Les Paul Dead at 94

[iGary]

:(

Linky (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/13/AR2009081301768.html?hpid=artslot)

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Les Paul, the guitarist and inventor who changed the course of music with the electric guitar and multitrack recording and had a string of hits, many with wife Mary Ford, died on Thursday. He was 94.

According to Gibson Guitar, Paul died of complications from pneumonia at White Plains Hospital. His family and friends were by his side.

[benflick]

He will be missed.:(

[yellow]

My (83 yo) dad loved Les Paul and Mary Ford.

[thegoldenmackid]

sad.

[Unspoken Demise]

Damn. But at least he lived a full life of 94 years.
He'll be missed. :(

[Teh Don Ditty]

What a loss. A great innovator.

[Heilage]

Thank you for designing my guitar. RIP.

[Queso]

At least he left his mark on the world. Every time you turn on the radio you'll hear his influence.

RIP.

[jessica.]

I read this a little while ago. I'd say sad but in reality he got 94 years so it's sad to see it all end, but he lived a very full life and his guitars will live on forever as far as I'm concerned.

[MacRy]

RIP LP. How's about we post pics of our LP's in tribute. Here's my Epiphone Les Paul Standard in Vintage Sunburst.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/50/143579486_7672e0e8b7.jpg

[str1f3]

One of the great pioneers in not only guitars but music passes on (http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE57C3TI20090813). He created not only the guitars that many lust for (including myself) but also influenced music by creating multi-track recordings.

R.I.P Les.

[elgrecomac]

The original Guitar Hero, Les Paul died today. Anyone who has played, or tried to play, an electric guitar owes this innovator a debt of gratitude.

Very sad.....:(

If you don't know what this man was to modern music, read on...and watch on.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Paul

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foXSXOAfB4U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByGsHTlKmWk

[mperkins37]

He was a Giant in the industry.
Innovation, Impeccable taste in music, chops to be envied by all his contemporaries.
He will be missed, RIP Les
BTW Here is his namesake.

[ChrisA]

My (83 yo) dad loved Les Paul and Mary Ford.

My 18 year old heavy metal loving son loves the guitar that caries Les Paul's name.

I don't like the same music but an LP will likely be the next guitar I buy... someday. The way Paul sold his idea to Gibson was "This one guitar can make any of the thousand different sounds." He was right but not many can make all the sounds of a LP.

Les Paul played a popularized style of jazz with his guitar but Jimmy Page with the same guitar played of course for Led Zeppelin.

I don't think his death cam as a surprise. All the media outlets seem to have pre-written long articles about him, waiting for the word to release them.

[Little HZ]

A music great is gone--he will be missed!!! :(

[jemeinc]

He played every Monday night in NY.. I have been saying I'd get up there to see him for awhile now.. I'll regret not making that trip..

[TwinCities Dan]

Thank you Les, for everything... :(

[.Andy]

It's sad that he's gone but I'm sure he wouldn't want you all to fret.

[jessica.]

Dies laughing ... fret ... hahah fret.

[chasemac]

The most beautiful and best sounding electric guitar ever made. His invention of multi-track recording is highly overlooked. An amazing man. RIP Les Paul.

[Heilage]

I don't have a picture of mine, but I have a Les Paul Custom. Just like this, only with golden humbuckers.

http://www.rocknrollvintage.com/prodimages/thumbs/1957-les-paul-custom-alinco-s_1.jpg

[designgeek]

This is a bummer, I've wanted to play forever. I'll get an Epiphone Les Paul and figure it out I guess.

[Teh Don Ditty]

I don't have a picture of mine, but I have a Les Paul Custom. Just like this, only with golden humbuckers.

http://www.rocknrollvintage.com/prodimages/thumbs/1957-les-paul-custom-alinco-s_1.jpg

WANT! An absolutely gorgeous guitar.

[SpaceMagic]

I saw his live at the Iridium (Broadway, 51st NYC) only 18 months ago. He was so alive then. Cheeky, having a good time, a crowd pleaser.

He had a great innings - 94! And certainly left a big mark on the world. No butterfly effect here, remove Les Paul and remove a huge part of modern life - even if the individual doesn't realise it, so much music we love and listen to wouldn't be here with him.

Anyway. Great stuff. RIP. See and hear you in the next life :)

[mkrishnan]

I saw his live at the Iridium (Broadway, 51st NYC) only 18 months ago. He was so alive then. Cheeky, having a good time, a crowd pleaser.

I had no idea he was playing weekly! (I just saw this on NYT's front page). It would've been worth the trip to NY just for that! I only have a cheap knock-off of his work, but I'm sure I'll be getting a real one one of these days....

A legend and inspiration.

[Heilage]

WANT! An absolutely gorgeous guitar.

I do love it. :)

[Teh Don Ditty]

I do love it. :)

I would sleep with it every night.

Seriously.

[leekohler]

Very depressing. Every guitar player I was in a band with loved the guy.

[beatzfreak]

I saw his live at the Iridium (Broadway, 51st NYC) only 18 months ago. He was so alive then. Cheeky, having a good time, a crowd pleaser.


I went to his 92nd birthday party June 2007 and he was just as you described.
What an amazing man. Thank you Les Paul for all your contributions. R.I.P.

My hubby's Epiphone modified with tremolo:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2505/3822704263_c99f8abb26.jpg

My wedding gift to him. Gibson Les Paul Custom:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2499/3822702417_85eb418225.jpg

Yes, my husband is a lefty.

[mkrishnan]

Is that a Floyd Rose on a LP? Come on! If Les wanted a tremolo bar, he would've designed one in!!! :eek: ;)

Nice collection.

[jmcguckin]

wow, talk about someone who left a permanent mark on the world of music (and quite a few generations of it, at that)... it's a shame he has passed on, but he's left a legacy we won't soon forget- not to mention a huge line of the world's best-sounding guitars (IMHO).

Mr. Paul, you will be missed, sir!

[beatzfreak]

Is that a Floyd Rose on a LP? Come on! If Les wanted a tremolo bar, he would've designed one in!!! :eek: ;)

Nice collection.

No, It's a Kahler. We were planning on taking the Epiphone to Les Paul's weekly monday night show at the Iridium to see what he thought, but unfortunately never made it.