Guitar Icon, Innovator Les Paul Is Dead

By PopEater Staff Posted Aug 13th 2009 12:19PM

Les Paul, the guitarist and inventor who developed the solid-body electric guitar that made rock 'n' roll possible, died on Thursday in New York. He was 94. According to a tribute posted by Gibson Guitar, Paul died of complications from pneumonia at White Plains Hospital. His family and friends were by his side.

Paul's innovations include many of the ingredients of modern sound recording, including overdubbing, tape delay and multitrack recording techniques.

The Man

The Guitar

Many will say his crowning achievement was the very electric guitar that bears his name. The Les Paul, by Gibson, remains one of the most beloved and played models on the market, more than 50 years after its debut.

As a recording artist, Paul achieved the bulk of his chart success in the early 1950s alongside his wife, singer and guitarist Mary Ford. The husband-and-wife team scored more than a dozen top-ten hits, including 'Tenessee Waltz' and 'I'm Sitting On Top of the World.'

Execs at Gibson have already weighed in on the company's Web site.

"The world has lost a truly innovative and exceptional human being today. I cannot imagine life without Les Paul ... His musical charm was extraordinary and his techniques unmatched anywhere in the world." -- Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar.

"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." -- Dave Berryman, President of Gibson Guitar.

Comprehensive coverage on the great Les Paul, including an interview with the man himself, can be found @ Spinner.

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Recently Departed Music Stars

Les Paul, Aug. 13 **FILE**Les Paul rehearses at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York before his regular Monday night gig on Oct. 4, 2004. Twice every Monday night, the renown musician also known for his innovations on the solid body electric guitar and multitrack recording gets on stage with his trio at the club. "It's quite a challenge but I enjoy it," the Waukesha, Wis., native said. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Richard Drew, AP

Recently Departed Music Stars

Richard Drew, AP

Mike Seeger, Aug. 10 folk singer and auto-harp player as he entertained children on Children's Day at the Newport Folk Festival on July 20, 1966. The special programs were designed especially for children. Mike Seeger is a half-brother of famed folk singer Pete Seeger and a founding member of the folk group "The New Lost City Ramblers". (AP Photo/J. Walter Green)

J. Walter Green, AP

Billy Lee Riley, Aug. 2: Rockabilly innovator, songwriter and one-time Sun Records recording artist Billy Lee Riley died Sunday of colon cancer that had spread to the bone. Riley, 75, had been convalescing at a hospital in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Lici Beveridge, Jonesboro Sun / AP

Gordon Waller, July 19: As half of the pop duo Peter and Gordon, the dapper crooner landed hit after hit during the 1960s British Invasion, including the Paul McCartney-penned songs 'A World Without Love' and 'Nobody I Know.' Waller died at 64 of cardiovascular disease.

Jeremy Fletcher, Redferns / Getty Images

Michael Jackson, June 25: The "King of Pop" died after suffering cardiac arrest in Los Angeles just as he was preparing an ambitous comeback. The father of three was 50.

Rusty Kennedy, AP

Bob Bogle, June 14: The lead guitarist and co-founder of instrumental rock band the Ventures, died at age 75 in June 2009. Bogle suffered from Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma but survived long enough to see the group get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year.

Ebet Roberts, Getty Images

Barry Beckett, June 10: Producer and Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section keyboardist Barry Beckett died at his home in Hendersonville, Tenn. after a series of illnesses. He was 66.

Matt McKean, Times Daily

Hugh Hopper, June 7: The bassist for prog-rock pioneers Soft Machine passed away in Kent, England after a battle with leukemia. He was 64.

Keystone / Getty Images

Kenny Rankin, June 7: Singer-songwriter Kenny Rankin passed away at Los Angeles, Calif.'s Cedars Sinai hospital from complications of lung cancer. He was 69.

Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images

Jeff Hanson, June 5: Singer-songwriter and Kill Rock Stars recording artist Jeff Hanson, 31, was found dead in his apartment.

Jim Newberry

Tags: 1004392, les paul, LesPaul

Comments

(93)

Thursday 13 August

By junior

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Thanks for the music Les.

By gary

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ditto

By Betty Collins

Double Ditto. I've got cassette tapes of Les and Mary. My absolute favorite of all times is "People of Paris". I asked Santa for the box set 15 years ago, cd version, got my wish for that but wish I had gone to the Iridium to have him sign it! I'll settle with the great music!

By John

The world lost a forefather, innovator and creator. Les you will be missed, but will most certainly live on well beyond many lifetimes with your magnificent instrument which bears your name.. All the best to the family.

By LONGBOARDER0994

God Bless You, I know I will never sell mine.

By Steve M.

Had the great pleasure of meeting & watching him play at the Gibson Guitar Factory in Memphis, TN once. What an innovator!

By Diane

I know Les Paul and Emily Remler are jamming together now in pure bliss!

By winger

First electric guitar I ever owned was a Les Paul Standard. What a great guitar that was. Good night Les and thank you.

By Larry

my first guitar was a 1959 les paul starburst
and still sounds great!!!!

By gere

Like the rest of the proud owner of his namesake guitar I'd like to wish him and his family well. I hope Steve Miller does a tribute concert.

By Allight5

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I grew up with Les Paul and Mary Ford. I feel now as if my time has passed as well.

By bear

I never had the chance to meet him, I wish I could have. I just hope that he knew how much people loved him and the guitars he helped create.

Friday 14 August

By Sally

The world has lost a great musician. He will be missed by many. He lived a wonder life, and was playing the guitar up to the end. God Bless.

By joescaddy

'Vaya con Dios' Les. I played my 78 RPM copy of yours and Mary's hit from the early fifties as a fond good-bye.

By Gina

My favorte was "How High the Moon".

By timhoover

i wonder how long it will take for some blithering idiot to ask- who is this?, i never heard of him,well if you don't know who les paul was,then you better find out because your clueless!

By John M

I'm wondering if every news agency is going to report that he designed the Les Paul guitar (he didn't). So far every article I've seen has it wrong.

By hazy davey

a true genius and the nicest guy you could ever meet. back in the 70's I was working in a radio shack near his home in mahwah nj. he would come in two or three times a week buying transistors, diodes and all kinds of assorted electronic stuff. when i asked "what do you do with all this stuff," he said "just playing around with new ideas and re-working my old stuff" He was never too busy to talk to me about the old days. he knew everyone in the music business from Bing Crosby to Bruce Springsteen.

By C. Williams

Although "original" rock and roll existed before the electric guitar, Mr. Paul's innovation changed 'everything' in modern music and Chuck Berry, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton and a few choice others should do a tribute gig...........R.I.P. Mr. Paul.