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The latest victim of the deadly '09 is guitar legend Les Paul. He was 94 and at a White Plains hospital where he succumbed to complications from pneumonia today. Even into his old age, and with arthritis, he was performing at the Iridium Jazz Club on Broadway. His biography is stacked with genius, but he's probably best known for pioneering the development of the solid-body electric guitar, which is, you know, the backbone of the rock and roll sound. CNN lists off his many accomplishments both behind the guitar and in the studio, and talks to Gibson's CEO Henry Juszkiewicz, who told them more about the man behind it all; "The world has lost a truly innovative and exceptional human being today. I cannot imagine life without Les Paul. He would walk into a room and put a smile on anyone's face. His musical charm was extraordinary and his techniques unmatched anywhere in the world." After the jump catch him playing the Iridium just two years ago (and here's a video from his younger years).
The Legendary Les Paul Dies at 94
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It's the same media that NEVER mentioned Muslims' hatred of Israel as a possible motive for 9/11.
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the axe would have been nothing with out him. may he rest
You could have put a picture of him holding an actual Les Paul.
To be fair, the SG was originally designed as a new Les Paul model and the earliest ones sold with "Les Paul" on the headstocks.
But whatever.
considering how much he did and what he accomplished, he always struck me as somewhat modest.
I like that. may he rest in peace.
A New York legend. He's been playing a weekly residency gig off and on for something like 20 years (first at the old Fat Tuesday's). Between Manny's Music officially dying in June, and the loss of Les, New York has lost two of the things that made its music scene great.
Sad news. Right before the 40th anniversary of Woodstock too. Alvin Lee gave Woodstock's single greatest performace on a Les Paul he modified himself with an added Fender pickup:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFpfureaCVs
Actually, Lee didn't use a solid body Gibson so my mistake. But I remember hearing him talk once about how Les Paul gave him a hard time for modifying a stock Gibson. Oh well.
I saw him just last September. He was still awesome. I'll tell you the craziest thing-- he didn't even use a guitar amp for those shows, he plugged into some effects and then straight into the mixer.
RIP.
Rest in Peace Mr. Paul. I saw you perform 5 years ago because I knew this dreaded day will come. I told everyone I knew to see you. People came to see you. Your presence gifted us all.
Good lord, I had no idea he was still playing in New York - I would have gladly braved Times Square to see him on numerous occasions. Some had told me he still lived in Westchester County, but I figured if he were still playing it would be limited to larger engagements and special events. Shocking to think he was still going at it so avidly, and having missed a chance to see him in person.
Here was a god of talent, innovation and genuine quality. The world is poorer without him in it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-edge/sets/72157594520657337/
My wife took me to see him on my birthday at Iridium. I've treasured this memory and will doubly so now.
Hard to imagine someone who's had more of an impact and influence on the music we listen to today.