Guns N' Roses star Slash¹ has paid tribute to guitar pioneer Les Paul, who has died aged² 94, calling him "vibrant³ and full of positive energy".

Guns N' Roses歌星Slash称颂94岁逝世的吉他先锋Les Paul“充满积极的活力”。

Paul died from complications of pneumonia⁴（肺炎） in New York, according to Gibson, the firm that sold his guitars.

In a statement Slash said: "He was an exceptionally brilliant man, musician, inventor, mentor⁵（指导者） and friend."

U2's The Edge, The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson and Billy Gibbons of band ZZ Top have also paid tribute to the musician.

'Genius inventor'

Paul is credited with developing one of the first solid-body electric guitars, which went on sale in 1952 and contributed to the birth of rock.

He also developed other influential⁶ recording⁷ innovations such as multi-track recording, overdubbing and the eight-track tape recorder.

The Edge, who is closely associated with the Les Paul sound, called him a "legend of the guitar and a true renaissance⁸ man".

He added: "Les Paul disproves the cliche⁹（陈腔滥调） that you can only be famous for one thing.

"His legacy¹⁰ as a musician and inventor will live on and his influence on rock and roll will never be forgotten."

Fellow guitarist Joe Satriani called Paul "the original guitar hero," saying: "Les Paul set a standard for musicianship and innovation that remains¹¹ unsurpassed."

Gibbons called him an "innovator¹², a groundbreaker, a risk taker, a mentor and a friend".

And US rock artist Joan Jett called Paul a "genius inventor, musical innovator, and a wonderful person".

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

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

Paul was also a successful performer in his own right, notching¹³ up 11 number one singles and 36 gold discs with his wife Mary Ford¹⁴.

He was inducted（使就职，使入伍） into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1978 and the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.