Rock world pays tribute to Les Paul

Stars from the world of rock and roll have paid tribute to guitar legend Les Paul who has died aged 94.

The US musician died at a New York hospital as a result of complications from pneumonia, the Gibson Guitar company said.

The pioneer of the electric guitar influenced the course of jazz and rock music with the development of the instrument.

Former Guns N’ Roses lead guitarist Slash said: “Les Paul was a shining example of how full one’s life can be.

“He was so vibrant and full of positive energy. I’m honoured and humbled to have known and played with him over the years, he was an exceptionally brilliant man.”

The Beach Boys’ chief songwriter Brian Wilson said: “Les Paul and Mary Ford were among my most favourite musicians in the 50s.

“He was the first guy to do multi guitar, multi track recording and that turned me on to guitars and stacking vocals for our records.”

ZZ Top’s front man Billy F Gibbons said Paul “brought six strings to electricity and electricity to six strings”.

“Les Paul was an innovator, a groundbreaker, a risk taker, a mentor and a friend,” he added. “Try to imagine what we’d be doing if hadn’t come along and changed the world.”

Rickey Medlocke, of Lynyrd Skynyrd, described himself as a “third generation Gibson user” and said: “I’m so thankful that this guy was such an incredible genius for developing such a great guitar.”

According to guitarist Dave Navarro, from Jane’s Addiction, modern music fans owe Paul an “enormous thank you”.

He said: “Les is single handedly responsible for the direction and evolution of the modern rock movement.”

Family and friends were at Paul’s bedside when he died at White Plains Hospital.

Born in Wisconsin in 1915, Paul’s first musical forays were with the harmonica and banjo before he turned to guitar.

Dissatisfied with the acoustic guitars of the time, he began experimenting with electric models.

In 1941 he invented “The Log” – a four-by-four solid piece of wood strung with steel strings.

In 1952, Gibson Guitars began to produce the Les Paul guitar.

The model firmly established itself in rock and jazz history, ensuring that Les Paul’s name will continue long after his death.

Household names who use a Les Paul guitar include Eric Clapton, Oasis’ Noel Gallagher, Pete Townshend of The Who and Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page.

Aside from technical inventions that also included innovations in the field of multi-track recording and overdubbing, Paul had a successful career as an instrumentalist.