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

(91)

Friday 14 August

By TRASH

Vote down Vote up Report this

I think Les is Steve Miller God Father.

By mochi

Les Paul is timeless. He's with the rest of the gods and will continue to create.

By AZ.VINNY

I GREW UP LISTENING TO LES PAUL, NOW 61 YEARS OLD. MY DAD A GUITAR INTRUCTOR HAD ALL HIS & MARY'S MUSIC. I USED TO DREAM OF PLAYING LIKE LES AND JUST LOVED LISTENING TO THOSE SOUNDS COMING FROM THAT INSTRUMENT. I WILL SURE MISS HIM.
PRAYERS TO THE FAMILY.

Sunday 16 August

By whataboutob

OBAMA LIER LIER. WHOS RUNNING THE COUTRY???? WHOS RUNNING THE COUTRY???? WHOS RUNNING THE COUTRY???? WHOS RUNNING THE COUTRY???? WHOS RUNNING THE COUTRY???? WHOS RUNNING THE COUTRY???? WHOS RUNNING THE COUTRY????

By Suzie

Wouldn't it be nice if the man that really invented the electric guitar, Harry DeArmond, was honored as well. But then I guess the real shakers and movers have always sat in the background and made it happen so that others could have their 10 minutes of fame. If you don't believe me look up Harry DeArmond on Wikipedia. I have 6 original patents that were issued to him and the original pickup ever made to prove my claims. Sorry, I won't miss Les Paul.

Its too bad there are people out there that make claims that they can't back up. I would like to see the patents Les Paul has on his invention. An article in Wikipedia states that Harry DeArmond holds patent rights on the electric guitar pickup. I am his daughter and know that to be true. I also know that he personally designed pickups for Les Paul in the early years. Some people do the work so that others can reap the fame and glory. My father chose to be a great dad and work in the background so that others could have their 10 minutes of fame. Sorry, I won't miss Les Paul or his music.

By whoareyou925

Is it wrong for a man like him to have sugar baby?? you know it is an absolutely extramarital relationship, but more and more services c ome out on Internet focusing on this kind of relationship..like !!!.----SugarsCupid. C O M----what will the world be??

By Twyla

I'm confused about why the media isn't covering the life of this great innovator. The recording industry and music in general would not be the same without Les Paul. He did more for the music industry than Michael Jackson ever did, but yet they are still airing the same stories about Michael Jackson every night. Give Les Paul the respect that he deserves. R.I.P. Les. You will be missed.

By vgkflc

Les Paul. Man thats as good as it gets.Thank brother,rest well my friend.

Monday 17 August

By larlekool

We all wanted Les Paul to never die, but to keep up his weekly gig in the big apple. I got a used '59 Les Paul special for Christmas in the early 60s. It's long gone. Les Paul has had a lot of influence on my life. His invention brought joy to players of all levels.

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