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Tribute To Les Paul

Where would we be without the late, great Les Paul?   Many people have been influential in rock, but the namesake of the popular Gibson guitar model truly is a cut…

Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images

Where would we be without the late, great Les Paul?  

Many people have been influential in rock, but the namesake of the popular Gibson guitar model truly is a cut above them all.  Not only is he a pioneer in the realm of guitar manufacturing, he's also known for being one of the first to experiment with then new recording techniques, like overdubbing and multi-track recording.  The scope of his impact on music, frankly, is overwhelming.

In honor of what would have been his 103rd birthday, enjoy the photos below of Les Paul throughout his life!

Les Hear It

GettyImages-3162287.jpgPhoto by Express/Express/Getty Images

16th September 1952: Popular guitarist Les Paul serenades his wife and singing partner Mary Ford (1928 - 1977). (Photo by Express/Express/Getty Images)

16th September 1952: Popular guitarist Les Paul serenades his wife and singing partner Mary Ford (1928 - 1977). (Photo by Express/Express/Getty Images)


GettyImages-1608950-1

GettyImages-1608950-1.jpgPhoto by George De Sota/Getty Images

Grammy Phonograph Party

GettyImages-2294930-1.jpgPhoto by Scott Gries/Getty Images

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 19: Reverend Run (L), of hip hop group Run DMC, and guitar designer Les Paul attend a celebration of the 125th Anniversary Thomas Edison's patent on the phonograph at the French Institute Alliance Francaise on February 19, 2003 in New York City. The event was presented by the Grammy Foundation's Music on Film Preservation Project in partnership with the Edison Preservation Foundation, and sponsored by Con Edison. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 19: Reverend Run (L), of hip hop group Run DMC, and guitar designer Les Paul attend a celebration of the 125th Anniversary Thomas Edison's patent on the phonograph at the French Institute Alliance Francaise on February 19, 2003 in New York City. The event was presented by the Grammy Foundation's Music on Film Preservation Project in partnership with the Edison Preservation Foundation, and sponsored by Con Edison. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)


Les Hear It

GettyImages-3162287.jpgPhoto by Express/Express/Getty Images

16th September 1952: Popular guitarist Les Paul serenades his wife and singing partner Mary Ford (1928 - 1977). (Photo by Express/Express/Getty Images)

16th September 1952: Popular guitarist Les Paul serenades his wife and singing partner Mary Ford (1928 - 1977). (Photo by Express/Express/Getty Images)


2003 MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute to Bono- Arrivals

GettyImages-2337891-1.jpgPhoto by Evan Agostini/Getty Images

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 21: Singer/actor Isaac Hayes (R) and musician Les Paul arrive to the 13th Annual MusiCares Person Of The Year tribute at the Marriott Marquis February 21, 2003 in New York City. Grammy winning artist Bono will be honored for his mu

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 21: Singer/actor Isaac Hayes (R) and musician Les Paul arrive to the 13th Annual MusiCares Person Of The Year tribute at the Marriott Marquis February 21, 2003 in New York City. Grammy winning artist Bono will be honored for his mu


GettyImages-1608950-1

GettyImages-1608950-1.jpgPhoto by George De Sota/Getty Images

Les Paul

GettyImages-3285816.jpgPhoto by Ron Burton/Keystone/Getty Images

9th September 1952: American entertainers guitarist Les Paul and his wife, singer Mary Ford, arrive at Waterloo, London, on the Queen Elizaeth boat train. The musical stars are due to appear at the London Palladium. (Photo by Ron Burton/Keystone/Getty Images)

9th September 1952: American entertainers guitarist Les Paul and his wife, singer Mary Ford, arrive at Waterloo, London, on the Queen Elizaeth boat train. The musical stars are due to appear at the London Palladium. (Photo by Ron Burton/Keystone/Getty Images)


Grammy Phonograph Party

GettyImages-2294930-1.jpgPhoto by Scott Gries/Getty Images

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 19: Reverend Run (L), of hip hop group Run DMC, and guitar designer Les Paul attend a celebration of the 125th Anniversary Thomas Edison's patent on the phonograph at the French Institute Alliance Francaise on February 19, 2003 in New York City. The event was presented by the Grammy Foundation's Music on Film Preservation Project in partnership with the Edison Preservation Foundation, and sponsored by Con Edison. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 19: Reverend Run (L), of hip hop group Run DMC, and guitar designer Les Paul attend a celebration of the 125th Anniversary Thomas Edison's patent on the phonograph at the French Institute Alliance Francaise on February 19, 2003 in New York City. The event was presented by the Grammy Foundation's Music on Film Preservation Project in partnership with the Edison Preservation Foundation, and sponsored by Con Edison. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)


2005 Songwriters Hall Of Fame - Arrivals

GettyImages-53046199.jpgPhoto by Peter Kramer/Getty Images

NEW YORK - JUNE 09: Guitarist Les Paul arrives at the 2005 Songwriters Hall Of Fame induction ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel June 09, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images)

NEW YORK - JUNE 09: Guitarist Les Paul arrives at the 2005 Songwriters Hall Of Fame induction ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel June 09, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images)


2003 MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute to Bono- Arrivals

GettyImages-2337891-1.jpgPhoto by Evan Agostini/Getty Images

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 21: Singer/actor Isaac Hayes (R) and musician Les Paul arrive to the 13th Annual MusiCares Person Of The Year tribute at the Marriott Marquis February 21, 2003 in New York City. Grammy winning artist Bono will be honored for his mu

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 21: Singer/actor Isaac Hayes (R) and musician Les Paul arrive to the 13th Annual MusiCares Person Of The Year tribute at the Marriott Marquis February 21, 2003 in New York City. Grammy winning artist Bono will be honored for his mu


Icons Of Music II Auction At The Hard Rock Cafe New York

GettyImages-81319027.jpgPhoto by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images

NEW YORK - MAY 31: Musicians Joan Jett and Les Paul attend Icons of Music II Auction at The Hard Rock Cafe New York on May 31, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images)

NEW YORK - MAY 31: Musicians Joan Jett and Les Paul attend Icons of Music II Auction at The Hard Rock Cafe New York on May 31, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images)


Icons Of Music II Auction At The Hard Rock Cafe New York

GettyImages-81319060.jpgPhoto by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images

NEW YORK - MAY 31: Musicians Joan Jett and Les Paul attend Icons of Music II Auction at The Hard Rock Cafe New York on May 31, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images)

NEW YORK - MAY 31: Musicians Joan Jett and Les Paul attend Icons of Music II Auction at The Hard Rock Cafe New York on May 31, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images)


Les Paul

GettyImages-3285816.jpgPhoto by Ron Burton/Keystone/Getty Images

9th September 1952: American entertainers guitarist Les Paul and his wife, singer Mary Ford, arrive at Waterloo, London, on the Queen Elizaeth boat train. The musical stars are due to appear at the London Palladium. (Photo by Ron Burton/Keystone/Getty Images)

9th September 1952: American entertainers guitarist Les Paul and his wife, singer Mary Ford, arrive at Waterloo, London, on the Queen Elizaeth boat train. The musical stars are due to appear at the London Palladium. (Photo by Ron Burton/Keystone/Getty Images)


Les Paul And Mary Ford

GettyImages-103248172.jpgPhoto by Ron Burton/Keystone/Getty Images

American musician and inventor Les Paul (1915 - 2009) and his wife Mary Ford (1924 - 1977) demonstrate two of Paul's new electric guitars during a press reception at the Savoy Hotel in London, 9th September 1952. (Photo by Ron Burton/Keystone/Getty Images)

American musician and inventor Les Paul (1915 - 2009) and his wife Mary Ford (1924 - 1977) demonstrate two of Paul's new electric guitars during a press reception at the Savoy Hotel in London, 9th September 1952. (Photo by Ron Burton/Keystone/Getty Images)


2005 Songwriters Hall Of Fame - Arrivals

GettyImages-53046199.jpgPhoto by Peter Kramer/Getty Images

NEW YORK - JUNE 09: Guitarist Les Paul arrives at the 2005 Songwriters Hall Of Fame induction ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel June 09, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images)

NEW YORK - JUNE 09: Guitarist Les Paul arrives at the 2005 Songwriters Hall Of Fame induction ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel June 09, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images)


Icons Of Music II Auction At The Hard Rock Cafe New York

GettyImages-81319027.jpgPhoto by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images

NEW YORK - MAY 31: Musicians Joan Jett and Les Paul attend Icons of Music II Auction at The Hard Rock Cafe New York on May 31, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images)

NEW YORK - MAY 31: Musicians Joan Jett and Les Paul attend Icons of Music II Auction at The Hard Rock Cafe New York on May 31, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images)


Icons Of Music II Auction At The Hard Rock Cafe New York

GettyImages-81319060.jpgPhoto by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images

NEW YORK - MAY 31: Musicians Joan Jett and Les Paul attend Icons of Music II Auction at The Hard Rock Cafe New York on May 31, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images)

NEW YORK - MAY 31: Musicians Joan Jett and Les Paul attend Icons of Music II Auction at The Hard Rock Cafe New York on May 31, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images)


Les Paul And Mary Ford

GettyImages-103248172.jpgPhoto by Ron Burton/Keystone/Getty Images

American musician and inventor Les Paul (1915 - 2009) and his wife Mary Ford (1924 - 1977) demonstrate two of Paul's new electric guitars during a press reception at the Savoy Hotel in London, 9th September 1952. (Photo by Ron Burton/Keystone/Getty Images)

American musician and inventor Les Paul (1915 - 2009) and his wife Mary Ford (1924 - 1977) demonstrate two of Paul's new electric guitars during a press reception at the Savoy Hotel in London, 9th September 1952. (Photo by Ron Burton/Keystone/Getty Images)

Erica Banas is a news blogger who's been covering the rock/classic rock world since 2014. The coolest event she's ever covered in person was the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. (Sir Paul McCartney inducting Foo Fighters? C'mon now!) She's also well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights