1956 Gibson Les Paul Custom Ebony ex Wendell Richardson, B.B King & Muddy Waters interest
Description
Wendell Richardson (Osibisa & Free) B.B King & Muddy Waters interest - Stage and Studio used 1956 Gibson Les Paul Custom electric guitar, made in USA, ser. no. 6 9251; Body: black finish, heavy checking, dings and marks throughout including buckle scratching to back; Neck: black finish mahogany, heavy wear throughout, vacant tuner holes to back of head; Fretboard: ebony with pearl block position markers, light wear; Frets: light wear; Electrics: working; Hardware: missing pickguard, replacement control knobs, replacement switch tip and surround, sinking to bridge, replacement Schaller tuners, replacement strap lock buttons; Weight: 4.78kg; Overall condition: good
*Sold on behalf of Wendell Richardson, founding member, lead guitarist and principal vocalist of the pioneering Afro-rock group Osibisa, and briefly touring lead guitarist with Free in 1973.
This guitar was acquired by Richardson in 1972 from S.I.R. Instrument Rentals, Los Angeles, USA, and has remained in his possession and professional use ever since. Richardson recalls that, at the time of acquisition, he was informed that the instrument had previously been owned by Muddy Waters, who reportedly passed it on due to its weight, after which it is said to have been owned by B. B. King, before entering the S.I.R. rental inventory. While this earlier provenance remains anecdotal, it forms part of the instrument’s known oral history as relayed by Richardson.
In 1973, Richardson joined Free as touring lead guitarist for their final U.S. tour, deputising for Paul Kossoff. He subsequently resumed his role with Osibisa, contributing to their continued international success.
Born in Antigua, West Indies, Richardson relocated to London in 1959 and became active in the capital’s thriving late-1960s music scene before turning professional in 1971. As a founding member of Osibisa, he was central to the creation of the band’s distinctive fusion of African highlife, Caribbean rhythms, rock and jazz. He performed extensively on their formative and most influential recordings, including their debut album Osibisa (1971) and Woyaya (1971), and contributed to their international touring success throughout the 1970s. The band achieved global recognition and chart success, notably with the hit single Sunshine Day, and are widely regarded as one of the most important groups in establishing Afro-rock and helping lay the foundations for the emergence of world music as an international genre.
In addition to his work with Osibisa, Richardson released his solo album Pieces of a Jigsaw in 1973 and led several subsequent musical projects, while continuing to perform internationally. This 1956 Gibson Les Paul Custom remained one of his principal instruments throughout his career, used extensively both live and in the studio over more than five decades, and stands as an instrument closely associated with his recorded output and performing legacy.
*Sold on behalf of Wendell Richardson, founding member, lead guitarist and principal vocalist of the pioneering Afro-rock group Osibisa, and briefly touring lead guitarist with Free in 1973.
This guitar was acquired by Richardson in 1972 from S.I.R. Instrument Rentals, Los Angeles, USA, and has remained in his possession and professional use ever since. Richardson recalls that, at the time of acquisition, he was informed that the instrument had previously been owned by Muddy Waters, who reportedly passed it on due to its weight, after which it is said to have been owned by B. B. King, before entering the S.I.R. rental inventory. While this earlier provenance remains anecdotal, it forms part of the instrument’s known oral history as relayed by Richardson.
In 1973, Richardson joined Free as touring lead guitarist for their final U.S. tour, deputising for Paul Kossoff. He subsequently resumed his role with Osibisa, contributing to their continued international success.
Born in Antigua, West Indies, Richardson relocated to London in 1959 and became active in the capital’s thriving late-1960s music scene before turning professional in 1971. As a founding member of Osibisa, he was central to the creation of the band’s distinctive fusion of African highlife, Caribbean rhythms, rock and jazz. He performed extensively on their formative and most influential recordings, including their debut album Osibisa (1971) and Woyaya (1971), and contributed to their international touring success throughout the 1970s. The band achieved global recognition and chart success, notably with the hit single Sunshine Day, and are widely regarded as one of the most important groups in establishing Afro-rock and helping lay the foundations for the emergence of world music as an international genre.
In addition to his work with Osibisa, Richardson released his solo album Pieces of a Jigsaw in 1973 and led several subsequent musical projects, while continuing to perform internationally. This 1956 Gibson Les Paul Custom remained one of his principal instruments throughout his career, used extensively both live and in the studio over more than five decades, and stands as an instrument closely associated with his recorded output and performing legacy.