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Musician and inventor Les Paul

Musician and Inventor Les Paul.

Musician and inventor Les Paul. Paul shaped much of the sound of rock and roll. He invented the electric pickup, the device that made the electric guitar possible, he made the first multi-track recorder, and his innovations established the recording studio itself as a legitimate musical instrument. Gibson has sold guitars designed by Les Paul since the early 50s, vintage models are now worth thousands of dollars. Paul also had many top 40 hits in the 50s and his own TV show. There's a new boxed set of his music, called "Les Paul: The Legend and the Legacy." (It's on Capitol).

21:53

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Other segments from the episode on January 17, 1992

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, January 17, 1992: Interview with Les Paul; Interview with Pico Iyer; Commentary on rock in 1972.

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