Musical legend and pioneer Les Paul died on Thursday. Few people outside of the hardcore music community understand how monumental a life he lead. His innovations ARE popular music. Without them we’d be living in a world that sounds much different.
When people hear the name Les Paul odds are the word association that comes to mind is “guitar.” In 1939 he created one of the first solid-body electric guitars ever known as “the log” (pictured here). However, it did not initially take off. It took til 1950 before Gibson released the first Les Paul model guitar (after Rickenbacher and Fender had already released solid-body electrics). It may come as a suprise, but Paul himself did not have a great deal to do with designing the guitar that bares his name, he was more of the pitchman/face of the brand. The model went on to become one of the most iconic instruments in rock ‘n roll.
The advances he made to recording are actually more significant than his signature guitar. He was the first person to multitrack record music. During the recordings he also developed the process of overdubbing. It’s astounding to think of what music would be like without these innovations. As if that wasn’t enough, he is also credited as the first person to use phase and delay effects by manipulating the recordings. All these are techniques are used on every recording you’ve probably ever heard. They’re such commonplace that it’s hard to imagine music before them.
On top of all that he was an incredible performer. His career as a guitarist (specializing in jazz and blues) began in the 1930s performing on radio (back when radio was all live performances). As he continued to perform and record he eventually landed his own program on NBC. Over the course of his career he released dozens of albums. Time did not slow down his passion for music, as he remained an active performer into his 90s. His 90s!!!
It’s almost staggering how little attention this is getting. Just as soon as news of his passing reach the news cycle it was gone. CNN’s Entertainment page still boasts two links dealing with Michael Jackson’s death, yet have none for Paul. Not to speak ill of the dead (again), but Michael Jackson is insignificant to music compared to Les Paul. Sure Jackson was a tremendously popular singer, but his impact is mostly as an inspiration to younger artists. After all, when was the last time you heard something modern that you immediately thought was directly influenced by Jackson? (Junior Senior is the only thing that comes to mind.) On the other hand, Paul’s recording innovation impact all music. All of it. You could take away the creation of the solid-body electric guitar and the stylistically innovative guitar playing and he’s still the greater of the two.
I suppose it’s better in a way. I’m glad there aren’t helicopter circling Paul’s home. I’m glad TMZ doesn’t care. It makes no sense, but in a way his legacy is almost like that cool band that you discover before everyone else and you label as your own. To true music lovers Les Paul will always be amazing and will always be “ours,” and we don’t care if nobody else catches on.
Leave a Comment
No comments yet.
Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI
