Today would have been guitar great Les Paul’s 98th Birthday. Born Lester William Polsfuss, Les Paul was an American Jazz, Country, and Blues guitarist, a songwriter, a violin maker, and an inventor.
Les Paul was one of the pioneers of the solid-body electric guitars.”The Log” was a 4″ x 4″ chunk of pine with strings and a pickup and was one of the first solid-body electric guitars . This ‘guitar’ style is what made the sound of Rock and Roll possible * Les Paul is also credited with many recording innovations and unique playing styles of the time (licks, chording sequences, fretting techniques and timing) * which set him apart from his peers and inspired many guitarists of today.
Les Paul performed for many years – and semi -retired at the age of 50. At age 72 Paul underwent heart surgery, then returned to active live performance, continuing into his 80s despite painful arthritis in his hands. At the age of 90 (2006) Paul won two Grammys for his album Les Paul & Friends: American Made World Played.
Among his many honors, Paul is one of a handful of artists with a permanent, stand-alone exhibit in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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*sources, Wikipedia, LesPaulFoundation.org, photo pbs.org