House Questions
What should I know about Les Paul?
Les Paul is listed in New Lore artist data as Jazz, Country, R&B, Rock, from Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA. This House Questions page organizes the profile into facts, official links, music, merch, and event information.
Last refreshed June 25, 2026 04:54 UTC
Short answer
Les Paul is listed in New Lore artist data as Jazz, Country, R&B, Rock, from Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA. This House Questions page organizes the profile into facts, official links, music, merch, and event information.
Les Paul is listed in New Lore artist data as Jazz, Country, R&B, Rock, from Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA. This House Questions page organizes the profile into facts, official links, music, merch, and event information.
Artist snapshot
Key facts pulled out of the legacy artist profile.
GenreJazz, Country, R&B, Rockverified
OriginWaukesha, Wisconsin, USAverified
Active Since1920s (professional recordings from 1936)verified
LabelCapitol Records (1947–1957), Columbia Records (1957+), Montgomery Ward (early), Decca (early)verified
Notable AchievementsCreator of the solid-body electric guitar ("The Log"); inventor of multi-track recording (beginning 1945, 8-track delivered 1957); inventor of sound-on-sound, digital delay, reverb, echo, overdubbing, phase shifting; known as "Father of Modern Music" and "Wizard of Waukesha"; "Godfather of the Modern Recording Studio"; sold over 10 million records with Capitol Records (1947–1957); seven hits in 1951 including "How High the Moon" (six million records sold); eight hits in 1952; biggest hit "Vaya Con Dios" (1953); Hollywood Walk of Fame star (1960, with Mary Ford); 1954 Academy of Musical Arts and Science award; Inducted as honorary member of Audio Engineering Society (1958); Inventors Hall of Fame inductee; Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (25th Grammys); Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee; Performed at White House for President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1939) and President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1956); First Jazz at the Philharmonic concert performer (1944); Voted #1 guitarist in country by Down Beat magazine (1951); Designed Capitol Records' echo chambers and recording studios; Created the Les Paul Foundation (1995); Patent: Combined Bridge and Tail Piece for Stringed Instruments (1956); Patent: Electrical Musical Instrument (1960s); Patent: Method for Electronically Reproducing Music and Improved Electrical Pickup (1970s)verified
Official websitehttps://www.les-paul.comofficial
Tour status
Legacy source did not include a current full date table.
Legacy source did not include a current full date table.
Music and releases
Representative releases and listen links from the legacy profile.
Recordings as Rhubarb RedSingles · Montgomery Ward · First professional recordings1936
Recordings with Georgia WhiteSingles · Decca · 20 sides recorded with blues singer Georgia White1936
First commercial records (4 sides)Singles · Columbia · With trio1939
"Lover" / "Brazil"Singles · Capitol · First "New Sound" recordings with overdubbed guitars1948
"How High the Moon"Single · Capitol · Part of 7-hit year; contributed to 6 million records sold1951
"Vaya Con Dios"Single · Capitol · Biggest hit with Mary Ford1953
(Catalog)Albums/Singles · Capitol · Over 10 million records sold 1947–19571957
RecordingsAlbums/Singles · Columbia · Signed with Mitch Miller at Columbia1957+
Chester & Lester (referenced)Album · Capitol · Referenced in timeline (text truncated)1970s
"Lover"Single · Capitol1948
"Brazil"Single · Capitol1948
Instrumental hits (3 total, titles not specified)Singles · Capitol1950
"How High the Moon"Single · Capitol1951
Six additional hits (titles not specified)Singles · Capitol1951
Eight hits (titles not specified)Singles · Capitol1952
"Vaya Con Dios"Single · Capitol1953
Mary Ford solo singleSingle1963
"It's Been a Long, Long Time"Single · Played guitar on Bing Crosby's post-war hit1945
Merch and store items
Featured merch rows from the legacy artist profile.
Current inventory
Official links
Links preserved from the legacy profile.
Additional notes
Other usable notes from the legacy profile.
- Faq — Who was Les Paul and why is he important? Les Paul (born Lester William Polsfuss, June 9, 1915, in Waukesha, Wisconsin) was an inventor, musician, and innovator known as the "Father of Modern Music" and "Godfather of the Modern Recording Studio." He created the solid-body electric guitar, invented multi-track recording starting in 1945, and pioneered sound-on-sound, digital delay, reverb, echo, and phase shifting. His innovations are the foundation of modern music recording and electric guita...
- Latest Updates — Celebrating Les Paul’s 111th Birthday: The Guitar Innovator Who Changed Music Forever (Merch) — June 18, 2026 Last updated: June 18, 2026
Related questions
What should I know about Les Paul?
Les Paul is listed in New Lore artist data as Jazz, Country, R&B, Rock, from Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA. This House Questions page organizes the profile into facts, official links, music, merch, and event information.