Les Paul passed away at 94. Influence on U2? Certainly.

Edge_Orchestra · 08-13-2009, 12:15 PM

Mildly off but on topic.

Les Paul - as in the man that designed the world famous Les Paul guitar, that The Edge uses in various forms, has passed away at the age of 94.

The Edge got his 1975 Les Paul Custom in 1982 - wanting one that looked and sounded like that of Steve Jones of The Sex Pistols.

No Les Paul? No Les Paul guitars. No Les Paul? No multi-track recording - which he pioneered. No Les Paul? No overdubbed recordings - which he pioneered.

And it was those recording techniques that were created by Les Paul that were experimented with and taken to the next level by U2 and their producers over the years (Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois, Flood, Steve Lillywhite...) that allowed for the advances in their sound on record.

That alone shows the breadth of influence of Les Paul. Not just the pop music that he and Mary Ford made together but all forms of popular music from The Beatles to Led Zeppelin to The Clash to The Sex Pisols to yes... U2 have used Les Paul model guitars of some form.

Les Paul Custom (1975 model)

30th Anniversary Les Paul (1982 model)

When it came time to develope a guitar to earn money for musicians that lost their instruments in Hurricane Katrina, it was to the Les Paul model that Gibson, Bob Ezrin and The Edge looked to; developing the mardi gras finish Les Paul Standard Music Rising and the Epiphone Les Paul Standard Music Rising in black (w/Music Rising logo).

In fact, even U2 bassist Adam Clayton is using TWO bass guitars that are of Les Paul design!

The gold Les Paul signature (used for Mysterious Way during U2:360 shows)

...and the Gibson Triumph (Les Paul Recording Bass) that was used on many thing in the studio in the past ("One" and "A Man And A Woman" quickly come to mind) as will as U2:360 tour performances of "One".

Les Paul, his music, his wit, his vision of music will be sadly missed.

Chill Mike D · 08-13-2009, 02:25 PM

I shot an interview with him last year and he was a very nice guy.

Galeongirl · 08-13-2009, 02:49 PM

R.I.P. To the guy who gave name to one of the two most famous guitars in the world!

Edge_Orchestra · 08-13-2009, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chill Mike D

I shot an interview with him last year and he was a very nice guy.

That is very cool. Is the video on youtube or anywhere else online? If so, post a link?

Chill Mike D · 08-13-2009, 03:11 PM

Here you go. The interview is the only part of this piece I shot. We did it at the Iridium, but we couldn't shoot it in the main lounge because they were setting it up for the night, so we had to make do in this tiny closet area with a the couch and mirrors, which is a visual nightmare. It is what it is. He was a very nice guy though.

NY1 | 24 Hour Local News | Top Stories | One On 1: Guitarist Les Paul On 80 Years Of Making Music

The_Pac_Mule · 08-13-2009, 03:25 PM

I was really saddened to read this today

But, as was 94, life well spent!

Hasn't he still been playing guitar in clubs and such up until now?

Edge_Orchestra · 08-13-2009, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chill Mike D

Here you go. The interview is the only part of this piece I shot. We did it at the Iridium, but we couldn't shoot it in the main lounge because they were setting it up for the night, so we had to make do in this tiny closet area with a the couch and mirrors, which is a visual nightmare. It is what it is. He was a very nice guy though.

NY1 | 24 Hour Local News | Top Stories | One On 1: Guitarist Les Paul On 80 Years Of Making Music

Thanks for posting the link. Very much appreciated. A great story on a legendary man.

branwalls · 08-13-2009, 04:07 PM

R.I.P. May we all live to 94, playing until the day we die.

Edge_Orchestra · 08-13-2009, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by branwalls

R.I.P. May we all live to 94, playing until the day we die.

Amen brother. Amen.

Chill Mike D · 08-13-2009, 04:11 PM

I remember him saying that guitar players "should play everything as fast and as loud as they are able to", which I thought was hilarious coming from such an old guy. But even with his arthritic hands which forced him to only use 2 fretting fingers he could zip around the fretboard.

Bonoa · 08-13-2009, 08:00 PM

RIP for the man who started a revolution in rock 'n' roll!

theedgeu2 · 08-13-2009, 08:49 PM

RIP Les. A true legend. He made so many things possible and created one of the best guitars ever! He really seemed like a nice guy. It's a saddening day.

U2girl · 08-15-2009, 04:29 PM

Was he actively involved in the development of the Gibson Les Paul or was that guitar just named after him ?

The_Pac_Mule · 08-15-2009, 08:10 PM

He was actively involved in the design of the Les Paul, yes.

Also something I read:

Quote:

And U2's axeman the Edge said: "Les Paul disproves the cliché that you can only be famous for one thing. His legacy as a musician and inventor will live on and his influence on rock 'n' roll will never be forgotten."

08-13-2009, 12:15 PM	#1
Edge_Orchestra New Yorker Join Date: May 2007 Location: USA Posts: 3,143 Local Time: 05:34 PM	Les Paul passed away at 94. Influence on U2? Certainly. Mildly off but on topic. Les Paul - as in the man that designed the world famous Les Paul guitar, that The Edge uses in various forms, has passed away at the age of 94. The Edge got his 1975 Les Paul Custom in 1982 - wanting one that looked and sounded like that of Steve Jones of The Sex Pistols. No Les Paul? No Les Paul guitars. No Les Paul? No multi-track recording - which he pioneered. No Les Paul? No overdubbed recordings - which he pioneered. And it was those recording techniques that were created by Les Paul that were experimented with and taken to the next level by U2 and their producers over the years (Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois, Flood, Steve Lillywhite...) that allowed for the advances in their sound on record. That alone shows the breadth of influence of Les Paul. Not just the pop music that he and Mary Ford made together but all forms of popular music from The Beatles to Led Zeppelin to The Clash to The Sex Pisols to yes... U2 have used Les Paul model guitars of some form. Les Paul Custom (1975 model) 30th Anniversary Les Paul (1982 model) When it came time to develope a guitar to earn money for musicians that lost their instruments in Hurricane Katrina, it was to the Les Paul model that Gibson, Bob Ezrin and The Edge looked to; developing the mardi gras finish Les Paul Standard Music Rising and the Epiphone Les Paul Standard Music Rising in black (w/Music Rising logo). In fact, even U2 bassist Adam Clayton is using TWO bass guitars that are of Les Paul design! The gold Les Paul signature (used for Mysterious Way during U2:360 shows) ...and the Gibson Triumph (Les Paul Recording Bass) that was used on many thing in the studio in the past ("One" and "A Man And A Woman" quickly come to mind) as will as U2:360 tour performances of "One". Les Paul, his music, his wit, his vision of music will be sadly missed.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Dissect a teenager's music collection!	nminor	Just the Bang and the Clatter	90	07-28-2009 10:48 AM
Edge's Guitars	mkdominatr	Even Better Than The Real Thing ??	62	08-20-2007 10:13 AM
MERGED--> itunes box set is listed.... + Itunes Complete U2 tracklisting here	frenchie1970	Everything You Know Is Wrong Archive	93	11-23-2004 01:37 PM
Local radio station U2 picks	wannabe	Everything You Know Is Wrong Archive	8	12-20-2001 10:31 AM

08-13-2009, 02:25 PM	#2
Chill Mike D War Child Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 525 Local Time: 01:34 PM	I shot an interview with him last year and he was a very nice guy.

08-13-2009, 03:11 PM	#5
Chill Mike D War Child Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 525 Local Time: 01:34 PM	Here you go. The interview is the only part of this piece I shot. We did it at the Iridium, but we couldn't shoot it in the main lounge because they were setting it up for the night, so we had to make do in this tiny closet area with a the couch and mirrors, which is a visual nightmare. It is what it is. He was a very nice guy though. NY1 \| 24 Hour Local News \| Top Stories \| One On 1: Guitarist Les Paul On 80 Years Of Making Music

08-13-2009, 03:25 PM	#6
The_Pac_Mule War Child Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Vermont Posts: 845 Local Time: 12:34 PM	I was really saddened to read this today But, as was 94, life well spent! Hasn't he still been playing guitar in clubs and such up until now?

08-13-2009, 04:07 PM	#8
branwalls The Fly Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 178 Local Time: 10:34 AM	R.I.P. May we all live to 94, playing until the day we die.

08-13-2009, 04:11 PM	#10
Chill Mike D War Child Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 525 Local Time: 01:34 PM	I remember him saying that guitar players "should play everything as fast and as loud as they are able to", which I thought was hilarious coming from such an old guy. But even with his arthritic hands which forced him to only use 2 fretting fingers he could zip around the fretboard.

08-13-2009, 08:00 PM	#11
Bonoa War Child Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: off to Nether Nether land Posts: 789 Local Time: 06:34 PM	RIP for the man who started a revolution in rock 'n' roll!

08-13-2009, 08:49 PM	#12
theedgeu2 Refugee Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Under a bridge. Posts: 1,203 Local Time: 01:34 PM	RIP Les. A true legend. He made so many things possible and created one of the best guitars ever! He really seemed like a nice guy. It's a saddening day.

08-15-2009, 04:29 PM	#13
U2girl Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: slovenija Posts: 17,458 Local Time: 06:34 PM	Was he actively involved in the development of the Gibson Les Paul or was that guitar just named after him ?