The image of "Renaissance Man" certainly fits Les Paul, a 20th century popular music phenomenon to conjure within both the guitar world and the music industry. Paul's career reflects his adaptability. Although his work was mainly in the popular vein, with a strong country leaning. Paul was also comfortable in a jazz environment and played some fine blues. The clear tone of his early single string work and the humour of his special effects, like an occasional exaggerated vibrato or gruff bass-register phrases, set a clear precedent for the innovative multitrack records that made his name a few years later. Les Paul's influence as a guitarist is acknowledged by musicians ranging from B.B. King, Jerry Garcia and Eric Clapton to James Burton, Frank Zappa, Link Wray, Keith Richards and Jeff Beck.