Image courtesy of NY Daily News

Legendary guitarist Les Paul died of pneumonia yesterday in White Plains, New York.  He was 94.  Paul’s contributions to rock music can hardly be overstated–he invented the electric guitar as well as multi-track recording, two inventions that defined rock and roll as it developed.  He was also a renowned player of the instrument he helped invent, playing well into his 90′s even though he was hampered by arthritis in his fingers.   He invented a style of solid-body guitar that he couldn’t get anyone interested in for 10 years, until finally Gibson produced it in 1952.  It is simply called the Gibson Les Paul.

Les Paul had been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Inventors’ Hall of Fame, the Grammy Hall of Fame, and the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame.  He is survived by three sons, a daughter, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The Gibson Les Paul Guitar