The Innovations of Les Paul
Chet will always hold his place in musical history as one of the top 10 guitar virtuosos. He inspired many and his legacy will not be forgotten. However, where did Chet find the inspiration that led him to earn the long-standing title of “Mr. Guitar”? Chet’s half-brother, Jim was his first local idol. James was 12 years older and as a child, Chet listened to Jim play on Chicago’s WLS radio broadcasting system program, The National Barn Dance. From 1935 to 1939, Jim was actively making music with some of the upcoming greats in the industry. This time acted as a paving service, putting down a musical foundation for Chet to come into his own musically. Through the years, Jim played with several gifted artists, but one of the most influential musicians in Chet’s early life was, Les Paul.
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He was the first to design a solid body electric guitar in 1941, but it wasn’t manufactured for retail sale until 1952. Gibson Guitar Corp. introduced the Les Paul guitar 4 years after Leo Fender offered the public his Fender Broadcaster. Although Fender guitars were first to be mass-produced the inside story gives credit to Paul as the electric guitar’s original inventor.
To support the credit, even more, the Les Paul guitar became the number one choice for popular musicians. Contemporary musicians, Eric Clapton, Sting, Paul McCartney, Pete Townshend, Bob Marley, Billie Joe Armstrong, Keith Richards are just a few of the greats who won’t leave home without their Les Paul. The prestige and value of owning a Les Paul guitar still holds true through to present day. As a kid, it’s been reported that Lester William Polsfuss didn’t show much musical talent. That apparently didn’t dissuade him, since he enjoyed playing music and harmonica so much that the sheer pleasure of it seemingly overcame any otherwise imposed