UNEARTHED 'BURST

This undocumented one-owner vintage Les Paul recently arrived at Vintage 'n' Rare Guitars from South Africa. We take 'Sunny' for a spin...

- Huw Price

Last year, an undocumented 1960 Les Paul Standard miraculously appeared from the West Midlands. When we interviewed Joe Bonamassa about his latest purchase, he assured us “these under-the-bed guitars are usually pristine. And they’re still around, you know.” Well, Joe called it right because another unknown ’Burst recently turned up at Vintage ‘n’ Rare Guitars in Bath.

Life Partner

Henry Sylvester Andrew was never a famous rock star, but throughout his life he remained a one-guitar guy. That guitar just happened to be the Les Paul Standard he had long admired through the window of his local guitar store, Barrie’s Music in Durban, South Africa. Knowing it was his dream guitar, Henry’s wife paid the deposit as a gift soon after their marriage in 1959.

Henry began his career teaching English and history, but the school quickly appointed him to the role of music teacher. In 1977 he took up a new position, teaching children with additional medical, sensory and physical needs. He would arrange concerts for assemblies, parent days, Christmas and Easter events, always using his Les Paul. Henry’s family describe him as quiet and shy, but he loved performing in the church choir and played lead guitar with his band The Moonglows.