The World Has Lost a Remarkable Innovator and Musician:

No_Way

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Life ... ses-away-at-94-813/

New York, NY...August 13, 2009...Les Paul,acclaimed guitar player, entertainer and inventor, passed away todayfrom complications of severe pneumonia at White Plains Hospital inWhite Plains, New York, surrounded by family and loved ones. He hadbeen receiving the best available treatment through this final battleand in keeping with his persona, he showed incredible strength,tenacity and courage. The family would like to express their heartfeltthanks for the thoughts and prayers from his dear friends and fans. LesPaul was 94.  
One of the foremost influences on 20th century sound and responsiblefor the world's most famous guitar, the Les Paul model, Les Paul'sprestigious career in music and invention spans from the 1930s to thepresent. Though he's indisputably one of America's most popular,influential, and accomplished electric guitarists, Les Paul is bestknown as an early innovator in the development of the solid bodyguitar. His groundbreaking design would become the template forGibson's best-selling electric, the Les Paul model, introduced in 1952.Today, countless musical legends still consider Paul's iconic guitarunmatched in sound and prowess. Among Paul's most enduringcontributions are those in the technological realm, including ingeniousdevelopments in multi-track recording, guitar effects, and themechanics of sound in general.

Born Lester William Polsfuss in Waukesha, Wisconsin on June 9, 1915,Les Paul was already performing publicly as a honky-tonk guitarist bythe age of 13. So clear was his calling that Paul dropped out of highschool at 17 to play in Sunny Joe Wolverton's Radio Band in St. Louis.As Paul's mentor, Wolverton was the one to christen him with the stagename “Rhubarb Red," a moniker that would follow him to Chicago in 1934.There, Paul became a bona fide radio star, known as both hillbillypicker Rhubarb Red and Django Reinhardt-informed jazz guitarist LesPaul. His first recordings were done in 1936 on an acoustic—alone asRhubarb Red, as well as backing blues singer Georgia White. The nextyear he formed his first trio, but by 1938 he'd moved to New York tobegin his tenure on national radio with one of the more popular danceorchestras in the country, Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians.
Tinkeringwith electronics and guitar amplification since his youth, Les Paulbegan constructing his own electric guitar in the late '30s. Unhappywith the first generation of commercially available hollowbodiesbecause of their thin tone, lack of sustain, and feedback problems,Paul opted to build an entirely new structure. “I was interested inproving that a vibration-free top was the way to go," he has said. “Ieven built a guitar out of a railroad rail to prove it. What I wantedwas to amplify pure string vibration, without the resonance of the woodgetting involved in the sound." With the good graces of Epiphonepresident Epi Stathopoulo, Paul used the Epiphone plant and machineryin 1941 to bring his vision to fruition. He affectionately dubbed theguitar “The Log."  
Les Paul's tireless experiments sometimes proved to be dangerous,and he nearly electrocuted himself in 1940 during a session in thecellar of his Queens apartment. During the next two years ofrehabilitation, Les earned his living producing radio music. Forced toput the Pennsylvanians and the rest of his career on hold, Les Paulmoved to Hollywood. During World War II, he was drafted into the Armybut permitted to stay in California, where he became a regular playerfor Armed Forces Radio Service. By 1943 he had assembled a trio thatregularly performed live, on the radio, and on V-Discs. In 1944 heentered the jazz spotlight—thanks to his dazzling work filling in forOscar Moore alongside Nat King Cole, Illinois Jacquet, and othersuperstars —at the first of the prestigious Jazz at the Philharmonicconcerts.  
By his mid-thirties, Paul had successfully combinedReinhardt-inspired jazz playing and the western swing and twang of hisRhubarb Red persona into one distinctive, electrifying style. In theLes Paul Trio he translated the dizzying runs and unusual harmoniesfound on Jazz at the Philharmonic into a slower, subtler, morecommercial approach. His novelty instrumentals were tighter, brasher,and punctuated with effects. Overall, the trademark Les Paul sound wasrazor-sharp, clean-shaven, and divinely smooth.  
As small combos eclipsed big bands toward the end of World War II,Les Paul Trio's popularity grew. They cut records for Decca both aloneand behind the likes of Helen Forrest, the Andrews Sisters, the DeltaRhythm Boys, Dick Hayes, and, most notably, Bing Crosby. Since 1945,when the crooner brought them into the studio to back him on a fewnumbers, the Trio had become regular guests on Crosby's hit radio show.The highlight of the session was Paul's first No. 1 hit andmillion-seller, the gorgeous “It's Been a Long, Long Time."  
Meanwhile,Paul began to experiment with dubbing live tracks over recorded tracks,also altering the playback speed. This resulted in “Lover (When You'reNear Me)," his revolutionary 1947 predecessor to multi-track recording.The hit instrumental featured Les Paul on eight different electricguitar parts, all playing together.
In 1948, Paul nearly lost his life to a devastating car crash thatshattered his right arm and elbow. Still, he convinced doctors to sethis broken arm in the guitar-picking and cradling position. Laid up butundaunted, Paul acquired a first generation Ampex tape recorder fromCrosby in 1949, and began his most important multi-tracking adventure,adding a fourth head to the recorder to create sound-on-soundrecordings. While tinkering with the machine and its manypossibilities, he also came up with tape delay. These tricks, alongwith another recent Les Paul innovation—close mic-ing vocals—wereintegrated for the first time on a single recording: the 1950 No. 1tour de force “How High the Moon."
Thishistoric track was performed during a duo with future wife Mary Ford.The couple's prolific string of hits for Capitol Records not onlyincluded some of the most popular recordings of the early 1950s, butalso wrote the book on contemporary studio production. The dense butcrystal clear harmonic layering of guitars and vocals, along withFord's close mic-ed voice and Paul's guitar effects, produceddistinctively contemporary recordings with unprecedented sonicqualities. Through hits, tours, and popular radio shows, Paul and Fordkept one foot in the technological vanguard and the other in thecultural mainstream.  
All the while, Les Paul continued to pine for the perfect guitar.Though The Log came close, it wasn't quite what he was after. In theearly 1950s, Gibson Guitar would cultivate a partnership with Paul thatwould lead to the creation of the guitar he'd seen only in his dreams.In 1948, Gibson elected to design its first solidbody, and Paul, aself-described “dyed-in-the-wool Gibson man," seemed the right man forthe job. Gibson avidly courted the guitar legend, even driving deepinto the Pennsylvania mountains to deliver the first model to newlywedsLes Paul and Mary Ford.  
“Les played it, and his eyes lighted up," then-Gibson President TedMcCarty has recalled. The year was 1950, and Paul had just signed on asthe namesake of Gibson's first electric solidbody, with exclusivedesign privileges. Working closely with Paul, Gibson forged arelationship that would change popular culture forever. The Gibson LesPaul model—the most powerful and respected electric guitar inhistory—began with the 1952 release of the Les Paul Goldtop. Afterintroducing the original Les Paul Goldtop in 1952, Gibson issued theBlack Beauty, the mahogany-topped Les Paul Custom, in 1954. The LesPaul Junior (1954) and Special (1955) were also introduced before thecanonical Les Paul Standard hit the market in 1958. With revolutionaryhumbucker pickups, this sunburst classic has remained unchanged for thehalf-century since it hit the market.
“Theworld has lost a truly innovative and exceptional human being today. Icannot imagine life without Les Paul. He would walk into a room and puta smile on anyone's face. His musical charm was extraordinary and histechniques unmatched anywhere in the world," said Henry Juszkiewicz,Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. “We will dedicate ourselves topreserving Les' legacy to insure that it lives on forever. He touchedso many lives throughout his remarkable life and his influence extendsaround the globe and across every boundary. I have lost a dear,personal friend and mentor, a man who has changed so many of our livesfor the better."
“I don't think any words can describe the man we know as Les Pauladequately. The English language does not contain words that can payenough homage to someone like Les. As the “Father of the ElectricGuitar", he was not only one of the world's greatest innovators  but alegend who created, inspired and contributed to the success ofmusicians around the world," said Dave Berryman, Presidentof Gibson Guitar. “I have had the privilege to know and work with Lesfor many, many years and his passing has left a deep personal void. Hewas simply put – remarkable in every way. As a person, a musician, afriend, an inventor. He will be sorely missed by us all."
With the rise of the rock 'n' roll revolution of 1955, Les Paul andMary Ford's popularity began to wane with younger listeners, thoughPaul would prove to be a massive influence on younger generation ofguitarists. Still, Paul and Ford maintained their iconic presence withtheir wildly popular television show, which ran from 1953-1960. In1964, the couple, parents to a son and daughter, divorced. Paul beganplaying in Japan, and recorded an LP for London Records before poorhealth forced him to take time off—as much as someone so inspired cantake time off.  
In the 1977, Paul resurfaced with a Grammy-winning Chet Atkins collaboration, Chester and Lester. Then the ailing guitarist, who'd already suffered arthritis andpermanent hearing loss, had a heart attack, followed by bypass surgery.
Ever stubborn, Les recovered, and returned to live performance inthe late 1980s. Until recently Les continued to perform two weekly NewYork shows with the Les Paul Trio, even releasing the 2005double-Grammy winner Les Paul & Friends: American Made World Played,featuring collaborations with a veritable who's who of the electricguitar, including dozens of illustrious fans like Keith Richards, BuddyGuy, Billy Gibbons, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and Joe Perry. In 2008,The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame paid tribute to Les Paul in a week-longcelebration of his life which culminated with a live performance by Leshimself.  
LesPaul has since become the only individual to share membership into theGrammy Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the NationalInventors Hall of Fame, and the National Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Lesis survived by his three sons Lester (Rus) G.  Paul, Gene W. Paul andRobert (Bobby) R. Paul, his daughter Colleen Wess, son-in-law GaryWess, long time friend Arlene Palmer,  five grandchildren and fivegreat grandchildren. A private Funeral service will be held in NewYork. A service in Waukesha, WI will be announced at a later date.Details will follow and will be announced for all services. Memorialtributes for the public will be announced at a future date.   Thefamily asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Les PaulFoundation, 236 West 30th Street, 7th Floor, New York, New York 10001.

No_Way

Slash said, "Les Paulwas a shining example of how full one's life can be, he was so vibrantand full of positive energy. I'm honored and humbled to have known andplayed with him over the years, he was an exceptionally brilliant man."
Joe Satriani said, "Les Paul set a standard formusicianship and innovation that remains unsurpassed. He was theoriginal guitar hero, and the kindest of souls. Last October I joinedhim onstage at The Iridium club in NYC, and he was still shredding. Hewas and still is an inspiration to us all."
Keb' Mo' said, “He's a guy who played right upto the end, that's what we all want to do! With his brilliant playingand invention of multi track recording, Les Paul changed the face ofmusic history."
Bootsy Collins said, "Yes, it is very painfulwhen you lose a man, his music, and his everyday presence here on thisplanet called earth. For us musicians that knew the bar that this manMr. Les Paul set, not only for guitar players but for music in general,especially rock music, the world will never be the same. His famousGibson Les Paul brand Guitar's are still to this day the number onehottest rock guitar on the market. I got the opportunity in 1991 to doa session with Mr. Paul when I was with Dee-Lite, we did a song called:"A little More of Les". yes, one of my corky titles of course, but Itwas such an inspiration to be in the presence of such greatness, hewill be sadly missed by many. We love you Les!"
Joan Jett said, "I, and everyone at BlackheartRecords, mourn the passing of our dear friend, Les Paul. He was agenius inventor, musical innovator, and a wonderful person. Without theadvances he pioneered, the recording sciences and the electric guitarwould have been left years behind. I will miss him so much."
Ace Frehley said, "The music industry has losta giant! I'm very saddened by the news of Les Paul's passing. I waslucky enough to have known Les as a friend, and admired him as amusician and innovator. He forever changed the way we listen to music."
Butch Walker said, "Les Paul... I will always owe you.. bigtime..."
Billy Gibbons said, "Les Paul brought sixstrings to electricity and electricity to six strings. Les Paul was aninnovator, a groundbreaker, a risk taker, a mentor and a friend. Try toimagine what we'd be doing if he hadn't come along and changed theworld. There will always be more Les to come. That's certified."
Keith Urban said, “I have a mix of emotionstoday. On one hand, I am deeply saddened at Les Paul’s passing, and onthe other a feeling of incredible gratitude and awe for hisunquantifiable contribution to the world of music. His name adorns somany of the creations that I communicate through every night out hereon the road...He is also very present every time I set foot in thestudio and am able to lay multiple tracks as I record, when I use echo,etc., the list of his inventions, in addition to his famous signaturemodel Gibson, are extraordinary. I also feel that even in his nineties,the fact he was still playing every Monday night in New York is perhapsthe most beautiful and inspiring achievement of all. As Vince Gillwould say, “Go rest high on that mountain Les...cause son, your work onearth is done.”
Joe Perry said, "As a guitarist and a fan ofmusic in general, I know the amazing contributions Les Paul made in hislifetime to the art of making music. I think if the general public knewhow much of that influence is heard every day in the music that theylisten to, they would be amazed. He was a true genius. The few timesthat I had met him, he made me feel like I had known him forever. Hewas always sharp, ready to rock and he was always talking about hisnext gig. Knowing that he is not walking the earth anymore is sad and Ihave lost a friend. But every time I pick up a guitar I’ll know thathis spirit is alive and well right next to me. "
Derek Trucks said, "Les Paul played until the day he died. I admire that... That's the way you live a life."
On his many achievements Derek Trucks said, "Youcould take any one of the many things he did and it would have beenenough for most people. Inventing multi-tracking and then the 1st greatsolid body electric guitar. The amount of things he pulled off ispretty astounding."
Mick Jones said, “As a child I was introducedto the sound of Les Paul through my parent's record collection. It wasa spellbinding moment when I first heard ‘How High The Moon’ featuringMary Ford. His innovation and recording techniques contributed greatlyto the creation of Rock music.”
Rickey Medlocke said, "I'm so thankful thatthis guy was such an incredible genius for developing such a greatguitar. I am a 3rd generation Gibson user and I always will be. Godbless Les Paul."
Tad Kubler said, "There are very few humanbeings in history that touched so many people the way Les Paul did. Heshared his gifts with everyone and brought people together with hisbrilliance and devotion to music and the art of sound. It was aprivilege to have met him. He will be incredibly missed. But ourblessing is to know his spirit and soul will live for eternity in musiceverywhere."
Wes Scantlon said, "Les and I have the samebirthday – it is an honor to have been born on the same day as such agenius guitarist, innovator and human being"
Neil Portnow (President/CEO of The Recording Academy®) said, "Three-timeGRAMMY® winner Les Paul was a musical mastermind whose innovations inelectric guitar and recorded music are unparalleled. A 1983 TrusteesAward recipient and a 2001 Technical GRAMMY Award recipient, his careerand contributions to popular music will forever be celebrated, and willcontinue to influence future generations of musicians. His magneticcharm and sunny disposition matched his incredible skill set, and hewill always be remembered with great fondness, humility, and respect.The music industry has lost a true innovator and legend."
Terry Stewart (President of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum) said, "WithoutLes Paul, we would not have rock and roll as we know it," said TerryStewart, president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame andMuseum. “His inventions created the infrastructure for the music andhis playing style will ripple through generations. He was truly anarchitect of rock and roll."
Elliott Easton said, "I am deeply saddened bythe passing of Les Paul. It is simply impossible to overstate theimpact he has had on the modern world and our culture. There are thosethat refer to Les as "the Thomas Edison of Music Technology". To methat is inadequate. Thomas Edison never invented a device that couldmake the world fall in love with you. There isn't a person working inthe music industry today that doesn't benefit in some way from Les'pioneering work."
Brian Wilson said, "Les Paul and Mary Ford wereamong my most favorite musicians in the 50's. He was the first guy todo multi guitar multi track recording and that turned me on to guitarsand stacking vocals for our records."
Johnny A. said, "I am personally very saddenedby the passing of Mr. Les Paul. As well as being such an iconic figurein the world of music, as a player and inventor, Les was truly agentleman with an unbeatable sense of humor. It has been my honor tohave known and played with him. His spirit will surely be missed."
Dave Navarro, "Les is single handedlyresponsible for the direction and evolution of the modern rockmovement. Period. If you are a fan of modern music, you owe Les Paul anenormous THANK YOU!"
Don Miggs said, "I used to promise myself thatevery trip back home to NY should be capped off with seeing Lesperform. I knew he wasn't going to be around forever and seeing him wasa "must-do." Sadly, I never made good on my promise but one night I waswalking into a deli and who do I see? Yup. My palms went sweaty, mytongue felt thick and I got a pit in my stomach, but I stopped him witha grunt of some sort. He looked me square in eye like "don't miss thismoment," and I gulped and said, "It's because of you I can put food onmy family's table, thank you," and he said, "You've done that foryourself, son, but thank you." And he was gone. Ah, Les, thank youthank you."
Randy Bachman said, "I am deeply touched by thepassing of Les Paul who I first met in 1959. As a guitarist, composer,electronic innovator and inventor he was beyong genius and there wasnone other like him. He was a true musical gift from God to the worldand spent his life honoring that gift. I proudly play my Les Paulguitars every night on stage and never forget the moments we shared."
Gary Rossington said, "I am very saddened tohear about the passing of Les Paul, he was an amazing guitarist. I playa Les Paul guitar every night and it's the best sounding guitar evermade. I have a framed t-shirt on my wall, signed by Les Paul that Iadmire when I'm at home, Les was the best!"
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