Les Paul, an American Innovator (June 9, 1915 – August 13, 2009)

Les Paul passed away on August 13, 2009 at 94 years old. Many of us know Les Paul as the name on a famous guitar, but Les Paul was much more than that…he is widely considered to be the inventor of the guitar that paved the way for rock 'n' roll.

It all started when Paul became dissatisfied with acoustic guitars. Paul started experimenting with mounting various microphones inside the body of acoustic guitars. Paul’s acoustic electric prototypes had problems with feedback. In 1939, Paul created what is famously known as “The Log.” “The log” was a 4X4 piece of lumber with a bridge, guitar neck, and a pickup attached. The solid body and pickup eliminated feedback problems and created greater sustain than any of his acoustic prototypes.

Paul approached Gibson with his electric guitar design, but Gibson did not show any interest. When Fender produced their electric guitar, Gibson then signed an exclusive agreement with Paul introducing the “Les Paul standard.” The interesting thing about the contract was that Paul could only be seen playing his Gibson guitar.

Paul was also known as a guitar virtuoso in his own right. Paul’s playing style, in particular his timing, twills; chord voicings all had a profound influence on future guitarists. Paul was so dedicated to playing the guitar that after a car accident damaged his right arm, Paul asked the doctor to set his arm at a 90 degree angle so he could cradle and strum the guitar.

Les Paul was a recording star. Paul had a string of hits in the late 1940s with wife Mary Ford including Mockin’ Bird Hill" (#3, 1951), "How High the Moon" (#1, 1951), "The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise" (#3, 1951), and "Vaya Con Dios" (#1, 1953). These recordings were among the earliest multitracked pop songs. Paul also had some instrumental hits on his own: "Nola" (#9, 1950), "Whispering" (#7, 1951), "Tiger Rag" (#6, 1952), and "Meet Mister Callaghan" (#5, 1952).

Besides being a guitar virtuoso, and recording star, Paul is also credited with creating multitrack-recording, overdubbing, tape delay, and phasing effects. Paul’s innovations revolutionized the recording industry.

There is little doubt about the profound influence Les Paul had on the evolution of rock n Roll.

Here are some of the famous artists known for playing Les Paul’s guitar:

Slash: Guns N’ Roses’ former guitarist
Jimmy Page: Led Zeppelin
Randy Rhoads: Guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne
Zakk Wylde: Guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne
Ace Frehley: Guitarist for KISS
Duane Allman: The Allman Brothers
Eric Clapton: Clapton experimented with different styles of guitars throughout his four-decade-long career, his time with the Yardbirds were defined by his use of the Les Paul.
Pete Townshend: The Who
Bob Marley: Bob Marley and the Wailers

Billie Joe Armstrong: Green Day