More Les! Mr. Paul and the Art and Science of Sound

Gibson still produces his signature model, based on his specs, and legions of guitarists have used the model to springboard to greatness. As if that’s not enough, in 1947, Paul was the first person to overlay multiple tracks on one of his recordings, using acetate disks and an invention he constructed mostly out of auto parts. The ideas of layered sounds, overdubbing, tape delay and all sorts of effect-processing—the M.O. of virtually all modern recording professionals—originate with Les Paul’s innovations. When introduced to the reel-to-reel audio tape recorder, he adapted it to record multiple tracks also.

When introduced to the reel-to-reel audio tape recorder, he adapted it to record multiple tracks also. He recalled in an interview that a few years after that, he was at Capitol Records in Hollywood, when he spotted his baby covered up in a hallway. They had not thought to use it for anything other than Les’ brilliant records with his wife and musical partner Mary Ford (must-haves for anyone interested in music history). He was amazed that he had to tell them to start using it for all sorts of recordings. The rest is history.

Here’s some great footage of him demonstrating one of his devices, the “Les Paulverisor”, simultaneously rocking the house. He turns his “guitar into an orchestra”, an idea famously voiced by Beethoven upon initially hearing a Spanish “classical” guitar performance.

Les Paul said something during an interview on NPR when he was 90 that continues to inspire: “Every setback might be the very thing that makes you carry on and fight all the harder and become that much better…” He was thinking that way at 90! If only we could all look at setbacks and mistakes like that. The guy’s still going, playing at NYC’s Iridium most Mondays. Catch him … if you can!

*UPDATE *13 August 2009: We are saddened to hear that the great master has passed. Thank you, Les. You were, and continue to, be an inspiration to us to keep going, to invent, to be musical! God bless Les.