Couldn't see a thread already so i thought i'd start one.
Les Paul, pioneer of the solid-body electric guitar and multi-track recording (amongst other things), died yesterday at the age of 94.
He is one of those rare people whose impact on the music industry really cannot be understated. True to his roots, he played a blues night every monday in New York up until this year, despite his advancing years and the use of only two fingers on his fretting hand.
I saw a great documentary on his life, with considerable input from Les Paul himself, on BBC4 a year or so back. It was fascinating to hear about his early years and generally to hear what an interesting life he'd led. He truly was a legend in his own lifetime.
When I was to prepare a project on American music of 20th century for my school two years from now, to everybody's surprise, instead of talking only about bands I started off with talking about Mr Les Paul and his achievements...Afterwards, I was told by my schoolmates that I shouldn't have done it as the project should concern ONLY the bands and the music and that it was kinda boring to them...Stupid suckers!!! Can't they understand that if it hadn't been for Les Paul (and Leo Fender of course), we wouldn't have had American music of 20th century at all???
Now I know that I did the right thing when mentioning Mr Les Paul that day.
Besides, I own a Les Paul guitar and I love its deep sound. Just like to rev a Porsche engine up.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/14/2009 07:34PM by abdelkader.
EC83 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I saw a great documentary on his life, with > considerable input from Les Paul himself, on BBC4 > a year or so back. It was fascinating to hear > about his early years and generally to hear what > an interesting life he'd led. He truly was a > legend in his own lifetime. > > Massive respect Les, and rock on.
I saw that too, i never really knew much about him before that, apart from just knowing his name associated with Gibson and him inventing the solid-body. was a good documentary telling all about his early life as a writer-performer-musician with his wife and how he actually came up with the concept for his guitar.
as Senninho said, his impact on the world of music can't be measured, it was just too great.
and his passion for music and performing lasted till his last days i bet.
edit: the docu was called "Chasing Sound", and here's a small clip from it:
RIP Jules, never to be forgotten. #KeepFightingMichael
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/14/2009 10:23PM by Muks_C.