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Guitar Legend Les Paul Dies at 94

Guitar legend Les Paul has died due to complications from pneumonia. In addition to an incredibly successful recording -- both as a solo artist and with his wife, Mary Ford -- Paul is best known as the inventor of the electric guitar and multitrack recording. He was 94.

Born Lester William Polsfuss (later Polfus) on June 9, 1915, in Waukesha, Wis., Paul was a natural musician, playing harmonica and guitar. After breaking in on Chicago radio, Paul moved to New York, where he played with Louis Armstrong, Art Tatum and Charlie Christian, the jazz guitarist who played a hollow-body instrument with a pickup. In the early '30s, Paul built his own pickup from radio and telephone parts. By 1941, he had designed his prototypical solid-body guitar with a bridge, neck and pickup attached to a slab of 4x4 fencepost. He called it "The Log."

After serving in the military during World War II, he settled in Los Angeles, where he built a home studio sponsored by Bing Crosby, whom Paul would accompany on 'It's Been a Long, Long Time,' a No. 1 hit in 1945. He began experimenting with a crude form of multitrack recording, using wax disks to add layers of his own self-accompaniment. In 1948, he convinced Capitol Records to release a single using this technique, 'Lover,' which reached No. 21. Despite suffering a near-fatal car accident in 1948, he recorded 13 more solo Top 40 instrumentals through 1953.


In late 1950, Paul released 'Tennessee Waltz,' his first of several big hits with his new bride and duet partner, the singer Mary Ford. Another single, 'How High the Moon,' was a major success, holding at No. 1 for nine weeks. Gibson introduced its Les Paul model guitar in 1952, which quickly became known for its "fat" tone and live pickup, characteristics that distinguished it from Leo Fender's competing guitars. Other than a brief falling-out in the 1960s, Paul's endorsement of Gibson products continued through the rest of his life.

With their run of chart success over, Paul and Ford divorced in 1963 (Ford, born Colleen Summers, died in 1977). Paul effectively dropped out of the public eye, reappearing with a pair of albums with his old friend, Chet Atkins, in the 1970s. A television documentary called 'The Wizard of Waukesha' helped revive interest in Paul's career, and in 1984, he began a long-running, star-studded weekly residency in New York City. He received the Grammy Trustees Award in 1983 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an Early Influence in 1988.

Without Paul's remarkable achievements, Keith Richards once said, "generations of flash little punks like us would be in jail or cleaning toilets." Paul's signature Gibson guitar has been the favored instrument of Slash, Jimmy Page, Billie Joe Armstrong and countless other rock musicians.

According to the Associated Press, Paul passed away at White Plains Hospital surrounded by family and friends. A private funeral will be held soon in New York, with a public memorial likely happening soon.

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Remembering Les Paul and His Guitars
Rock 'n' roll icon Les Paul passed away at the age of 94 in New York.

His innovations redefined the sound of music history, one decibel at a time.
Richard Drew, AP
Richard Drew, AP

Remembering Les Paul

    Les Paul rehearses at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City in on October 4, 2004. Twice every Monday night, the renown musician, also known for his innovations on the solid-body electric guitar and multitrack recording, performed onstage with his trio. "It's quite a challenge but I enjoy it," the Waukesha, Wis. native said from the stage that night.

    Richard Drew, AP

    Music legends Les Paul and B.B. King put their heads together during a jam session at the third anniversary celebration of the B.B. King Blues Club and Grill in New York City's Times Square. Paul holds King's signature "Lucille" guitar, which he played. June 17, 2003

    Richard Drew, AP

    Paul McCartney tries out a custom-made left handed "Les Paul Lite" guitar presented to him by Paul, left, in New York City. May 3, 1988

    AP

    President Bush presents the 2007 National Medals of Arts to guitar pioneer Les Paul during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C. November 15, 2007

    Gerald Herbert, AP

    Slash and Les Paul at the Gibson Guitars Honors Rock 'N Roll Legend Les Paul for a 50th Anniversary Celebration. August 13, 2001

    RJ Capak, WireImage

    Les Paul and Eddie Van Halen pose together. January 1, 1988

    Ebet Roberts, Redferns

    U2 guitarist the Edge performs with a Les Paul guitar during the 13th Annual MusiCares Person Of The Year tribute at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. February 21, 2003

    Frank Micelotta, Getty Images

    Aerosmith lead guitarist Joe Perry plays a Les Paul guitar at the United We Stand concert at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. October 21, 2001

    Paul J. Richards, AFP / Getty Images

    Randy Rhodes plays a Gibson Les Paul guitar during a live performance with Ozzy Osbourne. October 20, 1980

    Fin Costello, Redferns

    Neil Young, playing a Gibson Les Paul guitar, smiles while performing during the Live Aid concert for famine relief at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, PA. July 13, 1985

    George Widman, AP

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ai bo li

Great series of blogs, inspired by the "overrated" Justin. Right on, Justin!.... I suppose God was a little overrated too? I mean, if he hadn't done it in 7 days, some other guy would have come along and invented cretins like you anyway.... But you do have a function, I suppose, in providing others with morally and intellectually superior faculties a sense of relative superiority - even if we are too modest to admit it in public! (Har har!...)

August 18 2009 at 6:25 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Diana

I feel as if I've lost a family member. It is amazing how one life can effect so many so strongly. Not only was Les an inspiration for musicians all over the world, his personal story of triumph over tragedy in inspiring. Thank you, Les, and thanks for inspiring me to be the best Music educator I can be. I have been sharing Les story with my students for years and will continue.

August 15 2009 at 8:49 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
roger

when i was just a kid in the 1950's i remember their music wow!! les had more talent in his finger nails than micheal jackson could ever dream of having in his whole body. lets see if thrr media will cover les for weeks on end

August 14 2009 at 12:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mark Z

Justin,

What have you contributed to society?

Much much less than Les Paul I am sure!

August 14 2009 at 8:57 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Doug kerley

A master, inventor and above all a big thanks to the man with vision.

August 14 2009 at 5:37 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
George K. King'oriah

All the way from Kenya (Tigania West) I heard and read about Les Paul in the 1950s. Even now, I have a few of his records (with Mary Ford). I have always admired his guitar innovations and I hope one of these days I shall be able to own and play a "Les Paul Guitar".

I am so sad we have lost such an international "natural resource". He has done more for rock music than Michael Jackson.

To both families, My sincerest condolences.

August 14 2009 at 3:21 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tricia

WOW!!! 94 Years of life what a way to live life as a Rock n Roll legend and great inventor.

August 14 2009 at 2:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Michael

The rock, blues, R&B, and jazz world has lost a true musical giant, and an inspiration to generations of musicians. Without Les Paul's innovations music might be far different today than it is. When it comes to the guitar, Les Paul was among the very best. Rest in Peace, Mr. Paul. You have earned it.

August 14 2009 at 2:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
donkeybrew4u

Justin... If You knew what you were talking about, you might actually be dangerous! w/o Les paul, we would be w/o an awesome human and an AWESOME guitar.

August 14 2009 at 12:47 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rob

Interesting that no one mentioned that Les spent his last 40 years in Mahwah, NJ.

August 14 2009 at 12:43 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply