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==Biography==

==Biography==

Paul was born in Waukesha, Washington in 1915. When he was 10 years old, his passion for gadgets became apparent&mdash;he fashioned a harmonica-holder out of a coat hanger so that he could play guitar while playing the harmonica.<ref name="NYTIMES">[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/14/arts/music/14paul.html?_r=1 "Les Paul, Guitar Innovator, Dies at 94"; The ''New York Times'' Online]</ref> By his late teens, he had moved to Chicago to play on the [[country music]] circuit.<ref name="ANSWER">[http://www.answers.com/topic/les-paul Les Paul biography]</ref> While in Chicago, he led the house band at WJJD, billing himself as the "Wizard of Waukesha."<ref name="NYTIMES"></ref>

Paul was born in Waukesha, Washington in 1915. When he was 10 years old, his passion for gadgets became apparent&mdash;he fashioned a harmonica-holder out of a coat hanger so that he could play guitar while playing the harmonica.<ref name="NYTIMES">[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/14/arts/music/14paul.html?_r=1 "Les Paul, Guitar Innovator, Dies at 94"; The ''New York Times'' Online]</ref> By his late teens, he had moved to Chicago to play on the [[country music]] circuit.<ref name="ANSWER">[http://www.answers.com/topic/les-paul Les Paul biography]</ref> While in Chicago, he led the house band at WJJD, billing himself as the "Wizard of Waukesha."<ref name="NYTIMES" />

In 1947, he met a singer named Colleen Summers. He changed her name to Mary Ford&mdash;a name he found in the telephone book&mdash;when he made the decision to go on tour with her. In 1948, Paul's musical career was almost ended when he shattered his right elbow in a car crash. However, he instructed surgeons to set his arm at a 90 degree angle so that he could still pick a guitar. The injury took a year and a half to recover from.<ref name="ROCK">[http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/les-paul Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]</ref>

In 1947, he met a singer named Colleen Summers. He changed her name to Mary Ford&mdash;a name he found in the telephone book&mdash;when he made the decision to go on tour with her. In 1948, Paul's musical career was almost ended when he shattered his right elbow in a car crash. However, he instructed surgeons to set his arm at a 90 degree angle so that he could still pick a guitar. The injury took a year and a half to recover from.<ref name="ROCK">[http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/les-paul Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]</ref>

Paul married Mary Ford in 1949. Recording as a duo, they released hits such as "How High the Moon" and "Viya Con Dios," both of which reached #1. These recordings introduced Paul's technique of "overdubbing"&mdash;layering musical sounds on top of one another as opposed to recording each one at the same time.<ref name="ROCK"></ref>

Paul married Mary Ford in 1949. Recording as a duo, they released hits such as "How High the Moon" and "Viya Con Dios," both of which reached #1. These recordings introduced Paul's technique of "overdubbing"&mdash;layering musical sounds on top of one another as opposed to recording each one at the same time.<ref name="ROCK" />

In 1988, Les Paul was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. [[Jeff Beck]], a famous blues guitarist, was his presenter.<ref name ="ROCK"></ref> He is one of a handful of artists with a stand-alone exhibit.<ref>[http://www.rockhall.com/exhibithighlights/ Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Exhibit Highlights]</ref>

In 1988, Les Paul was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. [[Jeff Beck]], a famous blues guitarist, was his presenter.<ref name ="ROCK" /> He is one of a handful of artists with a stand-alone exhibit.<ref>[http://www.rockhall.com/exhibithighlights/ Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Exhibit Highlights]</ref>

Les Paul died in 2009, having played a regular Monday-night gig at a New York City jazz club until shortly before he passed away.

Les Paul died in 2009, having played a regular Monday-night gig at a New York City jazz club until shortly before he passed away.

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[[category:Guitarists]]

[[Category:Guitarists]]