Happy Birthday Les Paul

One of my regrets is not going to see Les Paul playing in New York. Now it is too late (he would have been 96 today). Not only did Les Paul pioneer multi-track recording which is fundamental to any recording studio in the world, he invented the solid-body electric guitar. The Gibson Les Paul electric guitar is probably the most famous guitar in the world.

Gibson Guitar Wall, shot at the Hard Rock café, Times Square, New York

Just some of the bands and artists that have used the Les Paul are:

• Led Zeppelin
• The Doors
• Nickelback
• Jeff Beck
• Eric Clapton
• Pink Floyd
• George Harrison
• Brian Jones
• John Lennon
• Bob Marley
• Garry Moore
• Paul Mc Cartney
• Mike Oldfield
• Keith Richards
• Carlos Santana
• Pete Townshend
• Muddy Waters
• Ronnie Wood
• AC/DC
• Frank Zappa
• And of course Mike from tuesday’s child (my old band)

So next time you listen to your favourite band, spare a though for the man that helped make it all happen.

Thanks to Sally for reminding me of his birthday.