Friday Rockcast081409a; John Mabe, Muse, Bay City Rollers, Rick Springfield, Serge Gainsbourg, Robert Cray, Rubinoos, Cavo, Alice Cooper
Two points today. One the passing of the
legendary inventor guitar virtuoso Les Paul at
the age of 94 years young. Lester William Poltus
was born june 9, 1915. Un happy with the volume
of his acoustic guitar young Lester first used a
telephone receiver as an amplifier. This ended up
only amplifying 2 strings so he switched it for a
needle from a record player pushed through the
bridge of his guitar. This was in 1929 and although
historians credit Leo Fenders Broadcaster as the
first electric guitar, Lester was right there with them.
My favorite invention by Lester is the harmonica
stand that you wear around your neck. Lester perfected
it so he could be a double threat on guitar & harp. You
see folks like Pete Seeger to Bob Dylan & Neil Young
use this invention even today. Innovations in recording
especially in stereo was one of Lester's passions. He was
the first to do multi track recordings using 8 different
machines and simultaneously playing them all and
recording the results. Colleen Summers who would
later become Mary Ford was Lester's wife and recording
partner as they ruled the charts in the late 40's & 50's.
Lester had microphones all over there house and if he
needed Mary to sing a part she could do it while she
even did the dishes as there was a mic over the sink.
I really was fascinated by the man and his accomplishments.
My all time favorite Lp's by the man are the 2 Chester & Lester
albums he did with Chet Atkins and the World Is Waiting
for the Sunrise with Mary Ford. Thank You Les Paul.
Second point, Happy Birthday to Mickey Lark! You know
Mickey, she the voice that says "Your Listening to Big AL's
Rockcast" as well as playing the parts of Miss Nasal, Sister
April May June, Miss New York Saki, and many others. A
very talented voice and great friend. Happy Birthday Mick!
rockcast
1. John Mabe - Illegal Aliens [Rockcast Mix]
2. Muse - Uprising
3. Bay City Rollers - Shang A Lang
4. Rick Springfield - One Passenger
5. Serge Gainsbourg - Cannabis
6. Robert Cray Band - Chicken In The Kitchen
7. The Rubinoos - Pushing Too Hard
8. Cavo - Let It Go
9. Alice Cooper - Slick Black Limo
posted by Big AL @ 8/14/2009
2 Comments
2 Comments:
Ahh yes, the disputed "first solid body electric guitar".
Another man involved, Paul Bigsby; a machinist, inventor, motorcycle racer and drinkin' buddy of Les Paul and Leo Fender. It is said they shared ideas over a few beers all the time. No one really knows who borrowed whom's ideas, they were all great men. To those who love guitars, heroes if you will, at least legendary.
In a recently released book, Andy Babiuk makes the case for Bigsby making the first solid body electric. Many of you may also reckognize the name from his famous vibrato unit, which Les Paul had on some of his own guitars.
Here's to Les, I own one of the instruments with his name on it, a Les Paul Supreme, goldtop, fine instrument and a fine man, a life well lived.
the man could handle serious jamming too. check
http://technorati.com/videos/youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DLrC_oqWq2pU
and so it's proven: you better die after you got old
Dino
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