I was saddened to read this week that the man who was responsible for innovations in the production of guitars and recording passed away at the age of 94 in White Plains NY. While many people, even those who do not play guitar, are familiar with the name Les Paul, few probably know about the man behind the name brand. Paul lived a long life, experiencing the world of music from the jazz age up through the millennium. He was most well known for his electric guitar that carried his name; the Les Paul model was first introduced in 1952.
The truth is he was much more than that. “He was many things: a great inventor, a great conceptualizer” said rock historian Lenny Kaye. Paul worked to improve recording, developing new multi-track recording technology. Paul is credited with many recording innovations, including “overdubbing”, “delay effects” (such as tape delay, phasing effects, and multi-track recording). Ultimately, he was a great musician who had a passion for music and played with great intensity.
In the late 1960s, Paul went into semi-retirement, although he did return to the studio occasionally. Paul returned to live performances in the 1980s. In 2006, at the age of 90, Paul won two Grammys for his album Les Paul & Friends: American Made World Played. He also performed every Monday night, accompanied by a trio which included guitarist Lou Pallo, bassist Nicki Parrott and pianist John Colianni, at the Iridium Jazz Club on Broadway in New York City. The next time an artist picks up his or her Les Paul Guitar I hope they take a moment to remember the musician, the innovator, and the man behind the brand.
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