R.I.P. Les Paul

[samplegirl]

August 13th, 2009, 1:43 PM EDT
Les Paul invented the solid body electric guitar and innovated with multi-track recording so artists could play more than one instrument and overdub their voices.



A tinkerer and musician since childhood, he experimented with guitar amplification for years before coming up in 1941 with what he called “The Log,” a four-by-four piece of wood strung with steel strings.



“I went into a nightclub and played it. Of course, everybody had me labeled as a nut.” He later put the wooden wings onto the body to give it a tradition guitar shape.



Paul, born Lester William Polfus, was 94. With his then-wife Mary Ford, he had hits such as “How High the Moon” and “Vaya Con Dios.”




Here is a performance from the Colgate Comedy Hour in September, 1950.

[SteveM]

1. Oh, too bad...

I remember my Mom singing those two songs you mentioned. When I was a kid in the 50s this started me listening to up-tempo music that would become rock 'n' roll. Great influence.

[zbdent]

2. now that is a person who impacted the world ...

:cry:

[BuddyBoy]

3. Les Paul: 94 forever

Vaya Con Dios, Mr. Paul.

[Berry Cool]

4. Here's a link to a nice story about the Les Paul tribute show last November

at Cleveland's State Theater:

http://www.cleveland.com/music/index.ssf/2008/11/guitar_stars_pay_tribute_to_le.html

Includes pictures. I couldn't get a ticket but I wish I had.

Everyone who gets a chance should go to the Rock Hall and listen to his recordings and watch some of the videos from the early days. Gives you a true feel for how unique that electric guitar sound truly was.

[FourScore]

5. Where's the link? Wanna see! n/t

[samplegirl]

7. sorry fourscore here it is.

http://www.alan.com/

[sellitman]

6. Guess I should have bought that Les Paul for my son years ago.

It's value will sky rocket now.


RIP

[immoderate]

8. I used to run home from school to see the Les Paul/Mary Ford at Home Show on TV.

In the 90's, I'd go to see Les at Fat Tuesday's on Monday nights, later moved to Iridium. He signed my Firebrand guitar.

He is well represented on recordings, but try to locate some of the Jazz at the Philharmonic stuff he recorded in the late 40's w/ Illinois Jacquette as leader and Nat King Cole on piano. :)

--imm