VAN HALEN, AEROSMITH, GUNS N' ROSES, KISS Members Pay Tribute To LES PAUL

Former and current members of GUNS N' ROSES, VAN HALEN, AEROSMITH,KISS, SKID ROW, TESTAMENT, ZZ TOP and BLACKFOOT have paid tribute to music icon Les Paul, just hours after news broke that the electric-guitar pioneer had died at age 94 of complications from pneumonia.

Ace Frehley (KISS): "The music industry has lost a giant! I'm very saddened by the news of Les Paul's passing. I was lucky enough to have known Les as a friend, and admired him as a musician and innovator. He forever changed the way we listen to music."

Slash (GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER): "Les Paul was a shining example of how full one's life can be. He was so vibrant and full of positive energy. I'm honored and humbled to have known and played with him over the years. He was an exceptionally brilliant man."

Joe Satriani (CHICKENFOOT): "Les Paul set a standard for musicianship and innovation that remains unsurpassed. He was the original guitar hero and the kindest of souls. Last October, I joined him onstage at the Iridium club in New York City, and he was still shredding. He was, and still is, an inspiration to us all."

Steve Vai: "What a wonderfully historical figure he was. A genius innovator. I feel so fortunate to have performed with him twice. He was charming, funny and loved the instrument with a deep passion. Most people do not understand the tremendous contribution he made to the electric guitar and contemporary recording techniques. If it was not for Les Paul, we may all be playing acoustic guitars and recording in mono."

John 5 (ROB ZOMBIE, MARILYN MANSON): "Les Paul gave me one of the best days of my life when I got to play with him at his club in New York City. He was the one that told me to go solo and make guitar records. This is a great loss. My thoughts go out to his family and to everybody who was touched and influenced by him."

Joe Perry (AEROSMITH): "As a guitarist and a fan of music in general, I know the amazing contributions Les Paul made in his lifetime to the art of making music. He was a true genius. The few times that I had met him, he made me feel like I had known him forever. He was always sharp, ready to rock and he was always talking about his next gig. Knowing that he is not walking the earth anymore is sad and I have lost a friend. But every time I pick up a guitar, I'll know that his spirit is alive and well right next to me."

Eddie Van Halen (VAN HALEN): "Les Paul was a pioneer, an innovator and a dear friend. I am deeply saddened at the news of his passing. It was truly an honor to have known him and sit around with him talking guitars. I am especially glad that he, my son Wolfgang and I had a chance to spend some quality time together in the past few years. I will miss him dearly."

Richie Sambora (BON JOVI): "Les lived a very long life and he got to a lot of his goals, so I'm happy for him in that respect. At least he realized that he was a legend in his own time while he was alive. He was revolutionary in the music business."

Paul Stanley (KISS): "The name Les Paul is iconic and is known by aspiring and virtuoso guitar players worldwide. That guitar is the cornerstone of a lot of great music that has been made in the last 50 years."

Billy Gibbons (ZZ TOP): "Les Paul brought six strings to electricity and electricity to six strings. Les Paul was an innovator, a groundbreaker, a risk taker, a mentor and a friend. Try to imagine what we'd be doing if he hadn't come along and changed the world. There will always be more Les to come. That's certified."

Tom Morello (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE): "RIP, Les Paul — thank you for the instruments that changed the course of music. If you have ever 'rocked' or 'been rocked,' you can thank Les Paul."

Brian "Head" Welch (KORN): "I played a Les Paul when I was first learning how to play guitar and the sound always stayed with me. I'm sure because of that particular sound, Les Paul became a pioneer in the music industry. Some of rock's most influential licks were born on his instruments. He'll always be remembered."

Rickey Medlocke (BLACKFOOT, LYNYRD SKYNYRD): "I'm so thankful that this guy was such an incredible genius for developing such a great guitar. I am a third-generation Gibson user and I always will be. God bless Les Paul."

Wes Scantlin (PUDDLE OF MUDD): "Les and I have the same birthday. It is an honor to have been born on the same day as such a genius guitarist, innovator and human being."

Gilby Clarke (GUNS N' ROSES): "Sad day today; the great Les Paul died. He was 94 years young and invented the Les Paul guitar, the greatest guitar ever made."

Alex Skolnick (TESTAMENT): "Les Paul was very rare in the music biz: creative, successful and famous but a great guy right up 'til the end. Thanks for everything, Les."

Billy Morrison (CAMP FREDDY, THE CULT): "Rest in peace, Les Paul. Your artistry and design changed my life, millions of others, and the sound of music as we know it today."

Sebastian Bach (SKID ROW): "RIP, Les Paul. Got to meet you and see you jam with Slash and Mike Monroe. No one could have ever rocked without Les Paul, or a Les Paul."

Pictured below is Les Paul with Ace Frehley.

(Thanks: Fullshred)