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Topic: Les Paul, R.I.P. (Read 139 times)

RavingArmy
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Les Paul, R.I.P.
« Thread Started on Aug 13, 2009, 3:17pm »

Famed musician and guitarmaker Les Paul died today from complications of pneumonia in White Plains, NY. He was 94.

Ordinarily, such an event like this might go into the Off-Topic section of our forums, but I firmly believe that it goes here for a couple of very good reasons.

First, Les invented multi-track recording, a process that provided not only a unique sound, but also radically redefined the recording industry, and music across the board. Without multi-track recording, no music, not even your favorite game themes, would sound nearly as good as they do today.

Secondly, his constant experimentation with electric guitars, as well as his devotion to producing quality musical instruments, gave him a level of name recognition far beyond his chosen field. The man on the street might not necessarily know the minutae of brands like Ibanez, Peavey, or Fender, but they will automatically recognize "Les Paul." From classic masters like Eric Clapton to modern six string gunslingers like Slash, the name and shape of a Les Paul guitar is practically iconic.

This leads me to my third point. It's entirely possible that you would not have games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band without the contributions Les made to music. Rock Band, in particular, derives no small amount of its very nature from the concept of multi-track recording. Guitar Hero: World Tour even came with a Les Paul guitar controller. That, friends and neighbors, is the sort of crossover you just don't get without being what he was: a legend.

For myself, I do own a Les Paul guitar, one of the more entry level models (I don't make near enough money to buy a coveted Goldtop), and it's one of the finest instruments I've ever played. As gamers, I think we need to bow our heads for a moment in respect and remembrance. I doubt you will find a more influential non-game related personality making their mark on the games industry like Les Paul did ever again.

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phillyphan
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Re: Les Paul, R.I.P.
« Reply #1 on Aug 17, 2009, 11:08pm »

Sadly, there was more than a handful of people at my job that literally had no idea who Les Paul was...youngsters and older folks alike...

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