R.I.P. Les Paul

Dave White · Post by **Dave White** » 13 Aug 2009 8:38 am

The Associated Press has reported that guitar legend Les Paul has died of pneumonia at the age of 94. Besides being one of the world's greatest guitarists, he was credited with the inventions of the solid-body electric guitar, overdubbing, tape-delay and multi-track recording.
The music world has truly lost one of its great legends.

The A.P. said that he passed away at White Plains Hospital surrounded by friends and family.

admin · Post by **b0b** » 13 Aug 2009 8:46 am

I don't think that any other musician had as large of an impact on 20th century music as Les Paul. I'm glad he lived such a long life. God bless Les Paul.

Dave Harmonson · Post by **Dave Harmonson** » 13 Aug 2009 9:05 am

He was one very amazing man and kept performing until near the end and had a wonderful sense of humor. I'm sad he's gone, but somehow I have a smile thinking of all he's done for us musicians. RIP LP

Michael Breid · Post by **Michael Breid** » 13 Aug 2009 9:06 am

All the good ones are passsing. Thank God we have their music on Lp's, CD's, tapes, videos, etc. Les lived a long life, and like Chet influenced thousands of guitar players. We won't see his kind again. RIP Lester. Make that Heavenly band swing.

Morgan Scoggins · Post by **Morgan Scoggins** » 13 Aug 2009 9:13 am

I have been a fan of Les Paul ever since I was a kid and he teamed up with his wife, Mary Ford.
He was a great natural born guitar player and licks just flowed out of his head as he played.
I remember the recordings he made with Chet Atkins back in the 70's. They were full of great playing and lots of wisecracks. In the middle of a song,Les asks Chet if he once played a whole concert with his pants unzipped. Chet replied, " Yes I did". Les snapped back" Thats the first time I knew you wern't the greatest"

R.I.P Les Paul, there will never be another like you.

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 13 Aug 2009 9:21 am

I'm really sorry to hear about Les' passing! He was truly one of my heroes. "Vaya Con Dios" Les...JH in Va.

Post by **Joey Ace** » 13 Aug 2009 9:35 am

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/0 ... index.html

From the above link:

He admired the places guitarists and engineers took his inventions, but he said there was nothing to replace good, old-fashioned elbow grease and soul.

"I learned a long time ago that one note can go a long way if it's the right one," he said in 2002, "and it will probably whip the guy with 20 notes."

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 13 Aug 2009 10:39 am

One of my most treasured memories was getting to meet
this great gentlemen. I believe, about 1984, our band (Super Grit) was sponsored by Miller Brewing.
They flew us all up to Milwaukee for a seminar (indoctrination). At a party for all the bands, Les was the special guest. I got his autograph and asked him to put "aka Rhubarb Red" at the bottom. He got a laugh out of that, and said "I'll bet you and I are the only ones in this room that know that".

One of the most important figures in modern music and even better than that, a very nice human being.

Tay Joslin · Post by **Tay Joslin** » 13 Aug 2009 10:45 am

What a legend! What a loss!
Although I am a Fender man,
Les Paul has my utmost respect
for being the genius who got
the ball rolling in the field
of solid body electric guitars.
It is my understanding that Les's
innovations led to the commercial-
ization of steel guitars, too.

- Tay

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 13 Aug 2009 10:58 am

We should celebrate his life, but it's still a sad day for all musicians, but especially guitarists. I could not remotely overestimate the amount of impact he has had on me personally - he was a penultimate artist, engineer/designer, and cool guy all rolled up into one. I also agree that he may well have had the most overall impact of any 20th century popular musician. Truly a great among greats. RIP, Les.

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 13 Aug 2009 11:04 am

A true genius of the guitar world. RIP Les Paul. May GOD bless, comfort, and keep the family always. Jody.

Pete Young · Post by **Pete Young** » 13 Aug 2009 11:17 am

I remember as a very young kid going to a beach. They had a tent and there with a jukebox inside and I heard this song. It was the greatest thing I had ever heard and I spent every nickle I had on playing num. 12 I even bummed money from strangers so I could play it over and over. That song was How High The Moon and I still love it today. What a great man he was with a guitar.Its strange I can still remember the num and where this place was. I always wished I could have met him.

David Young · Post by **David Young** » 13 Aug 2009 11:34 am

Thanks to Mr. Paul for his accomplishments and contributions which have influenced and affected so many.

May the Lord comfort, strengthen, and sustain Les Paul's family and friends now and in the days to come.

Bro. David

Chris Boyd · Post by **Chris Boyd** » 13 Aug 2009 1:06 pm

What an amazing man. RIP Les Paul...

Russ Wever · Post by **Russ Wever** » 13 Aug 2009 1:27 pm

Les had a nearly-twenty-year on-air,as well
as personal, relationship with Chicago Radio
personalities Steve and Jonnie Putnam.

From their blog today:

THURSDAY NIGHT/FRIDAY MORNING:

Tonight we remember a musical icon ... an
American treasure ... a man we were very
fortunate to have as a dear friend, the
one and only Les Paul. We'll share some
of our 18 years of conversations with Les
and talk with some of the many musicians
and friends who were touched by his genius
and his laughter. Please join us as we
celebrate the life of a very special man.

You can stream them beginning at just
past 11PM CST this evening- - > HERE

~Russ

Ken Lang · Post by **Ken Lang** » 13 Aug 2009 2:22 pm

My first guitar in 1958 was a used Les Paul Goldtop.

So long Les. You done good. May God bless.

Duane Reese · Post by **Duane Reese** » 13 Aug 2009 3:13 pm

He was one of the foremost renaissance men of music in our time. It's hard to say enough about all he did for us. I have an appreciation especially for his work with multi-track recording, which has changed not only the way we produce music, but it has revolutionized the music listening experience into what we know today. I'd argue that the advent of that has even helped shape the evolution of music itself in the time it has been at play.

What a guy. What a legacy.

Jerry Lee Newberry · Post by **Jerry Lee Newberry** » 13 Aug 2009 4:37 pm

I am sure that he will be missed. I didn't know him, but my Dad has a 1956 or 1957 Les Paul, that will be mine when he passes. My Dad bought it when I was a small child and has had it ever since. It is something I will cherish forever when I do get it.

Donna

Bob Ritter · Post by **Bob Ritter** » 13 Aug 2009 6:57 pm

God Love Les paul, Thank you Sir, so much for a very full and rich life full of music and innovative idea's.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 13 Aug 2009 11:53 pm

Yep, we sure owe Les a lot
God rest his soul

John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 14 Aug 2009 12:52 am

In 2000 I had just become a Master Mason and Joe Casey got me connected on the AOL Instant Messenger With Les.

Les Thought I was Somebody he had known by my name, "Sleepy John". I assured him I was Nobody and He came back and Said yes you are, you're a Brother. Les was a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner. I never will forget that Online Conversation as he could only type with 1 or 2 fingers on his left hand. Later on I was able to get him connected with Greg Galbraith who was probably equally impressed that Les would talk to him also. When I asked Gregg if he wanted to talk to Les, he said I have 2 of his guitars, you don't think he wants them back, Do You? LOL

Les was a wonderful man who would take 30 minutes out of his day to talk to nobody, well actually a brother.

Goodbye my brother, I just erased your name off my Buddy list "Gibguitarlp" I won't be needing it now, The Next time, Hopefully, I will be talking to you face to face.

Sleepy John, the Carolina Wildman

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 14 Aug 2009 4:05 am

A true icon of the music world...RIP Lester, Thanks for the memories.

Lee Holeman · Post by **Lee Holeman** » 14 Aug 2009 6:48 am

About 1960 or so I was playing a four neck Fender (standing up) in a trio in a small club in Newark, NJ when Les and Mary Ford came in for a drink and to smoke his pipe. I was amazed when I met them and he acted like he was really interested in my guitar. RIP Les.
Lee Holeman

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 14 Aug 2009 1:54 pm

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... 64#1444364

What a good life. To be able work at what you enjoy doing most and live to be 94, acknowledged by all your peers as an innovator and genius. A real class act.

John DeBoalt · Post by **John DeBoalt** » 14 Aug 2009 4:32 pm

One of my earliest memorys of the electric guitar. another hero gone. John