Les Paul died August 13th 2009 and musicians all over the world will be asking can the Rock 'n' Roll business ever feel the same again; for where would we have been without his pioneering guitars. Lester William Polsfuss, known as Les Paul (June 9, 1915 - August 13, 2009) was a musician and inventor. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar which "made the sound of rock and roll possible." He is credited with inventing or discovering many recording innovations including overdubbing   (also known as sound    on sound),  delay effects such as tape delay,  phasing effects, and multitrack recording.

His innovative talents extended into his playing style, including licks, trills, chording sequences, fretting techniques and timing, which set him apart from his contemporaries and inspired many of the guitarists of the present day. He recorded with his wife Mary Ford in the 1950s and they sold millions of hit records.

Read his Obituary in the Independent