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A LEGENDARY MUSIC INNOVATOR "Les Paul: Guitar Wizard," the 20th book in the Badger Biographies series for young readers, tells the story of the man who pioneered the solid body electric guitar, multi-track recording, and many other musical inventions. Fascinated since boyhood with musical technology, the young Les moved from experimenting with his mother's player piano and phonograph to developing his own amplifier and tinkering with crystal radios. After leaving his hometown of Waukesha, Wis. at age 17 to pursue a musical career - a decision his mother supported - the budding jazz guitarist lived in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, in each city finding a new audience and new musical partnerships. A regular on the radio, Les became a fixture in early television, appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show, and later, a show of his own with his wife and partner Mary Ford. Along the way, he overcame numerous physical challenges, including recovery from electric shock and rehabilitation after a horrific car accident - both of which threatened his musical career. And yet, Les Paul pushed musical technology forward more than any other musician of the 20th century. This Grammy Hall of Fame inductee died in 2009, making "Les Paul: Guitar Wizard" a timely addition to the series. This lively story is rounded out with sidebars on radio call letters and how an electric guitar works, a full discography, and more than 60 historic photographs. The popular Badger Biographies series for young readers explores the lives of famous and not-so-famous figures in Wisconsin history. The Wisconsin Historical Society Press is proud to celebrate the release of this, the 20th book in the series! For more information on the series, visit: www.wisconsinhistory.org/whspress/series-young.asp Media: For review copies of the book, author or book photos, or book event information, please contact Melanie Roth, Wisconsin Historical Society Press, 816 State St., Madison, Wis. 53706; (608) 264-6465; email: melanie.roth@wisconsinhistory.org. The Wisconsin Historical Society Press, publishing the best of Wisconsin history and culture, since 1855
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