Bobby Bandiera, Lenny Kaye, and More to Pay Tribute to Les Paul at Monmouth University

Legendary guitar icon Les Paul will be honored at Monmouth University with a musical tribute concert and photography exhibition 8 pm tomorrow night (May 12) at Pollak Theatre.

Musical director Bobby Bandiera will lead the one-night-only concert celebrating Paul’s
influences and contributions to modern music through his songs, inventions of multi-track
recording and the solid-body electric guitar.

Featured performers include including Layonne Holmes, Tony Perruso, John Pittas, Kevin Bregande, Muddy Shews, Tommy Labella and Jillian Rhys McCoy will feature guest appearances by some of New Jersey’s premier guitarists including Sonny Kenn (Red Bank, NJ), Anthony Krizan of the Spin Doctors (Raritan, NJ),  Billy Hector (Orange, NJ), Lenny Kaye of the Patti Smith Band (North Brunswick, NJ) singer, Reagan Richards of Williams Honor (Long Branch, NJ) who was a backup singer of Mr. Paul’s for four years, Jim Babjak of The Smithereens, and others still to be announced.

The show precedes opening of the photography exhibition “Les Paul: Thru the Lens” running in the Pollak Gallery from March 20 – May 31 featuring rare photos highlighting the life and career of Les Paul, the inventor, pioneering musician and icon. From his celebrity friends to the earliest part of his life, fans will have a chance to walk through Les’ amazing life through remarkable photos during this limited engagement. Curated by the Les Paul Foundation, the exhibit features 24 gallery-framed black-and-white photographs including Les’ life from childhood to his later career. It includes personal family photos and Les behind-the-scenes with celebrity friends.

Les Paul photographer and assistant, Chris Lentz, will be in attendance at the event.A limited quantity of GOLD CIRCLE VIP Tickets are available for the concert and will include a  pre-show VIP reception (from 6-7:30 pm) with music by Monmouth University students Jenae & Max, a private viewing of Les Paul Thru the Lens exhibition in the Pollak Gallery and premium seating. Additional tickets are on sale for $69-$75. For more information or to purchase tickets please visit www.monmouth.edu/MCA or call the box office at 732.263.6889.