I was lucky enough to see Les play at the Iridium in New York City over Memorial Day Weekend in 2008. It was great to finally get the chance to see him. He was incredibly entertaining and his band was amazing.
From CNN.com:
(CNN) — Les Paul, whose innovations with the electric guitar and studio technology made him one of the most important figures in recorded music, has died, according to a statement from his publicists. Paul was 94.
Paul died in White Plains, New York, from complications of severe pneumonia, according to the statement.
Paul was a guitar and electronics mastermind whose creations — such as multitrack recording, tape delay and the solid-body guitar that bears his name, the Gibson Les Paul — helped give rise to modern popular music, including rock ‘n’ roll. No slouch on the guitar himself, he continued playing at clubs into his 90s despite being hampered by arthritis.
“If you only have two fingers [to work with], you have to think, how will you play that chord?” he told CNN.com in a 2002 phone interview. “So you think of how to replace that chord with several notes, and it gives the illusion of sounding like a chord.”
There is a great documentary about Les called “Chasing Sound”. Highly reccommended. It chronicles all of his accomplishements over the years and even shows his guitar collection which includes Django’s guitar.
Thank you Les. For Everything.
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jazzguy
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jazzguy
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jazzguy
