Are you saddened at the passing of guitar great Les Paul?
He certainly lived a full life since he made it to 94.
I think he was a special kind of man though. He was a true Renaissance Man in that he was fabulous guitarist, an inventor, an innovator who wasn’t afraid to try new things with the guitar and with recording technology.
Music today would not be what it is without his contributions.
He was also a great husband and human being.
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Maybe a little. Not so much at his passing, exactly. More saddened that his true talents were only appreciated by a small number of people, even though his influence was huge. It seems that he had a pretty full and fulfilling life. But, sometimes it is better to be on the edge of stardom than be thrust into its harsh light. He was a true pioneer.
Yes. He was a truly nice man.
Yes and No.
Yes for the passing of a Great.
No for a life fully lived. (Cause for celebration!!)
+ I’d settle for 94 without too much fuss.
<plays Stairway to Heaven on a Les Paul Guitar>
Oh, my, Marina. He’d have to be one of those about whom I’d say “I didn’t know he was still alive.” Les Paul and Mary Ford were on TV when I was a little gfirl in the 1950s. I had no idea he had been with us all this time.
I’d have to agree with @lloydbird: my sentiments eactly.
Bummer, what a genius.
My grandfathers ‘58 Gibson Les Paul is tite! The sound is as rich and deep as its honey blonde color.
Not really. I’m sure he was a good guy but I didn’t personally know him so…
If we were saddened by every death in the world we would be a terrible sight to behold.
I can still sing the lyrics to “How High the Moon.”
I love the Gibson Les Paul design. Truly genius.
@NaturalMineralWater: I bet if we all collectively felt the passing of others and the suffering, we’d do more about it. Maybe terrible, but there’d be some beauty to it.
As for Les Paul… sadface.
@gailcalled: I was singing that today on the way home, the Fluther told me the news. :(
More feelings of gratitute than sadness, it’s the end of a great, long life. The man left a legacy for future generations to admire. Respect!
I honestly didn’t know he was alive till today when he died. I’m not too sad but I feel that we have lost a great person.
I certainly love the sound of that Les Paul that my guitarist plays, sweetest sound I’ve ever heard.
Les Paul, we remember thee
@asmonet : As I have said before, you have an old soul. Les Paul and Mary Ford were around in the late forties and fifties.
Other hits:
“Mockin’ Bird Hill,” “The Tennessee Waltz,” “The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise” and “Vaya Con Dios.”
Of course I am saddened by the loss to the world, but Mr. Paul led a good, long, productive life doing something he loved.
Besides, where would music be today without his fiddling around with solid-body electric guitars? My brother loves his Gibson Les Paul, although he doesn’t play it as often these days.
immensely. most of my guitars are Les Paul’s :-/.
small note: I went to work in a les paul shirt today before even knowing he died, thought that was interesting, for lack of a more fitting term.
I was sad to hear of it. Les Paul was a great man, and while I may have never met him, I have enjoyed the music his inventions helped create.
I can prove there is no justice in the world. Les Paul is dead, and yet, Karl Rove is still breathing our oxygen.
i honestly don’t know a thing about the man, and have no guitar knowledge either. however, i do respect him for having such an incredible influence over music, so i do mourn his death.
Saw this little blurb somewhere, for people who didn’t know much about him:
“During his long tenure on this planet, Les Paul was something like the Thomas Edison of music—he is responsible for such groundbreaking inventions as multitrack recording, overdubbing, delay effects and, of course, the solid-body electric guitar. His work eventually earned him induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2005.”
Since i didn’t personally know the guy the answer would be no , here goes a wave of commemorative guitars from Gibson and a concert in his name .
Just as a little extra note i hate Gibson guitars, Leo Fender is the true genius behind electric solid bodies.
@sandystrachan – wow. bitter dismissal for what reason?
Leo Fender is brilliant.
Les Paul was the original.
both men were/are extraordinary.
Les Paul not only pioneered the electric guitar, but was one of the first to use overdubbing so one person could play/sing in harmony with one self. He and his wife at the time, Mary Ford had a short program on tv in the ‘50’s. I don’t remember a lot about it, but I do remember Mary Ford’s harmonies with herself and Les’s use of reverb, which was also an innovative technique for that time
Not sad because he died but certainly happy because he was born to create his great guitar.
Anyone who makes a positive contribution and leaves a household name must be admired. Les Paul. Fender, Hoover (that’s the vacuum cleaner of course…. :-)
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