Les Paul Dies at age 94

Rickey Medlocke — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:47:43 +0000

“I’m so thankful that this guy was such an incredible genius for developing such a great guitar. I am a 3rd generation Gibson user and I always will be. God bless Les Paul.”

Les Paul Dies at age 94

Mick Jones — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:46:21 +0000

“As a child I was introduced to the sound of Les Paul through my parent’s record collection. It was a spellbinding moment when I first heard ‘How High The Moon’ featuring Mary Ford. His innovation and recording techniques contributed greatly to the creation of Rock music.”

Les Paul Dies at age 94

Derek Trucks — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:44:50 +0000

“Les Paul played until the day he died. I admire that… That’s the way you live a life.”
On his many achievements Derek Trucks said, “You could take any one of the many things he did and it would have been enough for most people. Inventing multi-tracking and then the 1st great solid body electric guitar. The amount of things he pulled off is pretty astounding.”

Les Paul Dies at age 94

Joe Perry — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:43:58 +0000

“As a guitarist and a fan of music in general, I know the amazing contributions Les Paul made in his lifetime to the art of making music. I think if the general public knew how much of that influence is heard every day in the music that they listen to, they would be amazed. He was a true genius. The few times that I had met him, he made me feel like I had known him forever. He was always sharp, ready to rock and he was always talking about his next gig. Knowing that he is not walking the earth anymore is sad and I have lost a friend. But every time I pick up a guitar I’ll know that his spirit is alive and well right next to me. “

Les Paul Dies at age 94

Keith Urban — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:43:08 +0000

“I have a mix of emotions today. On one hand, I am deeply saddened at Les Paul’s passing, and on the other a feeling of incredible gratitude and awe for his unquantifiable contribution to the world of music. His name adorns so many of the creations that I communicate through every night out here on the road…He is also very present every time I set foot in the studio and am able to lay multiple tracks as I record, when I use echo, etc., the list of his inventions, in addition to his famous signature model Gibson, are extraordinary. I also feel that even in his nineties, the fact he was still playing every Monday night in New York is perhaps the most beautiful and inspiring achievement of all. As Vince Gill would say, “Go rest high on that mountain Les…cause son, your work on earth is done.”

Les Paul Dies at age 94

Butch Walker — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:42:02 +0000

“Les Paul… I will always owe you.. bigtime…”

Les Paul Dies at age 94

Ace Frehley — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:41:04 +0000

“The music industry has lost a giant! I’m very saddened by the news of Les Paul’s passing. I was lucky enough to have known Les as a friend, and admired him as a musician and innovator. He forever changed the way we listen to music.”

Les Paul Dies at age 94

Joan Jett — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:39:04 +0000

“I, and everyone at Blackheart Records, mourn the passing of our dear friend, Les Paul. He was a genius inventor, musical innovator, and a wonderful person. Without the advances he pioneered, the recording sciences and the electric guitar would have been left years behind. I will miss him so much.”

Les Paul Dies at age 94

guitarpa — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:38:20 +0000

“Yes, it is very painful when you lose a man, his music, and his everyday presence here on this planet called earth. For us musicians that knew the bar that this man Mr. Les Paul set, not only for guitar players but for music in general, especially rock music, the world will never be the same. His famous Gibson Les Paul brand Guitar’s are still to this day the number one hottest rock guitar on the market. I got the opportunity in 1991 to do a session with Mr. Paul when I was with Dee-Lite, we did a song called: “A little More of Les”. yes, one of my corky titles of course, but It was such an inspiration to be in the presence of such greatness, he will be sadly missed by many. We love you Les!”

Les Paul Dies at age 94

Keb' Mo' — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:37:38 +0000

“He’s a guy who played right up to the end, that’s what we all want to do! With his brilliant playing and invention of multi track recording, Les Paul changed the face of music history.”

Les Paul Dies at age 94

Joe Satriani — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:36:42 +0000

“Les Paul set a standard for musicianship and innovation that remains unsurpassed. He was the original guitar hero, and the kindest of souls. Last October I joined him onstage at The Iridium club in NYC, and he was still shredding. He was and still is an inspiration to us all.”

Les Paul Dies at age 94

Slash — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:35:49 +0000

“Les Paul was a shining example of how full one’s life can be, he was so vibrant and full of positive energy. I’m honored and humbled to have known and played with him over the years, he was an exceptionally brilliant man.”

Les Paul Dies at age 94

Tad Kubler — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:34:18 +0000

“There are very few human beings in history that touched so many people the way Les Paul did. He shared his gifts with everyone and brought people together with his brilliance and devotion to music and the art of sound. It was a privilege to have met him. He will be incredibly missed. But our blessing is to know his spirit and soul will live for eternity in music everywhere.”

Les Paul Dies at age 94

Wes Scantlin — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:33:31 +0000

“Les and I have the same birthday – it is an honor to have been born on the same day as such a genius guitarist, innovator and human being”

Les Paul Dies at age 94

Neil Portnow (President/CEO of The Recording Academy®) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:32:02 +0000

“Three-time GRAMMY® winner Les Paul was a musical mastermind whose innovations in electric guitar and recorded music are unparalleled. A 1983 Trustees Award recipient and a 2001 Technical GRAMMY Award recipient, his career and contributions to popular music will forever be celebrated, and will continue to influence future generations of musicians. His magnetic charm and sunny disposition matched his incredible skill set, and he will always be remembered with great fondness, humility, and respect. The music industry has lost a true innovator and legend.”

Les Paul Dies at age 94

Terry Stewart (President of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:30:50 +0000

“Without Les Paul, we would not have rock and roll as we know it,” said Terry Stewart, president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. “His inventions created the infrastructure for the music and his playing style will ripple through generations. He was truly an architect of rock and roll.”

Les Paul Dies at age 94

Elliot Easton — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:29:34 +0000

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Les Paul. It is simply impossible to overstate the impact he has had on the modern world and our culture. There are those that refer to Les as “the Thomas Edison of Music Technology”. To me that is inadequate. Thomas Edison never invented a device that could make the world fall in love with you. There isn’t a person working in the music industry today that doesn’t benefit in some way from Les’ pioneering work.”

Les Paul Dies at age 94

Brian Wilson — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:27:58 +0000

“Les Paul and Mary Ford were among my most favorite musicians in the 50′s. He was the first guy to do multi guitar multi track recording and that turned me on to guitars and stacking vocals for our records.”

Les Paul Dies at age 94

Johnny A. — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:27:11 +0000

“I am personally very saddened by the passing of Mr. Les Paul. As well as being such an iconic figure in the world of music, as a player and inventor, Les was truly a gentleman with an unbeatable sense of humor. It has been my honor to have known and played with him. His spirit will surely be missed.”

Les Paul Dies at age 94

Dave Navarro — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:23:29 +0000

“Les is single handedly responsible for the direction and evolution of the modern rock movement. Period. If you are a fan of modern music, you owe Les Paul an enormous THANK YOU!”

Les Paul Dies at age 94

Don Miggs — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:22:13 +0000

“I used to promise myself that every trip back home to NY should be capped off with seeing Les perform. I knew he wasn’t going to be around forever and seeing him was a “must-do.” Sadly, I never made good on my promise but one night I was walking into a deli and who do I see? Yup. My palms went sweaty, my tongue felt thick and I got a pit in my stomach, but I stopped him with a grunt of some sort. He looked me square in eye like “don’t miss this moment,” and I gulped and said, “It’s because of you I can put food on my family’s table, thank you,” and he said, “You’ve done that for yourself, son, but thank you.” And he was gone. Ah, Les, thank you thank you.”

Les Paul Dies at age 94

Randy Bachman — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:19:19 +0000

“I am deeply touched by the passing of Les Paul who I first met in 1959. As a guitarist, composer, electronic innovator and inventor he was beyong genius and there was none other like him. He was a true musical gift from God to the world and spent his life honoring that gift. I proudly play my Les Paul guitars every night on stage and never forget the moments we shared.”

Les Paul Dies at age 94

Gary Rossington — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:16:24 +0000

“I am very saddened to hear about the passing of Les Paul, he was an amazing guitarist. I play a Les Paul guitar every night and it’s the best sounding guitar ever made. I have a framed t-shirt on my wall, signed by Les Paul that I admire when I’m at home, Les was the best!”

Les Paul Dies at age 94

Billy Gibbons — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:06:50 +0000

"Les Paul brought six strings to electricity and electricity to six strings. Les Paul was an innovator, a groundbreaker, a risk taker, a mentor and a friend. Try to imagine what we'd be doing if he hadn't come along and changed the world. There will always be more Les to come. That's certified."

Les Paul Dies at age 94

Life — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:26:55 +0000