RIP Les Paul

["William Walker" <billwalker@baymoon.com>]

I wanted to share an antidote about the great Les Paul. In his early days he had a dual career as Les Paul the jazz musician and under the pseudonym, Rhubarb Red as a country artist.  When he was in the early stages of his career he approached the Larson brothers of Chicago about an endorsement. For those of you not familiar,  Larson brothers guitars which often went by the name,  Euphonon, Prairie state, Maurer, and Stahl, where every bit the rival to the best instruments from Martin and Gibson. Some collectors think they represent the pinnacle of early 20^th century guitar making and today fetch ridiculous prices. http://www.larsonbrothersguitars.com/guitarpics.html

 So anyway, Les Paul approached the Larson brothers about an endorsement and they turned him down saying that they would not consider anyone unless they were as popular as Rhubarb Red !!!!!! , having no clue that Les and Rhubarb where the same guy. As you all know Les ended up going to Gibson and the rest as they say is history.

 Les Paul was an innovator in so many ways, perhaps the first person to use tape loops ( triggered from a device on his guitar) in a live performance and one of the true pioneers of multi track recording, a genius inventor and musician, who’s influence on music, technology,  and popular culture is enormous.

 Thanks for everything you gave us Les, yours was a life well lived.

Bill