FRANK'S THOUGHTS: R.I.P. Les Paul

August 13, 2009 at 2:13pm

Les Paul dead at 94...and I never saw him live, goddammit. Paul died Thursday, August 13, from complications from pneumonia. Paul invented the electric guitar and was a pioneer of multi-track recording. There would be no rock 'n' roll without Les Paul. The Gibson solid body that bears his name is the quintessential guitar.

Along with his wife, Mary Ford, he earned 36 gold records for hits including "Vaya Con Dios" and "How High the Moon." As a working guitarist, Paul sought to get more volume from the instrument, first by using parts from a telephone receiver, and later phonograph needles. So you can blame your ringing ears on him. Gibson began manufacturing Les Paul guitars in 1952, some that now fetch prices around $50,000.

And I never saw him live, goddammit.

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