Les Paul, whose innovations with the electric guitar and studio technology made him one of the most important figures in recorded music, has died. Paul was 94.
Les was one of my earliest influences. I remember seeing him on TV when I was 10 years old, (1962) and trying to imagine myself as a guitarist. I was practicing piano at that age, and hated it. Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Roy Clark, and others were always on TV, and these Country and Jazz players were my Guitar Gods. By 1964 when I saw the Beatles for the first time on Ed Sullivan, I felt like Navin Johnson in the movie \"The Jerk\" when all of a sudden, my foot started to keep rhythm with the beat.
It's mind boggling how many guitarists were influenced by Les Paul. All my Guitar Gods today have stories about how much that man inspired them or influenced them in some way. He was blessed with a long life, and was loved by hundreds of millions worldwide.
Remembering Les now, has me remembering so many things about those early days. My Dad kept my head shaved like a good little Marine, because other boys were wearing the Beatle hairstyles. I was forbidden to listen to that evil \"jungle music.\" By age 16, I learned to take a punch, and my rebellion began...and so did my lessons in the Blues.
It is truly amazing the number of innovations and inventions that Les Paul has contributed.
The recording industry(not the business end)would not be as it is if not for Les Paul.
Not only have guitarist benefit from him but all musicians,both classically trained and unrefined.
We would not have the opportunity we have today without him.
Les Paul,one of the last true pioneers.
GOD speed.
Goodbye, Les Paul. I knew he was a great guitarist and innovator of guitars. My first guitars were all Les Paul copies. My best six string guitar is an Epi Les Paul Custom. I love Les Paul guitars.
About a year ago, I watched a documentary on the recording industry. I had not realized that we owe our multi-track recording concept to Les Paul himself. He was years ahead of his fellow musicians. We have Les Paul to thank for our multi-track recording programs based on his ideas. Especially, what is possible for our small home based recordings. His recorded talent and his ideas relating to recording will continue to live on.
RIP Mr. Paul. The man was a true innovator in the music and recording industry, and the world will be a sadder place without him. HE was far more influential to so many fellow musicians than some other so called icons who have recently passed ( I will mention no names), but I'm willing to bet the death of Les Paul will not garner 6 to 8 weeks of nonstop media coverage like some who have recently passed to the great beyond. To me that is just wrong, but what do I know, I'm just a musician. And by the way, Les still had a regular monday night gig in NYC at age 94, talk about hangin in there!
He will be missed!
RIP ...... bet the death of Les Paul will not garner 6 to 8 weeks of nonstop media coverage like some who have recently passed to the great beyond. To me that is just wrong,!
Ain't that the truth! Right on the nail there! And that's a shame...an so is the main stream media!!
RIP ...... bet the death of Les Paul will not garner 6 to 8 weeks of nonstop media coverage like some who have recently passed to the great beyond. To me that is just wrong,!
Ain't that the truth! Right on the nail there! And that's a shame...an so is the main stream media!!
Yes, it IS a shame. If you drank enough, you could argue that LP contributed much more to modern music than MJ did. And you might be right.
But...so it is with mainstream media - the conventional wisdom is that if you shovel some bloody chum on the air, the mindless public (and the advertisers who swill their money) will swim over and feed. It has nothing to do with substance or import.
But LP didn't sell 100 million albums or make a gazillion dollars or dangle his wife out of an airplane. He just spent his life making great music, and contributing some of the most elemental components of modern music to the world.
Just think how famous he'd have been if he wore a sequined git'r strap. :roll:
Yep, RIP Les Paul. A terrific age to get to and he accomplished and contributed sooo much to music......just like Leo did. God bless 'em both!
To compare Les Paul to Jackson is way wrong!! Les didn't have to become the freak Jackson became to stay in the spotlight, in fact was he ever in the spotlight? Thats what makes him a legend - he didn't have to. People can blame all sorts of things that made Jackson into what he became - but it was his choice therefore his responsibility. Yes he did have great songs, yes he was a showman and yes he had a big influence on pop music - but thats just one genre. Les Paul influenced all music - 'nuff said.
I don't believe anyone was comparing Les to MJ. I was just commenting on the media coverage or the lack thereof given to the two gentlemen. There are no comparisons to be given between these two, one was a guitar god and a musical genius and the other was...well I won't comment to what he may or may not have been, we've already had that conversation.
Truly an amazing fellow. A great musician for sure. As of late, I've had the pleasure to hear people and musicians who had the priveledge of knowing him and jamming with him speak of their experiences. In bars, clubs, auditoriums and living rooms. I think he really lived and loved guitar.
These musicians all talked about his playfully obnoxious sense of humor. Apparently, he was notorious for unplugging or twisting tuners on a persons guitar during a song. Allegedly... he pulled this on some pretty big names. Too funny.
I play an LP custom and can atest to the wonderful instrument in which he was so instrumental in developing. Without him, we could ALL be playing Fenders.
I hope guitar keeps me alive until 94... or even 49 would be okay.
Comments
I met him in 1990 in NYC and we had a little talk, he was one of the nicest guys I've ever met.
It's mind boggling how many guitarists were influenced by Les Paul. All my Guitar Gods today have stories about how much that man inspired them or influenced them in some way. He was blessed with a long life, and was loved by hundreds of millions worldwide.
Remembering Les now, has me remembering so many things about those early days. My Dad kept my head shaved like a good little Marine, because other boys were wearing the Beatle hairstyles. I was forbidden to listen to that evil \"jungle music.\" By age 16, I learned to take a punch, and my rebellion began...and so did my lessons in the Blues.
Can't thank you enough Lester, for all you meant to me. God Bless. 8)
Les and Chet >>
My favorite Les LP???
Chester and Lester...(Chet Atkins, Les Paul) from the 70's..
Great guitar work..Highly recomended..
RIP Les.
The recording industry(not the business end)would not be as it is if not for Les Paul.
Not only have guitarist benefit from him but all musicians,both classically trained and unrefined.
We would not have the opportunity we have today without him.
Les Paul,one of the last true pioneers.
GOD speed.
About a year ago, I watched a documentary on the recording industry. I had not realized that we owe our multi-track recording concept to Les Paul himself. He was years ahead of his fellow musicians. We have Les Paul to thank for our multi-track recording programs based on his ideas. Especially, what is possible for our small home based recordings. His recorded talent and his ideas relating to recording will continue to live on.
He will be missed!
Ain't that the truth! Right on the nail there! And that's a shame...an so is the main stream media!!
But...so it is with mainstream media - the conventional wisdom is that if you shovel some bloody chum on the air, the mindless public (and the advertisers who swill their money) will swim over and feed. It has nothing to do with substance or import.
But LP didn't sell 100 million albums or make a gazillion dollars or dangle his wife out of an airplane. He just spent his life making great music, and contributing some of the most elemental components of modern music to the world.
Just think how famous he'd have been if he wore a sequined git'r strap. :roll:
To compare Les Paul to Jackson is way wrong!! Les didn't have to become the freak Jackson became to stay in the spotlight, in fact was he ever in the spotlight? Thats what makes him a legend - he didn't have to. People can blame all sorts of things that made Jackson into what he became - but it was his choice therefore his responsibility. Yes he did have great songs, yes he was a showman and yes he had a big influence on pop music - but thats just one genre. Les Paul influenced all music - 'nuff said.
Did 'nuff say anything else about Les Paul?
Is that something 'Nuff said? I haven't seen no postings from Nuff...
Not sure Rawb, but 'nuff might have got that information from An.
'An and her cuz 'Furthermore! Just like chicks, in the background yapping in someones ear!
As long as 'DUH don't start chiming in...He says the stupidest things.... :shock:
Truly an amazing fellow. A great musician for sure. As of late, I've had the pleasure to hear people and musicians who had the priveledge of knowing him and jamming with him speak of their experiences. In bars, clubs, auditoriums and living rooms. I think he really lived and loved guitar.
These musicians all talked about his playfully obnoxious sense of humor. Apparently, he was notorious for unplugging or twisting tuners on a persons guitar during a song. Allegedly... he pulled this on some pretty big names. Too funny.
I play an LP custom and can atest to the wonderful instrument in which he was so instrumental in developing. Without him, we could ALL be playing Fenders.
I hope guitar keeps me alive until 94... or even 49 would be okay.
Peace Les.