Les Paul

Les Paul with his signature guitar.

Lester William Polsfuss (June 9, 1915 - August 12, 2009) (later known as Les Paul) was an award-winning country and jazz musician. He is credited with the invention of the electric guitar, as well as many recording techniques still used today.

## Biography[edit]

Paul was born in Waukesha, Washington in 1915. When he was 10 years old, his passion for gadgets became apparent--he fashioned a harmonica-holder out of a coat hanger so that he could play guitar while playing the harmonica.[1] By his late teens, he had moved to Chicago to play on the country music circuit.[2] While in Chicago, he led the house band at WJJD, billing himself as the "Wizard of Waukesha."[1]

In 1947, he met a singer named Colleen Summers. He changed her name to Mary Ford--a name he found in the telephone book--when he made the decision to go on tour with her. In 1948, Paul's musical career was almost ended when he shattered his right elbow in a car crash. However, he instructed surgeons to set his arm at a 90 degree angle so that he could still pick a guitar. The injury took a year and a half to recover from.[3]

Paul married Mary Ford in 1949. Recording as a duo, they released hits such as "How High the Moon" and "Viya Con Dios," both of which reached #1. These recordings introduced Paul's technique of "overdubbing"--layering musical sounds on top of one another as opposed to recording each one at the same time.[3]

In 1988, Les Paul was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Jeff Beck, a famous blues guitarist, was his presenter.[3] He is one of a handful of artists with a stand-alone exhibit.[4]

Les Paul died in 2009, having played a regular Monday-night gig at a New York City jazz club until shortly before he passed away.

## References[edit]

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Les Paul, Guitar Innovator, Dies at 94"; The New York Times Online
2. ↑ Les Paul biography
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
4. ↑ Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Exhibit Highlights