Five Classic Les Paul Guitar Performances
Les Paul, a guitar player better known for his innovations concerning solid body guitars, has died at the age of 94, reports the Associated Press. According to the home page of Gibson, Paul's friends and family were at his side at the time of death. Paul succumbed to complications from pneumonia.
The list of accomplishments Paul was responsible for is a lengthy and mind-blowing one. Paul pioneered the solid body guitar, an instrument that has no internal cavity or sound holes in which to accommodate sound vibrations. He developed multi-track recording, delay and phasing effects. He essentially was responsible for the equipment and techniques that made rock recording what it is.
Paul continued playing regularly, performing a weekly gig at Manhattan's Iridium club well into his 90s. Those who put off seeing the master because there was "always next Monday" will now never see him. Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
Below are five legendary performances featuring the Les Paul guitar. R.I.P. Mr. Paul... your guitar and your legacy live on.
"Dazed and Confused," Jimmy Page
No one bowed the Les Paul like Jimmy. Led Zeppelin was never so loud and woozy.
"Sweet Child O'Mine," Slash
That tone! It makes this Guns n' Roses tune a classic.
"Won't Get Fooled Again," Pete Townshend
Pete Townshend's windmill on a Les Paul during a Who classic... rock perfection.
"Don't Keep Me Wonderin'," Duane Allman
Duane Allman was once asked which parts were his and which were Eric Clapton's on their Derek & the Dominos LP. Duane's response? "I play the Gibson, Eric plays the Fender." Here are the Allmans at the Fillmore.
"More Than A Feeling," Tom Scholz
Another guitar innovator was Tom Scholz, who invented the Rockman guitar amplifier. But he is mainly known for being the guitarist and songwriter for Boston. One other Scholz pioneering move: he was the only member of Boston in 1977 to go without facial hair.
