Les Paul Dead

Another legend has joined the pantheon in Rock and Roll Heaven. Les Paul is dead at age 94. (June 9, 1915–August 13, 2009)

Lester William Polsfuss, (a.k.a. Les Paul) was a musician and inventor. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar, which "made the sound of rock and roll possible." He is credited with inventing or discovering many recording innovations including overdubbing (also known as sound on sound), delay effects such as tape delay, phasing effects, and multitrack recording.(Source: Wikipedia)

So, yeah, he didn't INVENT the electric guitar, but he was one of those handful of pioneers that brought the electric sound to public attention. Funny that even as late as the 1960's the sound was shunned by purists, with Bob Dylan being called a sellout and a traitor by the die-hard folkies.

We really don't think much about it today, but what would our world be like today if the electric guitar -- and amplified sound, for that matter -- had not been invented? What was it about a screaming guitar that fueled the imagination and fired up a generation or two? Would Woodstock have been remembered 40 years later if Jimmy Hendrix had not played the Star-Spangled Banner left-handed on a right-hand strung Fender? (and later set it on fire?)

It might even be argued that the world might not be quite as America-centric as it is were it not for our Rock Musicians. It sounds like the ravings of an over the hill rocker, but in truth it bears examination. As much as our Hollywood stars did for the cause, it was our electric musicians that took who we are to the world -- in a way that the British Invasion never could. While bands like the Beatles, Stones, Zeppelin, etc are not "from around here," I believe they came here because of what America represents. Had it not been for the ready acceptance of the American audience, those bands would never have made it elsewhere. Hell, we made modern music what it is, for better or worse.

RIP, Les. Rock In Peace