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The interview with Les Paul (1915-2009) took place in April 2008, coordinated from Los Angeles, I flew to New York just to have the opportunity to speak with the Les Paul earlier in the day before his performance that evening at the Iridium.
Les typically played two shows every Monday night (8:00 PM and 10:00 PM). He performed with the Les Paul Trio, which often included Lou Pallo on guitar and Nicki Parrott on bass.
His shows were famous for surprise appearances by guitar icons like Slash, Steve Miller, and Paul McCartney. Les Paul continued this Monday night tradition until his final performance on June 1, 2009, just months before he passed away in August 2009. Les Paul’s accomplishments are so vast that he is often called the "Father of Modern Music". He is uniquely recognized as the only person inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
Musical Inventions & Technology include, Solid-Body Electric Guitar: In 1941, he built "The Log," one of the first solid-body electric guitars, which eventually led to the iconic Gibson Les Paul model.
Multitrack Recording: He pioneered the technique of recording separate tracks and layering them, effectively inventing the modern studio process.
Studio Effects: He is credited with developing overdubbing (sound-on-sound), tape delay, phasing, and reverb.
8-Track Tape Recorder: He commissioned the first 8-track "Octopus" recorder from Ampex, allowing for even more complex arrangements.
The Paulverizer: A device attached to his guitar that allowed him to control recording and playback loops live on stage.
He also achieved Chart-Topping Hits: Alongside his wife, Mary Ford, he had numerous #1 hits in the 1950s, including "How High the Moon" and "Vaya Con Dios". Les was a virtuoso guitarist: Known for his "brassy" playing style and lightning-fast runs, he influenced generations of guitarists from Eric Clapton to Slash. Les Paul won multiple Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award (1983) and a Technical Grammy (2001).
National Medal of Arts: Awarded in 2007 by the National Endowment for the Arts for his contributions to American culture.
Emmy Award: Received a Lifetime Achievement Award in Engineering in 2004.
KPFK Music Director Maggie LePique interviewed then-92 year old Les Paul before his weekly performance at the Iridium Club in New York City on April 7th, 2008. On a chilly Monday afternoon before his first set, Les was in great form: what started out as a friendly conversation becomes a whirlwind overview of this legendary guitar player and inventor. From his early hard body electric guitar invention to the Les Pulverizer to his first ever multi-track recording to his blistering guitar technique, Les Paul is the original Guitar Hero. ENJOY!!
Source: https://www.les-paul.com/
Source: https://lespaulverizer.com/
Host Maggie LePique, a radio veteran since the 1980's at NPR in Kansas City Mo. She began her radio career in Los Angeles in the early 1990's and has worked for Pacifica station KPFK Radio in Los Angeles since 1994.
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