Les Paul died last night, Aug. 12, of respiratory failure. He was 94 years old.
We were all very proud to have met this incredible man - inventor of the electric guitar, multi-track recording, and up until this year, a live performer for more than 70 years.
Our film crew met Les at Iridium Cafe in NYC last winter (2008) to interview him for "On Joy & Sorrow." Les was willing to speak with us before taking the stage for his weekly jazz performance. He discussed The Glass Prism, recording in the 1960s, musicians changing taste in an attempt to please the public and his mission to preserve the enormous catalog of famous musicians that he recorded at his home studio in Mahwah, N.J. He was a kind old man and offered us popcorn, one of his favorite treats.
Les leaves an incredible legacy, from the engineering feats he completed, ideas he invented and mastered and the hundreds of talented musicians he recorded. May he rest in peace.
