August 14th, 2009 
weldamfm 
Legendary guitarist Les Paul died of complications from pneumonia at the age of 94. Read more on Les Paul’s life and death below.
Les Paul pioneered designs of electric guitars and helped bring on the beginning of rock and roll.
Les died of complications from pneumonia at a New York hospital.
Paul has been a dominant force in music since World War II.
Paul and his wife Mary Ford had many hits in the forties and fifties including “Mockin’ Bird Hill” and “How High the Moon.”
Paul was the creator of one of the first solid-body electric guitars in 1941, and went on to pioneer multi-track recording.
Les Paul played huge part in the birth of rock and roll when he teamed up with Gibson. The design became the manufacturer’s best selling electric guitar, called the Les Paul model.
The Les Paul guitar has been known as one of the best with fans such as Slash, Pete Townshend and Jimmy Page.
Slash said: “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.”
Jazz guitarist Pat Metheny added: “It is hard to over-estimate the impact that Les Paul has had on our culture.”
Les Paul began as a jazz guitarist, and after he left school at age 17 he began working in radio bands under the name of Rhubarb Red. By 1934 he was in Chicago performing jazz and hillbilly shows.
Les Paul overcame injuries to his right arm and elbow after a car accident in Oklahoma in 1948, and he convinced his doctors to set his broken arm in the cradling and guitar-strumming position.
He is survived by three sons Lester, Gene and Robert, his daughter Colleen Wess, son-in-law Gary Wess, long time friend Arlene Palmer, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
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Images: Wenn.com
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