Music

Les Paul | 1915-2009

In 1953, Mary Ford and Les Paul strum in the television studio that serves as their workroom at their Oakland, N.J., home. The couple liked to test their records to see how they would sound to jukebox listeners.

Mary Ford and Les Paul strum In the television studio which is their workroom at their Oakland, NJ, home December 20, 1953. Mary sings softly as they listen to one of their records to determine whether it should have had more guitar playing. They like to check their records on juke boxes to hear how they sound to some of the listeners. Their multiple recording sound has sold millions of records. They have become popular through the technique of making the two of them sound like a band and chorus, through the multiple recording technique perfected by Paul. (AP Photo/Dan Grossi)  (Dan Grossi / Associated Press)

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FILE - In this Dec. 20, 1963 file photo, Les Paul repairs one of the many control boards in the control room at his Oakland, N.J., home. Paul, 94, the guitarist and inventor who changed the course of music with the electric guitar and multitrack recording and had a string of hits, died, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009 in White Plains, N.Y., according to Gibson Guitar. (AP Photo/Dan Grossi, file)

FILE - In this Dec. 20, 1963 file photo, Les Paul repairs one of the many control boards in the control room at his Oakland, N.J., home. Paul, 94, the guitarist and inventor who changed the course of music with the electric guitar and multitrack recording and had a string of hits, died, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009 in White Plains, N.Y., according to Gibson Guitar. (AP Photo/Dan Grossi, file)  (Dan Grossi / Associated Press)

FILE - In this Feb. 19, 1977 file photo, Les Paul, right, and Chet Atkins, left, are presented Grammies by Dolly Parton and Freddie Fender, second from right, at 19th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Paul, 94, the guitarist and inventor who changed the course of music with the electric guitar and multitrack recording and had a string of hits, died, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009 in White Plains, N.Y., according to Gibson Guitar. (AP Photo/George Brich, file)

FILE - In this Feb. 19, 1977 file photo, Les Paul, right, and Chet Atkins, left, are presented Grammies by Dolly Parton and Freddie Fender, second from right, at 19th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Paul, 94, the guitarist and inventor who changed the course of music with the electric guitar and multitrack recording and had a string of hits, died, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009 in White Plains, N.Y., according to Gibson Guitar. (AP Photo/George Brich, file)  (George Birch / Associated Press)

Guitar designer Les Paul, center, who pioneered multi-track rock music recording, signs former Led Zepplin guitarist Jimmy Page's chest after signing his guitar at a 72nd birthday party thrown for Les Paul by the Gibson Guitar Company at New York's Hard Rock Cafe, Monday, June 11, 1987. Guitarist Jeff Beck is at left. (AP Photo/John Bellissimo)

Guitar designer Les Paul, center, who pioneered multi-track rock music recording, signs former Led Zepplin guitarist Jimmy Page’s chest after signing his guitar at a 72nd birthday party thrown for Les Paul by the Gibson Guitar Company at New York’s Hard Rock Cafe, Monday, June 11, 1987. Guitarist Jeff Beck is at left. (AP Photo/John Bellissimo)  (John Bellissimo / Associated Press)

98-05-01 -- Les Paul , left, and Slash team up at the House of Blues show. PHOTOGRAPHER: GARY FRIEDMAN / Los Angeles Times CA.LesPaul.2.0429.GF. Guitar guru Les Paul (left) in concert Wednesday, 4/29/98 at House of Blues in West Hollywood--pictured with Slash (right), one of the guest artists performing with Paul --LAT/GARY FRIEDMANPhoto/Art by:Gary Friedman

98-05-01 -- Les Paul , left, and Slash team up at the House of Blues show. PHOTOGRAPHER: GARY FRIEDMAN / Los Angeles Times CA.LesPaul.2.0429.GF. Guitar guru Les Paul (left) in concert Wednesday, 4/29/98 at House of Blues in West Hollywood--pictured with Slash (right), one of the guest artists performing with Paul --LAT/GARY FRIEDMANPhoto/Art by:Gary Friedman  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

95-05-24 -- COLOR, (B1) VINTAGE GUITARS : When Norman's Rare Guitars opened in Reseda in 1975, it was one of only three or four vintage guitar stores in the nation. Now there are 20 in Los Angeles, but business is still brisk. Above, a 1959 Gibson Les Paul guitar . B1 PHOTOGRAPHER: RICHARD DERK / Los Angeles Times 95-05-18(Valley) -- COLOR, This Gibson Les Paul is the kind of guitar collectors crave. PHOTOGRAPHER: RICHARD DERK / Los Angeles Times SF.Guitar .#1.Rd.5-16-95 VAL COL - Reseda: A 1959 Gibson Sunburst guitar priced at what the market will pay. ????????? Photo: RICHARD DERK LAT.

95-05-24 -- COLOR, (B1) VINTAGE GUITARS : When Norman’s Rare Guitars opened in Reseda in 1975, it was one of only three or four vintage guitar stores in the nation. Now there are 20 in Los Angeles, but business is still brisk. Above, a 1959 Gibson Les Paul guitar . B1 PHOTOGRAPHER: RICHARD DERK / Los Angeles Times 95-05-18(Valley) -- COLOR, This Gibson Les Paul is the kind of guitar collectors crave. PHOTOGRAPHER: RICHARD DERK / Los Angeles Times SF.Guitar .#1.Rd.5-16-95 VAL COL - Reseda: A 1959 Gibson Sunburst guitar priced at what the market will pay. ????????? Photo: RICHARD DERK LAT.  (Richard Derk / Los Angeles TImes)

TARZANA-CA-APRIL 18, 2009: A 1960 Les Paul Standard electric guitar is photographed at Norman's Rare Guitars in Tarzana on Saturday, April 18, 2009. (Christina House / For The Times)

TARZANA-CA-APRIL 18, 2009: A 1960 Les Paul Standard electric guitar is photographed at Norman’s Rare Guitars in Tarzana on Saturday, April 18, 2009. (Christina House / For The Times)  (Christina House / For The Times)

Music legends Les Paul, 88, left, and B.B. King, 77, put their heads together during a jam session at the third anniversary celebration of the B.B. King Blues Club and Grill in New York's Times Square, Tuesday night June 17, 2003. Paul holds King's signature "Lucille" guitar, which he played.(AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Music legends Les Paul, 88, left, and B.B. King, 77, put their heads together during a jam session at the third anniversary celebration of the B.B. King Blues Club and Grill in New York’s Times Square, Tuesday night June 17, 2003. Paul holds King’s signature “Lucille” guitar, which he played.(AP Photo/Richard Drew)  (Richard Drew / Associated Press)

FILE - In this Oct. 4, 2004 file photo, guitar legend Les Paul gets ready to rehearse at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York. Paul, 94, the guitarist and inventor who changed the course of music with the electric guitar and multitrack recording and had a string of hits, died, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009 in White Plains, N.Y., according to Gibson Guitar. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, file)

FILE - In this Oct. 4, 2004 file photo, guitar legend Les Paul gets ready to rehearse at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York. Paul, 94, the guitarist and inventor who changed the course of music with the electric guitar and multitrack recording and had a string of hits, died, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009 in White Plains, N.Y., according to Gibson Guitar. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, file)  (Richard Drew / Associated Press)

(FILES) US President George W. Bush (L) shakes hands with guitar pioneer Les Paul before presenting him with the 2007 National Medal of Arts, 15 November 2007, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC. Les Paul, the guitarist and inventor who changed the course of music with the electric guitar and multitrack recording died at age 94 of complications of pneumonia on August 13, 2009 in New York.

(FILES) US President George W. Bush (L) shakes hands with guitar pioneer Les Paul before presenting him with the 2007 National Medal of Arts, 15 November 2007, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC. Les Paul, the guitarist and inventor who changed the course of music with the electric guitar and multitrack recording died at age 94 of complications of pneumonia on August 13, 2009 in New York.  (Mandel Ngan / AFP/Getty Images)

NEW YORK - DECEMBER 02: (FILE PHOTO) Guitar legend Les Paul attends the grand opening of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ANNEX NYC on December 2, 2008 in New York City. According to reports, guitarist and recording and guitar inventor Les Paul died August 13, 2009 of complications from pneumonia at the age of 94.

NEW YORK - DECEMBER 02: (FILE PHOTO) Guitar legend Les Paul attends the grand opening of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ANNEX NYC on December 2, 2008 in New York City. According to reports, guitarist and recording and guitar inventor Les Paul died August 13, 2009 of complications from pneumonia at the age of 94.  (Amy Sussman / Getty Images)

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