Happy Birthday Mr. Les Paul

Lester "Les Paul" Polsfuss | 1915-2009

Born Lester William Polsfuss in Waukesha, Wisconsin, he was a man that transcended and revolutionized music as we know it today. He was a pioneer in the invention of the solid-body guitar, called "The Log", by attaching the standard neck, strings and wings of an Epiphone to a 4x4 and adding a pickup. This style of guitar is what has made the hard rock and metal that we all love and cherish today possible.

Not only was he an inventor, but he was an accomplished performer as well. Along with his wife Mary Ford in the 1950's, they sold millions of records with their innovative techniques and sound. In 1947 he signed with Capitol Records and became a pioneer in multi-track recording with his "New Sound." His licks, trills, chording sequences, frettind techniques inspired generations of guitar players, including some of today's most legendary shredders.

"My main guitar is a Les Paul. A lot of great guitar players played a Les Paul, so I identified with the sound of it. It's an extension of what I'm trying to communicate as a musician."

- Slash of Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver

 "Les is an old friend of mine. He gave me this special white Les Paul -- he wound the pickups himself -- for my birthday, first time I met him. I play everything from heavy metal to blues to jazz on it. He just hit it right on the head when he designed the Les Paul. I like it better than most girlfriends I've had. The godfather of rock 'n' roll, I call him. Without him, none of us would have a job."
- Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi

One of the countless honors presented to Les Paul was the stand-alone exhibit of himself at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an honor given to only a handful of legendary rockers. The list of honors and awards that Les Paul received over his lifetime is seemingly endless, just as his impact on the music world has been. On this day we say "Happy Birthday Mr. Les Paul!" and thank you for all you've done for music.

If you love music, whether it be jazz, blues, metal or rock n' roll, your life has been impacted by the work and life of one of the greatest Americans our country has ever known.  Thank you Les Paul!