I was debating whether to post, but this is one of those semi-forgotten genius deaths that deserves a mention. Lester "Red" Poifus died today.
There's a little dispute on what "Les Paul" actually invented, but he's the one that made the electric guitar and multi-track recording the musical standards they are today, and it's hard to come up with much in today's music world more important than that.
Paul was already a nationally known jazz guitarist - dazzling audiences with his self designed electric guitars and portable amps - when he went to the studio to make pop records in the late 40s with his then wife, singer-guitarist Mary Ford. His solo and duo records - though conservative - rewrote the language of how to craft a record and feature BRILLIANT guitar work, Les usually playing most of the instruments. He had a bunch of hits, "How High the Moon" is the most famous, and then stepped out of the limelight for a long time.
He then concentrated on designing guitars for Gibson, and his Les Paul Custom became THE guitar for 60s rockers and probably still is. Getting a Les Paul Custom is considered a status symbol purchase. Just to name a few: Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Neil Young, Bob Marley, Pete Townshend. One of them sold at auction for 45 grand.
His "comeback" record in '77 with Chet Atkins, "Chester and Lester" won a Grammy and is considered one of the great guitar showcases. In '79 he started his final legend when, as a senior citizen, he returned to his first love and played New York Jazz and blues clubs, wowing the audience and other musicians every week until his death. In fact, he played through arthritis so bad that near the end he was picking with only 2 fingers and STILL wowing them. He was 94 and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:hifqxqr5ldhe~T1
