Les Paul & Leo Fender Part I

This book masterfully recreates the rivalry between Leo Fender and Les Paul, who innovated the electric guitar’s amplified sound. It chronicles their intense competition to convince rock stars like the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton to play their instruments. The narrative spans the post-World War II era, where music evolved from big-band jazz to rock 'n' roll, and these new styles demanded revolutionary instruments. The rivalry between Fender and Paul, and their respective companies, Gibson and Fender, is central to the story, highlighting how their innovations empowered musicians with new sounds and volumes never before attainable.