RIP Les Paul (1915-2009)

[Ronbo]

Lost another great one...

Probably the most unrecongnized influance in the music industry, inventor of over-dubbing, the solid body electric guitar, multi-track recording. A true pioneer in every sense. Not to mention one of our finest musicians who still preformed on stage almost every weekend.

Think I'll pull out my '78 "The Les Paul" tonight and attempt a fitting tribute.

Vaya con dios, Les...

[4pipes]

What a great inventor/musician. One of my favorite albums was "Chester and Lester". He of course was accompanied by the great Chet Atkins.

[elmariachi]

It would take pages here to list out all the artists whose sounds were made possible by the Les Paul guitar. Its literally from A to Z: (Chet Atkins to ZZ Top). There is not one single instrument that has had such an impact on contemporary music. The cool part is that over a 50 year span, an average guy has been able to walk into a music store in Anywhere USA, lay down the cash, and walk out with the EXACT same production line Les Paul guitar played by all the greats. Even if he were an average player, he could take it onstage in a local club and be a rock star for a night.

The Les Paul is the hammer that drives the nail. It is to guitars what the FE is to Cobras. And Mr. Les Paul was to music what Henry Ford was to American industry. R.I.P. Les Paul.

[rustyBob]

this is the day the music died...............Les Paul............

[Maurice Johnson]

To-night, with a glass of wine, light a candle, play his music--and tell me you are not moved to a better place?

[rabbit1340]

One of the first great songs I remember as a kid was Les Paul and Mary Ford How High The Moon.