Les Paul’s Big Sound Experience recalls the memorable musician’s high notes
The cross-country exhibit stops at USC with interactive exhibits, history lessons and video interviews
https://youtu.be/NIaFcW3Tt-g
For two days, a movable feast of popular music history arrived when Les Paul’s Big Sound Experience visited USC. The 53-foot mobile museum has been making its way across the country to share the history of the legendary inventor, musician and leader in the music industry.
On Jan. 28 and 29, USC students enjoyed interactive exhibits, music exploration and hands-on entertainment in the 1,000-square-foot space, including a public lecture by Chris Sampson, vice dean of the Contemporary Music Division at the USC Thornton School of Music.
Paul was an innovator who invented the solid-body electric guitar, multitrack recording, over-dubbing and many other recording techniques used today. The anniversary tour is meant to inspire college students to learn more about Paul’s impact on the industry, while also increasing their interest in the engineering of sound and music.
Students explored different modules leading them through the highlights of Paul’s life, allowing them to listen to the distinctive impacts he made to music through the years and showing them exclusive video interviews with Paul himself.
“Our goal is to reintroduce Les to a new generation of music lovers,” said Michael Braunstein, executive director of the Les Paul Foundation, sponsors of the tour.
The mobile exhibit started in New York City and has since traveled across the United States. It will return to the East Coast and complete its tour by the end of May.