Les Paul
The inventor, the musician, the legend
Origins and Early Life
Lester William Polsfuss was born on June 9, 1915 in Waukesha, Wisconsin. A child prodigy, he played the guitar and harmonica from an early age. He performed under the name Les Paul on radio in the 1930s.
Revolutionary inventions
In 1941, he built “The Log”, a prototype solid-body guitar made from a railroad rail post, laying the foundation for the modern electric guitar. He later collaborated with Gibson to create the Gibson Les Paul in 1952, one of the most iconic guitars in rock history.
He was also a pioneer of multitrack recording, inventing the concept of overdubbing and developing revolutionary studio techniques with Ampex.
As a duo with his wife Mary Ford, Les Paul achieved major commercial success in the 1950s with hits such as “How High the Moon” and “Vaya con Dios”, using his overdubbing techniques to create unprecedented vocal and instrumental harmonies. The couple sold millions of records and hosted a popular television show.
Legacy
Les Paul was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2005. He continued performing at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York every Monday night until shortly before his death on August 12, 2009, at the age of 94.
