Striking a chord: In memory of Les Paul

Les Paul truly was an American legend. He was an extraordinary musician, inventor, and innovator who greatly influenced popular culture.

Although Les Paul did not invent the first solid-body electric guitar as is frequently claimed, he was an electric guitar pioneer and virtuoso musician who should be best remembered for his inventions related to sound recording. Paul’s revolutionary recording techniques—including multi-tracking, overdubbing, and reverb—forever changed how the world hears music.

In 1996, the Smithsonian Institution awarded him the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal along with Julia Child and other luminaries. That same year, Paul was featured in the Lemelson Center’s “Electrified, Amplified, and Deified: The Electric Guitar, Its Makers, and Its Players” program series at the museum. While he was here, he was thrilled to get a chance to hold his 1941 “Log” guitar (pictured at left), which was on loan from the Country Music Hall of Fame for the Lemelson Center’s temporary exhibition From Frying Pan to Flying V: The Rise of the Electric Guitar.

Over the years many museum staff members—including me—enjoyed meeting Paul, who was a wonderful storyteller. A few even had the opportunity to interview him on camera for projects including the documentary Les Paul—Chasing Sound.

My last encounter with Les Paul was seeing him perform at the Iridium club in New York City in July 2007. At the age of 92 his love for playing the guitar, entertaining people, and mentoring young musicians was clearly evident and very inspiring. As my colleague, curator John Hasse said, Les Paul was “a man of amazing energy, stories, and legacy.”

Monica Smith is Exhibition Program Manager for the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation at the National Museum of American History.

Comments

[Mark]

Les Paul was a genius. So much of what we take for granted musically in performance and in the recording studio we owe to Les Paul. Les was the first to try and to master the art of double tracking. He built his own studio system in his garage to create the first multi-track recording system. His work with the folks at Gibson to create the Les Paul Guitar which is the best guitar in the business. Les also was a virtuoso guitar player who continued to astound his fans and great guitarists like Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton with his playing. Thank God for the recording legacy Les has left us. He may be gone phsyically but will remain with us forever in spirit and his body of work. Rest easy Les, enjoy your reuinion with Mary.

[Guitar Lessons LA]

Les Paul RIP! It's such a shame, I had the chance to meet him a couple of years ago but missed out cos I was ill. This guy probably influenced music more than anyone else, Beatles included ;-)

(How's that for a controversial comment)

[Tim B. Miller]

He will be missed!

A true pioneer in guitar.

I teach guitar for a living and I love to tell my students about Les Paul and what he has done for us guitarist all over the world.

With his talent we can all enjoy recording our music. What a brilliant mind he had!

God Bless ya Les+

[Jamplay]

A great loss, but his spirit will live on in the music.

My first electric guitar was a Les Paul, and it is still my favorite.

RIP

[Shayne]

I teach guitar and am forever telling my students about the great Les Paul.He was indeed an institution.His work with the folks at Gibson to create the Les Paul Guitar which is the best guitar in the business. Les also was a virtuoso guitar player who continued to astound his fans and great guitarists like Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton with his playing.May he rest in peace.

[Alan Adams]

He died? How come i didn't hear earlier of this? Omg... What a loss.. So true Jamplay, his spirit will live on in the music.

RIP Les

[Carlos Stanton]

What a loss. He actually changed the sound of the modern music.I like LP guitar and I respect LP. May he rest in peace.

[J McKay]

It was sad to hear he'd died.

I was at TapeOpCon in 2005(?) when he called in to a panel and the whole auditorium sang him happy birthday!

He was a pioneer, he'll be missed for a long time.

[Techno]

Even we in the electronic music community mourned the passing of Les Paul. He was truly a legend and a music pioneer. His genius will forever be felt.

[Phill Mason]

Les Paul - a true pioneering influence in today's music industry. An inspiring player right to the end and as a fellow musician, always a pleasure to watch. R.I.P

[Brett]

An absolute legend in the music industry where would we have been today without him. He really did change how we hear music.

May God bless you Les Paul

[Jeff Garner]

Boy, he could really tear it up for his age!
We'll miss him!

[Dewed]

Les Paul is certainly a legend, I think of him as the Henry Ford of music. The impact of his playing style & inventions can still be seen and heard today

[Chris]

Les Paul was a man who showed us all what someone who loved his work and worked his love could really accomplish...A LOT!!

An inspiration to us all. RIP, Les Paul.

[Joshua Garrett]

Les Paul was an amazing musician and pioneer in the music industry. I can't believe he was still playing at the age of 92!

[Michael]

Les Paul was a great musician, and very influential both in playing style and his technical skills dealing with guitars. Unfortunately I don't think enough people know much about him and only know him as the guy the Gibson Les Paul is named after. But he is a musician, not just a passing name.

[Shelby]

Les will always be remembered for his HUGE contribution to music. Most of the great guitar players today have him to thank in some way for being as great as they are. He is a legend that will live on, and never be forgotten.

[stephen clarke]

Praise be to the late great Les Paul, my first ever guitar was a Les Paul Standard and as far as electric guitars go they rule the world. Worth every single penny!!

[Barry]

Some of my songwriting has been done on a Les Paul - RIP!

[Eric]

I agree with Michael, if it wasn't for Les Paul music as we know it would not have been the same. People don't seem to know he actually invented multitrack recording. True Legend, one of the reasons I wanted to learn lead guitar

[TJ]

He was a true innovator and entrepreneur, there will never be another Les Paul.

[Glennstrumpetnotes.wordpress.com]

Yes, Les Paul, true pioneer of electric guitar music, belongs in the National Museum of American History. His genius spanned both the technological and musical worlds, and he brought them together in a totally new way. Few of us can say we created anything truly original in our lifetimes. Les Paul did that. And on top of that, he loved playing for people, and he did it so well--a rare man with a great legacy. I wonder if there are any trumpet players in the Smithsonian Institution...

[Mark Blayney]

Hi

Did some consultancy work a while ago with a small business building hand made electric guitars.

Never seen a business where so much love and effort went into the finished goods. Was a work of devotion and art not business. Great stuff.

Mark

[Tom Boyd]

He is such a legend and will be missed by everyone. What he did for music will never be forgotten.

[Laura]

I loved the music of Les Paul, fantastic guitarist, his chord voicing were amazing!