Lester William Polsfuss, known as Les Paul (June 9, 1915 – August 13, 2009) was a musician and innovator. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar which “made the sound of rock and roll possible.”[1] He is credited with many recording innovations, including overdubbing (also known as sound on sound),[2] delay effects such as tape delay, phasing effects, and multitrack recording.[3]
His innovative talents extended into his playing style, including licks, trills, chording sequences, fretting techniques and timing, which set him apart from his contemporaries and inspired many of the guitarists of the present day.[4][5][6][7] He recorded with his wife Mary Ford in the 1950s and they sold millions of hit records.
Among his many honors, Les Paul is one of a handful of artists with a permanent, stand-alone exhibit in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. [8] He is prominently named by the music museum on their website as an “architect” and a “key inductee” along with Sam Phillips and Alan Freed.
from Wikipedia.com
Les Paul photographed circa 1935.
Les Paul photographed in the late 1940s
Les Paul photographed surrounded by guitars in the late 1940s
Les Paul in the studio with his wife and singer Mary Ford in the 1940s
Les Paul in his garage studio on March 14, 1946
Les Paul photographed with his wife Mary Ford in the early 1950s
Portrait of Les Paul circa 1970
Les Paul photographed at the Old Waldorf in San Francisco on November 20, 1976
Les Paul photographed with Peter Frampton at an event in New York City honoring Paul on November 11, 1981
Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin performs with Les Paul in 1987
Les Paul and Bo Diddley at Paul's 72nd birthday party at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City in June 1987
Les Paul and Eddie Van Halen photographed in 1988.
Les Paul photographed with B.B. King in New York City in 1988
Les Paul onstage at the Winter Garden on May 27, 1992 in New York City
Portrait of Les Paul in the 1990s
Slash and Les Paul pose for a photo on August 13, 2001 in New York City.
Les Paul and former President Bill Clinton at the 45th Grammy Awards on February 21, 2003 in Los Angeles.... is That whats her name???? no way!
Les Paul and Isaac Hayes greet each other at the 45th Grammy Awards on February 21, 2003 in Los Angeles.
Les Paul and Reverend Run at the Grammy Foundation and Edison Preservation Foundation's celebration of the 125th anniversary of the phonograph on February 19, 2003.
Les Paul and Tony Bennett arrive at the 45th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on February 21, 2003.
Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick photographed with Les Paul in Los Angeles, 2003.
Richie Sambora performs with Les Paul at the Songwriter's Hall of Fame on June 9, 2005.
Steven Van Zandt and Les Paul at the grand opening of the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City on September 17, 2005.
Yeah,... i would be smiling like this too if i was looking at Joan Jett!!!
Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and Richie Sambora perform with Les Paul and the Les Paul Trio during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's 13th annual American Music Masters tribute concert on November 15, 2008.
Les Paul performs during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's 13th annual American Music Masters tribute concert on November 15, 2008 in New York City.
Les Paul attends the grand opening of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex in New York City on December 2, 2008.
From Wikipedia
On August 13, 2009, Les Paul died of complications from pneumonia at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York. His family and friends were by his side.[43] His attorney stated to the media that Paul had been “in and out of the hospital” because of illness.[44]
On hearing of his death, many artists and musicians paid tribute by expressing their sorrow in various news media. Among those who paid tribute to Les Paul were Saul “Slash” Hudson, Trey Anastasio, Joe Satriani, Tom Morello, Ace Frehley, Tad Kubler, John 5, Keith Richards, Randy Bachman, Brian May and BB King.[45][46][47] On hearing of Les Paul’s death, former Guns N’ Roses and current Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash called him “vibrant and full of positive energy”. U2 guitarist The Edge said: “His legacy as a musician and inventor will live on and his influence on rock and roll will never be forgotten.” Read More about Les Paul at Wikipedia
Articualtion Was written shortly after a break up, during a very chaotic time in my late teen life. I had found some drugs, well,… a lot of drugs, and wrote this album out of the back of my truck and in a few different closets ( i literally bunked at few friends closet, recording the album on a huge ass pc tower,… dragged it around where ever i went ).
Waking Life – David Kilmer
David Kilmer – While They Sleep
