Les Paul Dead At 94

Ugh. The hits just keep on coming, huh?

Guitar legend Les Paul died today at the age of 94. From KMBC 9’s story:

According to Gibson Guitar, Paul died of complications from pneumonia at White Plains Hospital. His family and friends were by his side.

He had been hospitalized in February 2006 when he learned he won two Grammys for an album he released after his 90th birthday, “Les Paul & Friends: American Made, World Played.”

“I feel like a condemned building with a new flagpole on it,” he joked.

As important as his technical contributions to rock ‘n’ roll were, his musical abilities usually get pushed to the side in favor of focusing on the guitarists who played the instrument he developed. It’s worth remembering and noting that the man had a slew of hit singles before getting an instrument named after him.

Somewhere right now, Pete Townsend is letting a guitar stay in one piece in tribute.