Lester William Polsfuss (June 9, 1915 - August 12, 2009) ? known as Les Paul ? was an American (United States) jazz (jazz guitarist) and country guitarist, songwriter and inventor. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body (solid body) electric guitar which "made the sound of rock and roll possible". He is credited with many recording innovations, including overdubbing (also known as sound on sound (History of sound recording#Electrical recording)), delay effects (Delay (audio effect)) such as tape delay (Delay (audio effect)), phasing effects (Phaser (effect)), and multitrack recording.

His innovative talents extended into his playing style, including lick (Lick (music))s, trill (Trill (music))s, chording sequences, fretting (Fingerboard#Frets) techniques and timing, which set him apart from his contemporaries and inspired many guitarists of the present day. He recorded with his wife Mary Ford in the 1950s and they sold millions of records.Vaguedate=October 2009

Among his many honors, Paul is one of a handful of artists with a permanent, stand-alone exhibit in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He is prominently named by the music museum on its website as an "architect" and a "key inductee" along with Sam Phillips and Alan Freed.