RIP Les Paul

Posted by | August 13, 2009 13:43 | Filed under: Top Stories


Les Paul invented the solid body electric guitar and innovated with multi-track recording so artists could play more than one instrument and overdub their voices.

 

A tinkerer and musician since childhood, he experimented with guitar amplification for years before coming up in 1941 with what he called “The Log,” a four-by-four piece of wood strung with steel strings.

 

“I went into a nightclub and played it. Of course, everybody had me labeled as a nut.” He later put the wooden wings onto the body to give it a tradition guitar shape.

 

Paul, born Lester William Polfus, was 94. With his then-wife Mary Ford, he had hits such as “How High the Moon” and “Vaya Con Dios.”


Here is a performance from the Colgate Comedy Hour in September, 1950.


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Copyright 2009 Liberaland
By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.

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