Les Paul
Les Paul was a skilled guitarist and pioneer in the development of modern electric instruments and recording techniques.
Lester William Polsfuss
Guitarist
June 9, 1915
Gemini
August 12, 2009
94
Waukesha, Wisconsin
Les Paul, a renowned American musician, inventor, and innovator, significantly impacted the sound of rock and roll through his contributions to the creation of the solid-body electric guitar. Among his most notable achievements are the development of the Gibson Les Paul guitar, his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and receiving a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Additionally, he was a pioneer in multitrack recording and invented the first reverb guitar amplifier and the “Les Paulverizer” effects device. Several prominent musicians, such as Randy Rhoads, Neil Young, Slash, Eric Clapton, and Kirk Hammett, have played Les Paul guitars. As a skilled guitarist himself, Les Paul was a crucial figure in shaping modern electric instruments and recording techniques.