Les Paul Receives Top Arts Award from President Bush

by Staff.

Long recognized as a key figure in the history of the electric guitar and modern audio recording techniques, Les Paul can now add the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the United States Government, the National Medal of Arts, to his already impressive list of achievements. In a ceremony conducted on November 15 in the East Room of the White House, President Bush said of the recipients of the National Medal of Arts (10) and National Humanities Medal (10): "Your accomplishments remind us that freedom of thought and freedom of expression are two pillars of our democracy. These freedoms have helped our nation build some of the finest centers of learning in the world. They've helped inspire new movements in art and literature. And they've helped fill our libraries and museums and theaters with great works for all our citizens to enjoy."

A military aide read the citation that accompanied each recipient's award: "Les Paul. The 2007 National Medal of Arts to Les Paul for his innovation as a musician, his pioneering designs of the electric guitar, and his groundbreaking recording techniques that have influenced the development of American jazz, blues, and pop music, and inspired generations of guitarists." See yesterday's article for a full transcript of the ceremony and more information about the National Medal of Arts.

Related Links
Guitarist and Inventor Les Paul Passes Away at 94
Guitarist Les Paul Receives 2007 National Medal of Arts
Les Paul Interview (2005)
Les Paul Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on His 90th Birthday
Les Paul Tribute Concert at Carnegie Hall
White House press release regarding 2007 National Medal of Arts recipients

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