Peter Frampton will be presented with the Les Paul Innovation Award in January during the annual NAMM Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards in Anaheim, CA. The prestigious award is given to individuals who “set the highest standards of excellence in the creative application of recording technology” and  “personify the innovative thinking of Les Paul, the Father of Modern of Music.”

“It is a distinct honor to receive the Les Paul Innovation Award,” said the Grammy winner in a statement. “I would say that many of my career highlights occurred while holding an instrument in my hands that bears Les Paul’s name. I was lucky enough to know him personally, and I owe him so much. He was a wonderful character as well as a genius! An incredible guitar player as well as the inventor of so much music technology. Les changed the way we record forever. I can only hope that I’ve been able to make a fraction of the positive impact that Les Paul made in his iconic career.”

“Peter Frampton remains one of the most skillful and celebrated artists in rock history. He also was a friend of Les Paul’s and has played a pivotal role in helping the Foundation keep Les’s legacy alive,” shared Michael Braunstein, Executive Director of The Les Paul Foundation. “Like Les, he is an undeniable master of his instrument and in many ways ahead of his time. We are honored to have Peter join the impressive list of Les Paul Innovation Award recipients.”

Jackson Browne received the award in 2017.

Peter Frampton began his career at the age of 16, and by the age of 18, he had co-founded Humble Pie, one of the first supergroups. Now 68, he recently celebrated the 42nd anniversary of Frampton Comes Alive!, an album that remains one of the top-selling live records of all time.

Les Paul invented the solid body electric guitar, multi-track recording, overdubbing, echo, reverb and numerous other recording techniques. Without Les Paul, the music industry would not be what it is today. He is often called the “Father of Modern Music,” “The Wizard of Waukesha” and even the “Thomas Edison of Music.”

Backstage Access: My New Les Paul – A Personal Journey