Les Paul Monument Unveiled in Waukesha

Two years after his death, Les Paul’s family and friends will gathered at on Saturday to dedicate his gravesite memorial.

The event provided the first glimpse of the 500-square foot granite monument and a chance to hear Les Paul’s family and close friends recount moments with the famous guitar player and inventor, according to a press release from the Les Paul Foundation.

After viewing several proposals, the Les Paul Estate commissioned Rock of Ages of Barre, Vermont to design, build and install the granite memorial. Ford Construction of Waukesha laid the foundation and New Eden Landscape Architecture of Milwaukee designed the landscaping.

Visitors can walk into the monument to read about Paul. Granite slabs containing Paul’s biography and a list of his most significant awards encircle benches for visitors. Paul, who chose the hometown location, directed that his mother be laid next to him. While choosing the site, Paul said he hoped the site would be a place where his family, friends and fans could sit and reflect.

“The memorial shares Les’ legacy with all who visit the site. We are very pleased with how everything looks. Les chose to be in Waukesha. We know the people of his hometown will cherish this site as Les Paul cherished his hometown,” said Michael Braunstein, executive director of the Les Paul Foundation, in a news release.