WPCNR MILESTONES. August 13,2009: Les Paul, who with his partner, Mary Ford, invented and popularized the twangy expressive new sound of an instrument he invented -- the electric guitar -- died today in White Plains Hospital of pneumonia at 94 years of age, but his and Mary Ford's  recordings will live forever.

Les Paul, right, and his sweetheart of song, Mary Ford. They combined Mr. Paul's virtuoso electric guitar sound with Ms. Ford's delightful mellowtone on Tennessee Waltz, Vaya Con Dios, Mockin' Bird Hill and I'm Confessing, Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart, Mister Sandman.

Paul was given his first guitar by his mother and learned to play guitar in the army.He was inspired by the original Singing Cowboy, the great Gene Autry, who also mentored Les.  Mr. Paul  began his musical career playing for Fred Waring and Bing Crosby. He invented the solid-body amplified electric guitar and pioneered multi-track recording to create the unique, finger-snapping, Les Paul and Mary Ford sound.