bush and Helmet, Billy Howerdell of A Perfect Circle, Michael Clifford of 5 Seconds of Summer, Lari Basilio, Vivian Campell of Def Leppard, Cam, Emily Wolfe, Frank Hannon, Toby Lee,Striking Matches, Luis Maldonado of Train, Trini Lopez, Michelle Arseneau, Gina Chavez,GianMarco, Austin Sexton, Brooklyn Allman, Spindrift, Leo James Conroy, Monica Valli, Carly Jo Jackson and more. The new era of GIBSON has begun. Stay tuned for more big news soon.