Les Paul, father of the electric guitar, dies aged 94

[Mentors]

Les Paul, the "father of the electric guitar", has died aged 94.

 

Paul's Gibson Guitar, created in 1952, became one of the most widely used guitars in the music industry, with The Who's Pete Townshend, Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix and former Guns N' Roses lead guitarist Slash, among those who played it.

 

Originally a jazz guitarist, his experiments with multi-track recording were seen as key to the birth of rock and roll.

The musician, who was still performing regularly in Manhattan not long before his death, died yesterday of complications relating to pneumonia while at a New York hospital. His family and friends were by his side.

 

Born Lester William Polsfuss, in Wisconsin in 1915, Paul invented the "The Log", a four-by-four solid piece of wood strung with steel strings, in 1941.

 

After modifying the instrument's shape to make it look more traditional, the guitar began to gain fans, with Gibson Guitars producing the Les Paul guitar in 1952.

Paul was also a successful artist from the 1930s to his twilight years, while he continued to create new recording methods.

With his wife Mary Ford on vocals, Paul had a number of hits in the late 1940s and 1950s, gaining 11 number ones in the USA. He was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the National Inventors Hall of Fame, and the National Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

 

In February 2006, while in hospital, he learned he had won two Grammys for Les Paul & Friends: American Made, World Played, an album released after his 90th birthday.

 

Paying tribute to the guitarist, Slash said: "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 honoured and humbled to have known and played with him over the years, he was an exceptionally brilliant man."

 

Dave Berryman, President of Gibson Guitar, said: "I don't think any words can describe the man we know as Les Paul adequately. The English language does not contain words that can pay enough homage to someone like Les.

 

"As the 'Father of the Electric Guitar,' he was not only one of the world's greatest innovators but a legend who created, inspired and contributed to the success of musicians around the world."

 

Paul is survived by his three sons Lester, Gene and Robert, his daughter Colleen Wess, son-in-law Gary Wess, long time friend Arlene Palmer, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

 

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/6024134/Les-Paul-father-of-the-electric-guitar-dies-aged-94.html

 

 

[CTO]

So who was Mr Gibson?

[TroyinEwa/Perv]

The Les Paul model was the result of a design collaboration between Gibson Guitar Corporation and pop star, electronics inventor, and accomplished jazz guitarist Les Paul.

 

Per Wiki

[CTO]

So Mr Gibson suitar?tarted Gibson G

[TroyinEwa/Perv]

Yes......Orville Gibson incorporated Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Mfg. Co, Ltd. in 1902. You winding me up or what??

[CTO]

So when did he die?

[TroyinEwa/Perv]

1918.....probably a good chance Orville and Les never met.

[CTO]

Was his wife related to the Car company?

[TroyinEwa/Perv]

No, Mary's father was a minister and not named Henry. She was a singer.

[CTO]

Mary was a swinger? Coo - those muso's!