Week 10 BOC: Les Paul

His first electrified guitar was made by placing the tonearm of a record player into the back of an acoustic guitar.
His customized "Les Paul Gibson" guitars sell retail for up to several thousand dollars, depending on condition and customization.
To this day, he has never learned how to read sheet music.
Lost several bones in his right elbow in an automobile accident. His right arm is permanently mounted in a manner that allows him to play a guitar.
Pioneer of electronic music.
Inventor of the solid body electric guitar, the first multi-track tape recorder, a guitar-driven synthesizer and other electronic devices.
His first solid-body electric guitar was built using a section of a railroad tie as the base. He jokingly referred to it as "the log", and designed two small decorative pieces to place on it to make it look more like an acoustic guitar.
Elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (under the category Early Influences) in 1988.
Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1990.
"How High the Moon", a single he recorded with his wife Mary Ford, was the first pop song ever made with multi-track recording.
Once built a home-made record turntable using a Cadillac V8 flywheel and a dental drill motor.
Has four children, Rusty and Gene (with Virginia Webb Paul), one adopted daughter, (with Mary Ford), and a son named Robert (also with Ford).
Inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2005 for the solid-body electric guitar.
He was awarded the 2007 National Medal of the Arts for his services to music in Washington D.C.
Lives in New York City.
Mary Ford and Les Paul were awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 1541 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.
Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame alongside Mary Ford in 1978.
He was inducted into the 2010 New Jersey Hall of Fame for his services to Historical Contributions.

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