This is the story of how Les Paul created the world's first solid- body electric guitar, countless other inventions that changed modern music, and one truly epic career in rock and roll. How to make a microphone? A broomstick, a cinderblock, a telephone, a radio. How to make an electric guitar? A record player's arm, a speaker, some tape. How to make a legendary inventor? A few tools, a lot of curiosity, and an endless faith in what is possible. Featuring richly detailed, dynamic illustrations by Brett Helquist, this unforgettable biography will resonate with inventive readers young and old.

Introduce your readers to one of the most prolific musicians of all time. Les Paul was an American jazz, country and blues guitarist, songwriter and inventor. He was the inventor of the electric guitar which made the sound of rock and roll possible. He is also credited with many recording innovations. Although he was not the first to use the technique, his early experiments with recording sound on sound, and changing speeds were among the first to attract widespread attention.

An intimate portrait of the brilliant jazz guitarist responsible for bringing jazz guitar playing to a new level but whose extraordinary talent was eclipsed by such greats as George Benson details his battle with racial and religious barriers, drug addiction, and fame. IP.

Julia Crowe interviews the world's leading guitarists, from Les Paul, Carlos Santana, Peter Frampton and Jimmie Vaughan, Joe Satriani, Melissa Etheridge, to Lee Ranaldo, George Benson and Jimmy Page. In interviews that offer an intimate insights into their beginnings as they recall their first instrument and share their memories of the inspiration, challenges, and successes of their early days. "Collecting these tales has been admittedly addictive because each story is as unique, compelling and illuminating as the performer... My intent was simple - to ask the artists to speak for themselves." - Julia Crowe Crossing a vast array of genres, showing the common experience of all guitarists, Julia Crowe offers intimate and deeply human insights into a musician's beginnings as her interviewees recall their first instrument and share their memories of the inspiration, challenges, and successes of those early days.

"Breau's astonishing virtuosity influenced countless performers, but unfortunately it came at the expense of his personal relationships and happiness. When he was found dead in his apartment building's pool in 1984, police suspected his wife, but no one has ever been charged. Despite Breau's fascinating life story and his musical importance, however, no full-length biography has yet been published - until now. Forbes-Roberts has interviewed more than 200 people, including family members, fellow musicians, and the luthiers who created his instruments, and closely analyzed his recordings. The result is a detailed biography that sheds light on all areas of Breau's fascinating life with a particular emphasis on his evolution as a musician."--Jacket.

The picture book biography of ingenious American inventor Leo Fender, creator of the world’s most iconic Fender electric guitars. For readers who love Iggy Peck, Architect. Leo Fender loved to thinker and tinker and take things apart and put them back together again. When he lost an eye in a childhood accident, he refused to think of himself as broken. With a new pair of magnifying glasses, Leo got back to doing what he loved, fixing machines big and small—even broken instruments. His inventions—which included the Telecaster and the Stratocaster—would inspire the rock ’n’ roll generation and go on to amplify the talents of legendary guitarists Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Bonnie Raitt, among others. Fender’s brilliant engineering vision connected science and art forever. Christy Ottaviano Books

Jimi Hendrix's talent was epic, and so is this lyrical account of his life, with spectacular artwork by Edel Rodriguez-- including a poster underneath the jacket! From his turbulent childhood through his epical appearance at the Monterey and Woodstock festivals, Charles R. Smith Jr. covers it all in this rich and rhythmic account of a singular life, accompanied by the psychedelic splendor of Edel Rodriguez's acid-tinged artwork. Let me tell you a story, a story 'bout a boy, who became a man, a git-tar man, named Jimi. Written as a series of verses beginning with intro and ending with outro, this unique mix of rhythm and rhyme captures the essence of rock icon Jimi Hendrix and his struggle to live life on his own terms. Backmatter, including a select discography, timeline of Hendrix's life, and a personal essay from the author, is included. A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Year A CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book A CSMCL Best Multicultural Children's Book of the Year An Evanston Public Library Great Books for Kids pick!