Les Paul: The Original Guitar Hero

Les Paul, the man who helped invent rock and roll, died on August 13 at aged 94. Paul dedicated his entire life to the guitar and recording technology. A jazz musician who was unhappy with the guitars available to him, Paul developed his own guitar in the 1930s called "The Log." It was no more than a piece of lumber with strings and a pick-up. It ultimately became the "Les Paul" and the choice of a generation of rock guitarists from Pete Townshend to Slash.

By the late 1940s, Paul's tinkering in the studio led him to creating the first multi-track recordings. Then in 1951, he became a Number 1 recording artist with the single “How High the Moon,” performed with his wife, Mary Ford. And while the song is good - really good - the track is historic for another reason: it was the first use of tape delay and close mic-ing vocals which Paul created using gear he bought from Bing Crosby.

See Les talk about multi-track recording and perform "How High the Moon" with Mary Ford

Paul continued to record, invent, and play until the end. Well into his eighties, he played two weekly New York shows with his Les Paul Trio, at The Iridium Jazz Club in New York City with guests like Paul McCartney and Keith Richards sitting in with him.

Les Paul 's legacy is perhaps best personified by the institutions who have honored him. The restless musican and inventor has been inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Grammy Hall of Fame. Pretty good for a dude who started out a harmonica player and went by the name Rhubarb Red.

Here are two rock and roll moments which could not have happened without the Les Paul courtesy of The Who and Guns N' Roses. Enjoy and play them loud.

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Comments

[snoopjohnny]

Yes, okay....the article doesn't delve into the vast (and interesting) mythology of the "Les Paul" guitar or the guy's amazing history as both a player and the "Thomas Edison" of electronic music. But I'm glad somebody got a piece on the man in HP today. I've spent many years onstage with these guitars on my shoulder, enjoying the wonderful sound and feel of a very cool instrument singing through a hot tube amp (and Les Pauls are pretty heavy!). Like the guitar, his innovations have since become standard elements in popular music.

But most folks just won't appreciate the importance of his role in humbucking pickups or breakthroughs in tape delay effects or other studio/recording firsts. He seemed to be kind of a regular guy, more interested in tinkering to get some elusive sound or jamming with friends than being a star. One of a kind fellow. He'll be missed......

[monsieurjac]

You have a point Loki.

[loki]

the writer of this so called article about les paul obviously knows less about les paul than my 6 year old daughter does.

[JustinAddison]

Great salute to a great man.