Les Paul

The Search for the New Sound

1915–2009

How do you make history?

He heard the sound in his mind—a unique sound that no one had ever heard before—and he wanted to share it with the world. Les Paul’s natural curiosity and relentless enthusiasm for music, guitar, and electronics propelled this “Wizard of Waukesha” into music history. His groundbreaking music techniques are still used in the music recording industry today.

Meet Les Paul

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Questions to Consider

Illustration of the geographical shape of the State of Wisconsin with the number 1 superimposed above it

Les showed a curiosity about sound, and an interest in music from an early age, which his mother recognized and supported. How did that impact what he did growing up and as an adult? How have the people around you encouraged you to follow your interests?

Illustration of the geographical shape of the State of Wisconsin with the number 2 superimposed above it

Throughout his life, Les invented new musical tools. What kinds of problems did his inventions help solve? Can you think of other ways he could have solved some of those problems?

Illustration of the geographical shape of the State of Wisconsin with the number 3 superimposed above it

During his musical career, Les formed groups and played music with others. Have you been part of a group before (could be at school or for another activity)? What do you think makes a good group member?

Read On

Illustrated portrait of Les Paul

Les Paul: The Search for the New Sound

Get the full story with this biography book. Audio files are available on each page if you’d like to listen along!

 

Project Credits

Producer
Dan Kaplan
Becky Marburger

Associate Producer
Joe Young

Animation & Illustration
The Brave Union

Animation Voice Over
Audio excerpts of Les Paul courtesy of Wizard of Waukesha Stray Cat Productions, Inc. 1979

Audiobook Narration
Paul Elite

Audiobook Editing
Kerman Eckes

Captioning
Catie Pfeifer
Vicki Way Kipp

Educator Support Materials
Mia Forslund

Web
John Vieth
Erika Kachama-Nkoy
Tim Schneider

Design
Charles Barrows

Communications
MJ Hecox

Translation Services
University of Wisconsin-Madison Cultural Linguistic Services

Executive Producer
Peggy Garties

Special Thanks
Marta Bechtol
Kurt Griesemer

Story Advisors

Brenda Autz
Park Elementary School
Middleton, WI
(2014)

Charlene Dupler
Lakeview Elementary School
Wind Lake, WI
(2014)

Kurt Griesemer
Wisconsin HIstorical Society
Madison, WI
(2014)

Kristen McDaniel
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Madison, WI
(2014)

David J. O’Connor
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Madison, WI
(2014)

Amanda Price
Marshall Elementary School
Marshall, WI
(2014)

Beth Thayer
Hillsboro Elementary School
Hillsboro, WI
(2021)

Corey Thompson
Cardinal Stritch University
(2014)

Stephanie Unertl
Lake Mills Area School District
Lake Mills, WI
(2014)

Christina Venn
Sheboygan Falls Elementary School
Sheboygan Falls, WI
(2021)