Description
Les Paul in his own Words
By Les Paul and Michael Cochran
Forward by Paul McCartney
“The Man Who Changed The Music. At Thirteen, he took the tone arm from his fathers phonograph, jammed the heavy needle into the top of his five-dollar guitar and filled it with Plaster of Paris to quell feedback. The guitar didn’t survive, but his idea worked, essentially creating the first solid body electric guitar. Les Paul went on to alter countless guitars in his quest to create the perfect sound, making one breakthrough after another along the way. Nonstop experiments in his homemade recording studio led to the invention of sound-on-sound, multitrack recording, echo and a host of other discoveries that revolutionized the recording industry, while he and wife Mary Ford dominated early 1950s pop charts with a continual string of hits. Taken together, the enduring influence of his unique contributions to recording technology, instrumental design and American popular music are unsurpassed. He truly is the man who changed the music, and now, Les Paul tells the whole story as only he could, in his own words.”
The charm of this book is “listening” to Les Paul tell his story. Michael Cochran captures Les’ way of telling stories and Les had plenty to tell. This large, beautiful book encompasses the fascinating life of the musician and inventor who seemed to live forever. Les takes the reader from his childhood in Waukesha, Wisconsin through his adventures in St. Louis, Chicago, LA, New Jersey and New York. Les explains how he developed the solid-body guitar and endless recording techniques that changed the world of music.
The high quality color prints and photos include many of Les Paul, his extensive guitar collection, musician friends, his inventions and his home recording studios in LA and New Jersey.
Les’ passion for sound and life, his humor and determination permeate his story. The 368 pages exemplify Les Paul’s positive outlook as he faced multiple setbacks and disappointments. Les’ story in all its delightfulness is the essence of reminding each of us to push aside self-pity and apathy and strive for what is important to us. Les, the perfectionist, enjoyed this book.
$35.00 plus tax, shipping and handling.
Hard cover 368 pages, 9 1/2” x 12” x 1 1/2”
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