Bluebear Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 "Legendary guitarist Les Paul, who pioneered designs of electric guitars and helped usher in the birth of rock and roll, has died aged 94.He died of complications from pneumonia at a New York hospital, his lawyer Michael Braunstein said.Paul had been a dominant force in the music business since the Second World War.He and wife Mary Ford enjoyed a string of hits in the 1940s and 1950s that included Mockin' Bird Hill and How High the Moon.A passionate tinkerer, he created one of the first solid-body electric guitars in 1941, and went on to pioneer multi-track recording.Paul played a key role in the birth of rock and roll in the early 1950s when he teamed up with Gibson.The groundbreaking design became the template for the manufacturer's best-selling electric - the Les Paul model.Introduced in 1952, the instrument continues to be held in the highest esteem.Fans include the likes of Slash, Pete Townshend and Jimmy Page.Paying tribute, Stoke-on-Trent-born 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."Jazz guitarist Pat Metheny added: "It is hard to over-estimate the impact that Les Paul has had on our culture."Although he started out as a jazz guitarist, Paul's experiments with multi-track recording revolutionised music.After leaving school at 17, he found work in radio bands under the stage name of Rhubarb Red and by 1934 he was in Chicago doing both jazz and hillbilly acts.His achievements came in spite of injuries sustained in a car accident in Oklahoma in 1948.His right arm and elbow were shattered but he convinced doctors to set his broken arm in the guitar-strumming and cradling position.Paul had also survived an earlier near-death experience when he almost electrocuted himself during an experimental session in the cellar of his Queens apartment in 1940.He 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."(From http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20090813/twl-le...g-3fd0ae9.html)All I can say is rest in peace. Without him, the music industry, even the world, would not be what it is today. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LukeSR Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 RIP Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nanglebadger Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 wow, hadn't heard about this.Paul is the man responsible for John 5 going solo, and anyone familiar with John's solo work will appreciate how wise Les paul's encouragement turned out to be!RIP Les Paul, I hope to one day own a fully-fledged Gibson Les Paul.Phil. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve GT Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 94? thats a good age thoughRIP man Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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