Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Late guitarist Les Paul made big mark on music industry
Listen
Late guitarist Les Paul made big mark on music industry
Pioneering guitarist, inventor, and music producer Les Paul died Thursday at age 94. The people who worked with him say it’s hard to imagine where the music industry would be without him. If you think that’s an exaggeration, keep in mind that Paul developed the solid-body electric guitar.
Gibson Guitars chief executive Henry Juszkiewicz tried to describe the breadth of Paul’s contributions.
Henry Juszkiewicz: "I think that Les' greatest gift, as great an entertainer and musician as he was, and he was brilliant, his great gift is he could see into the future. His mind sort of ran 50 years ahead. And unlike some people who have that gift, he actually could make those futuristic concepts happen today."
Juszkiewicz told KPCC’s "Patt Morrison" that Les Paul helped to make Gibson Guitars what it is today.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
