AMERICA 250 | WISCONSIN ORIGINALS Wisconsin Originals: Les Paul of Waukesha helped make Rock & Roll what it is today From the America 250 series BARRY ADAMS Jul 22, 2026 Jul 22, 2026 Updated Jul 30, 2026 × Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, we're recognizing Wisconsinites who have made unique contributions to the nation.k9C ^mkAm{6D !2F=’D 9@>6\DAF? :?G6?E:@?D 6=6G2E65 9:> E@ 2 A66C 8C@FA E92E :?4=F56D q6?;2>:? uC2?<=:? 2?5 %9@>2D t5:D@?]k^AmkAmxE H2D !2F=[ ?:4<?2>65 “%96 (:K2C5 @7 (2F<6D92[” H9@ 96=A65 >2<6 E96 D@F?5 @7 p>6C:42? #@4< V? #@== A@DD:3=6 H:E9 9:D D@=:5\3@5J 6=64EC:4 8F:E2CD 2?5 E96 C64@C5:?8 AC24E:46D 96 :?G6?E65 =:<6 @G6C5F33:?8 2?5 >F=E:\EC24< C64@C5:?8]k^Am kAmw:D v:3D@? {6D !2F= rFDE@> 8F:E2CD 92G6 366? 72G@C65 @G6C E96 J62CD 3J E96 =:<6D @7 y:>>J !286 @7 {65 +6AA6=:?[ sF2?6 p==>2? @7 E96 p==>2? qC@E96CD q2?5 2?5 #2?5J #9@25D @7 "F:6E #:@E]k^Am People are also reading… Walworth County native helps produce documentary about Bob Uecker Lake Geneva wins second annual putting competition; winnings donated to storm victims Plan Commission OKs permit for renovation of Main Street building 10th OWI conviction gets Madison man a 9½-year prison sentence Personnel Committee approves changes to conduct policy for elected officials These Wisconsinites beat astronomical odds to win Powerball jackpots Lake Geneva Garden Club to host America Flower Show Registration full for upcoming Red Bull Rush Delivery race Adams Electric in Elkhorn selected as a 2026 Future 50 company Art in the Park in Lake Geneva, brat & corn roast in Williams Bay Badger Boys Cross Country ready to chase another Southern Lakes crown Worker dies after falling through roof at Grant County construction site Trump signs orders to limit US birthright citizenship Mark Eugene Pearson Food recalls keep growing. Eggs, lettuce, soup and more affected kAm!2F=[ 2=D@ 2 46=63C2E65 ;2KK >FD:4:2?[ k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^C@4<92==]4@>^:?5F4E66D^=6D\A2F=^Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<QmH2D :?5F4E65 :?E@ E96 #@4< U2>Aj #@== w2== @7 u2>6k^2m :? `hgg 2?5[ :? a__f[ EH@ J62CD 367@C6 9:D 562E9[ H2D 2H2C565 E96 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]2CED]8@G^9@?@CD^>652=D^=6D\A2F=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm}2E:@?2= |652= @7 pCEDk^2m[ E96 9:896DE 2H2C5 8:G6? E@ 2CE:DED 3J E96 &]$] 8@G6C?>6?E]k^Am Les Paul, known for his innovations on the solid body electric guitar and in multitrack recording, was born in Waukesha. RICHARD DREW kAmq@C? {6DE6C !@=D7FDD :? `h`d[ !2F= 4C62E65 9:D 7:CDE 6=64EC:4 8F:E2C H96? 96 H2D 2 E66?286C 3J 4@33=:?8 E@86E96C A2CED 7C@> 9:D A2C6?ED’ C64@C5 A=2J6C] !2F= 5C@AA65 @FE @7 9:89 D49@@= E@ ;@:? 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(2F<6D92 762EFC6D 2 =2C86 >@?F>6?E H:E9 2 8F:E2C]k^Am In this Series America 250 Updated Jun 25, 2026 Follow Wisconsin's journey through America's 250 years Updated Jun 25, 2026 See how the Racine Journal Times marked the bicentennial with this 60-page special section Updated Jun 25, 2026 Fred Risser, nation's longest-serving legislator, on how politics has changed 57 updates Previous Next Dive into hometown history With a weekly newsletter looking back at local history. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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Trump Aide Shares Photo With Jeanine Pirro After Claims President Was Furious Over Reflecting Pool Incident
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