'A true innovator and legend'

Slash, The Edge and Brian Wilson pay tribute to guitar hero Les Paul, who has died aged 94.

The musician, who is credited with developing one of the first solid-body electric guitars, passed away from complications of pneumonia in New York.

SLASH, FORMER GUNS N' ROSES GUITARIST

Les Paul was a shining example of how full one's life can be.

He accomplished so much, and was so vibrant and full of positive energy.

I'm honoured and humbled to have known and played with him over the years, he was an exceptionally brilliant man, musician, inventor, mentor & friend.

BRIAN WILSON, SINGER-SONGWRITER WITH THE BEACH BOYS

Les Paul and Mary Ford were among my most favourite musicians in the 50s.

He was the first guy to do multi guitar, multi track recording and that turned me on to guitars and stacking vocals for our records.

THE EDGE, U2 GUITARIST

A legend of the guitar and a true renaissance man.

Les Paul disproves the cliche that you can only be famous for one thing.

His legacy as a musician and inventor will live on and his influence on Rock and Roll will never be forgotten.

JOE SATRIANI, GUITARIST

Les Paul set a standard for musicianship and innovation that remains unsurpassed.

He was the original guitar hero, and the kindest of souls. Last October, I joined him onstage at The Iridium club in New York and he was still shredding. He was, and still is, an inspiration to us all.

BILLY GIBBONS, ZZ TOP SINGER AND GUITARIST

Les Paul brought six strings to electricity and electricity to six strings.

Les Paul was an innovator, a groundbreaker, a risk-taker, a mentor and a friend.

Try to imagine what we'd be doing if he hadn't come along and changed the world.

There will always be more Les to come. That's certified.

JOAN JETT, ROCK ARTIST

I, and everyone at Blackheart Records, mourn the passing of our dear friend, Les Paul.

He was a genius inventor, musical innovator, and a wonderful person.

Without the advances he pioneered, the recording sciences and the electric guitar would have been left years behind.

I will miss him so much.

MICK JONES, THE CLASH GUITARIST

As a child, I was introduced to the sound of Les Paul through my parent's record collection.

It was a spellbinding moment when I first heard How High The Moon featuring Mary Ford.

His innovation and recording techniques contributed greatly to the creation of Rock music.

KEITH URBAN, COUNTRY SINGER

I have a mix of emotions today. On one hand, I am deeply saddened at Les Paul's passing, and on the other, a feeling of incredible gratitude and awe for his unquantifiable contribution to the world of music.

His name adorns so many of the creations that I communicate through every night out here on the road.

He is also very present every time I set foot in the studio and am able to lay multiple tracks as I record, when I use echo. The list of his inventions, in addition to his famous signature model Gibson, are extraordinary.

I also feel that, even in his nineties, the fact he was still playing every Monday night in New York is perhaps the most beautiful and inspiring achievement of all.

PAT METHENY, JAZZ GUITARIST

It is hard to over-estimate the impact that Les Paul has had on our culture.

He is one of those rare figures, maybe the only one, whose fingerprints can be found in nearly every aspect of the way that music has been played, produced and listened to over the past half century of recorded sound.

His contribution to the guitar itself literally changed everything and his playing was influential, not only for the great ideas and notes but in the way that he brought a high level of musicianship to a mass audience.

He was also a hilarious and charming figure off the bandstand who delighted every musician he met with his many tales and insights.

Any encounter with Les was always something to remember and cherish.

ACE FREHLEY, GUITARIST

The music industry has lost a giant. I'm very saddened by the news of Les Paul's passing.

I was lucky enough to have known Les as a friend, and admired him as a musician and innovator.

He forever changed the way we listen to music.

RICKEY MEDLOCKE, LYNYRD SKYNYRD GUITARIST

I'm so thankful that this guy was such an incredible genius for developing such a great guitar.

I am a 3rd generation Gibson user and I always will be. God bless Les Paul.

DAVE NAVARRO, JANE'S ADDICTION

Les is single handedly responsible for the direction and evolution of the modern rock movement. Period.

If you are a fan of modern music, you owe Les Paul an enormous thank you.

BOOTSY COLLINS, BASSIST

Yes, it is very painful when you lose a man, his music, and his everyday presence here on this planet called Earth.

For us musicians that knew the bar that this man Mr Les Paul set, not only for guitar players but for music in general, especially rock music, the world will never be the same.

His famous Gibson Les Paul brand guitars are still, to this day, the number one hottest rock guitar on the market.

I got the opportunity in 1991 to do a session with Mr Paul when I was with Dee-Lite.

It was such an inspiration to be in the presence of such greatness, he will be sadly missed by many. We love you Les.

JOE PERRY, AEROSMITH GUITARIST

As a guitarist and a fan of music in general, I know the amazing contributions Les Paul made in his lifetime to the art of making music.

I think if the general public knew how much of that influence is heard every day in the music that they listen to, they would be amazed.

He was a true genius. The few times that I had met him, he made me feel like I had known him forever.

He was always sharp, ready to rock and he was always talking about his next gig.

Knowing that he is not walking the earth anymore is sad and I have lost a friend.

But every time I pick up a guitar I'll know that his spirit is alive and well, right next to me.

NEIL PORTNOW, RECORDING ACADEMY PRESIDENT

Three-time Grammy winner Les Paul was a musical mastermind whose innovations in electric guitar and recorded music are unparalleled.

A 1983 Trustees award recipient and a 2001 technical Grammy award recipient, his career and contributions to popular music will forever be celebrated, and will continue to influence future generations of musicians.

His magnetic charm and sunny disposition matched his incredible skill set, and he will always be remembered with great fondness, humility, and respect.

The music industry has lost a true innovator and legend.