In 1949 20-year-old Bob Crowley strolled from his Coast Guard station in Atlantic City to a little restaurant where he convinced a waitress -- a schoolgirl from Pennsylvania named Shirley -- to go on a date with him. They took in a show at the Steel Pier headlined by Les Paul and Mary Ford. They fell in love and had three kids.

Last year I met Les Paul at one of his shows at NYC's Iridium Club and told him that story, and he signed a photo for our Mom. I gave him an original copy of a set of 78 rpm records he made for W C Fields in 1946, and had him sign an extra copy for myself. The records were the last performance by Fields, who died later that year, and one of the first projects Paul tackled on his new recording equipment, which would go on to revolutionize the recording industry. He was tickled to receive the records and kept me there for a chat, much to the irritation of dozens of other fans waiting to say hello to him.

He invited me up to his place in Mahwah for an interview for my website but with his declining health it was pushed back a few times, and I'm sorry I didn't get to spend a bit more time with him. Les Paul died today at 94.

He was an extraordinarily natural and friendly guy, not to mention a musical pioneer of the highest order, and we will miss him. RIP, Les Paul.

John, Thank you for sharing that story with all of us. It is very touching - and very romantic!

Johnny, that's a great story, did you ever get that interview and if so were can I find it.

Never did get to sit down with him, Tony. Time ran out.

""EXCELLENT" Johnny.......