Goodbye, Sir; and Thank You!

Inventor and musician Les Paul passed today. Les invented the electric guitar, plus recording methods that revolutionized an industry. It's impossible to overestimate his importance to rock-and-roll, jazz, and guitar music.

I was lucky enough to see Les play his weekly gig at the Iridium in New York City, 10 years ago, and he kicked ass. He also stayed late, signing everything from photos and t-shirts to guitars. Gibson's Les Paul series sustained that manufacturer for years, and will for years to come.

Thank you Les, and we'll miss your Monday night gigs. Here's Les and his wife Mary Ford:

Guitarists of Whidbey Island.