Classic Pop Icons

The Observor has produced a great series on some of some of the living legends of American music, as recalled by the stars they influenced.

In addition, photographer Jamie-James Medina spent a year taking portraits of these legends for Observor Music Monthly. The results are impressive and are presented with the articles.

The following articles are included in the series:

Jerry Lee Lewis: the hellfire pianist by Ray Davies

Chuck Berry: hail, hail, rock ‘n’ roll by Bobby Gillespie

Little Richard: the outrageous pianist by Richard Hawley

Pete Seeger: pioneer of protest by Billy Brag

Ramblin’ Jack Elliott: folk pioneer by Roger McGuinn

Etta James: blues powerhouse by Adele

Smokey Robinson: the soul of Motown by Corinne Bailey Rae

Little Anthony: the original teen dreamer by Pete Waterman

Ornette Coleman: jazz revolutionary by Seb Rochford

Sonny Rollins: sax colossus by Charlie Watts

Dave Brubeck: piano’s gentle giant by Jamie Cullum

Jimmy Scott: a voice from another world by Sufjan Stevens

Wanda Jackson: rockabilly queen by Imelda May

Kris Kristofferson: the thinking man’s outlaw by Steve Earle

Charlie Louvin: the singer of God-fearing country by Emmylou Harris

Ralph Stanley: preaching the gospel of bluegrass by Martin Carthy

T-Model Ford: boss of the blues by Dan Auerbach

Honeyboy Edwards: Delta bluesman by Paul Jones

Pinetop Perkins: the oldest living bluesman by Seasick Steve

Buddy Guy: guitar visionary by John Mayer

Les Paul: the innovator by Slash

The Living Legend series was conceived before Les Paul’s death, but the portrait and tribute remained part of the series.

As well as being a hugely gifted guitarist, Les Paul was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar. His signature guitar design ‘The Gibson Les Paul’ has been used by many of the greatest guitarists in rock history, including Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend and Slash.

The Gibson 50th Anniversary 1959 Les Paul Standard

If Paul’s contribution had ended there, he would still be considered a musical legend, but he also developed recording innovations such as overdubbing, tape delay, phasing effects, and multitrack recording that have been crucial in the recording of some of the finest albums of all time.

It’s impossible to overestimate the impact the guitarist and inventor had on the music industry. He was a true legend.

This ‘Les Paul - Chasing Sound’ DVD comes very highly recommended if you want to find out more about the great man.