Guitar Guru Les Paul has Died

Thu, 13 Aug 2009

The Guitar-World has lost an icon today as it mourns the death of Les Paul, famous around the world for his Gibson-Guitar design. Originally named Lester William Polsfuss, he adopted the stage name Les Paul after his mother Evelyn changed the family name to Polfuss. Playing Jazz Music on Chicago radio in the 1930's, he also used the nickname "Red-Hot Red" releasing one of his first recordings under the pseudonym - Rhubarb Red!

It was at this point that Les Paul became unhappy with the Acoustic Guitars available at the time - and came up with "The Log" - made of 4 x 4 lumber with the neck, bridge and pick up, all attached to an Epiphone hollow-body Guitar for appearances sake!

During the years of his musical success, Les Paul played with Nat King Cole for the "Jazz at The Philharmonic" Inauguration concert in 1944, as well as appearing on Bing Crosby's radio show - the man who later invested in Les Paul's recording experiments.

It was in the early 1950's that The Gibson Guitar Corporation included Les Paul's designs into one of their Guitars, and needless to say, Paul was impressed! However, by the early 1960's Gibson felt that the design needed to be changed. This led to a disagreement between the two parties, and to the Gibson SG.

It wasn't until none other than Eric Clapton began playing the original Les Paul design, that the Guitar became fashionable once more, and Les Paul and Gibson picked up where they left off! The Gibson / Les Paul is to this day one of the most iconic images in Guitar, and Paul himself a legend.

May he Rest In Peace