Historic Guitar Inventor Les Paul Dies at 94

Les Paul, a mythic name in music and a gifted guitarist, died Thursday in White Plains, N.Y., of pneumonia, TheBoot.com reported. He was 94.

Legend isn't a large enough word to describe Les Paul, who was not only a successful recording artist, but the inventor of the electric guitar.

Paul began his career in the late fourties and achieved several big hits with his wife, Mary Ford. In 1952, Gibson released its first Les Paul model guitar, and it became an instant rival of the Leo Fender models.

After his divorce in 1963, Paul became less of a public persona, appearing on a few albums as a guest performer. His influence, however, has spanned decades and across all genres of music. Paul was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.

A private family funeral is said to take place and information about a public memorial will soon be announced.