Charlie Starr played Gary Rossington's 61' Freebird Les Paul/SG last night in Florida!!

[CMExchange]

So last night we were lucky enough to participate in a beautiful thing..... The Rossington Family had asked us to help them curate Gary's guitar collection to further his performing and song writing legacy for future generations to experience. And central to that journey is bringing out his most iconic instruments for artists to use in live performances. Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke was gracious enough to agree to be the first person to ever play Gary's 1961 Gibson Les Paul/SG, known worldwide as the "Freebird" guitar, at his performance in St. Augustine Florida last night. The Rossington Family was with us all night and we were only a stone's throw from Gary's final resting place so the stage was set for an incredible evening. I'm not sure that anyone in the building didn't have chills once those first notes were hit. Here is a link to the performance and we will have more from the evening coming out on social media thru the weekend.

Here is the link to the performance.

 

[jb_abides]

Performed with humility and utmost respect, great job.

Wonderful occasion... bless all involved.

Thanks CME, Blackberry Smoke, and especially Charlie!

 

[CMExchange]

Watch more from the show by clicking here

 

[garywright]

The Hat

 

[rockabilly69]

So last night we were lucky enough to participate in a beautiful thing..... The Rossington Family had asked us to help them curate Gary's guitar collection to further his performing and song writing legacy for future generations to experience. And central to that journey is bringing out his most iconic instruments for artists to use in live performances. Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke was gracious enough to agree to be the first person to ever play Gary's 1961 Gibson Les Paul/SG, known worldwide as the "Freebird" guitar, at his performance in St. Augustine Florida last night. The Rossington Family was with us all night and we were only a stone's throw from Gary's final resting place so the stage was set for an incredible evening. I'm not sure that anyone in the building didn't have chills once those first notes were hit. Here is a link to the performance and we will have more from the evening coming out on social media thru the weekend.

Here is the link to the performance.

Tuesday's gone sure gave me the chills!

 

[AA00475Bassman]

Really fantastic !

 

[bluesky636]

Deleted

 

[garywright]

 

[AA00475Bassman]

Why is this in the 1952 to 1960 Les Paul pub and not in the 1961 to 1969 SG and Les Paul pub where it belongs?

Hey Im not Doofy - can you guys wait up its hard to keep up in this position !

 

[garywright]

gonna get out my vacuum and clean some house

 

[bluesky636]

I'll keep your comments in mind the next time I post something in the wrong pub and get a ration of $hit from everyone.

 

[Sybex7254]

It was a great night of music!

 

[Bruce R]

Charlie & band are simply amazing. Wow

I do have a question as to why this '62 SG is considered "the" Freebird SG? Was this '62 the one he recorded to song with? On all the live videos I looked at (including the last time he played with the band) Gary was using a '63/'64 SG, with the arm removed and some with a Schaller 70's bridge instead of the ABR-1. Any thoughts?

 

[jb_abides]

Charlie & band are simply amazing. Wow

I do have a question as to why this '62 SG is considered "the" Freebird SG? Was this '62 the one he recorded to song with? On all the live videos I looked at (including the last time he played with the band) Gary was using a '63/'64 SG, with the arm removed and some with a Schaller 70's bridge instead of the ABR-1. Any thoughts?

He recorded the intro slide solo on it.

 

[Sybex7254]

Charlie & band are simply amazing. Wow

I do have a question as to why this '62 SG is considered "the" Freebird SG? Was this '62 the one he recorded to song with? On all the live videos I looked at (including the last time he played with the band) Gary was using a '63/'64 SG, with the arm removed and some with a Schaller 70's bridge instead of the ABR-1. Any thoughts?

From what I understand, it wasn't necessarily "the guitar" that was used on the recording, but one of several Gary had owned and played. Alan Paul (the Author) posted this on FB and questions were raised about the guitar. So from what I have seen (and I was at the show) CME had 2 of Gary's guitars there. this '61 and a 70's with Harmonica bridge (this one I have seen many pictures of Gary playing over the years.

There was also a '62 (I believe) that wasn't at the show but CME has a picture of it on their Instagram page.

Alan Paul even posted Charlie's response to the two guitar questions...

So this may explain why the '61 was used instead of the more commonly known SG's. Either way it sounded great in Charlie's hands!

 

[CMExchange]

It was a great night of music!

Great pics!!

 

[Bruce R]

Charlie makes anything sound great! If he can get tone out of that Black Junior he can get tone out of anything!

 

[Coachmoe]

This is an interesting topic. Most of the pics that I recall seeing of Gary were of the 61 Les Paul SG. I never heard about the 70’s with the harmonica bridge until recently. I would be interested in seeing close up pics of how the strings anchor into the Maestro tailpiece.