Leo Fender

In the 1930's, jazz musicians experimented with amplifying traditional hollow-body guitars so they could be played with other instruments at the same sound level. One problem was that the speakers and pickups tended to generate feedback when played at a high level. Leo Fender knew he could improve on amplified hollow-body instruments. Leo Fender was born in California on August 10, 1909. His parents ran a successful orange grove. Leo became interested in electronics around age 13 after …

…of poor health, Leo Fender sold his company to CBS for $13 million. After the non-competition clause expired in the CBS sale agreement, Leo began designing guitars and basses for Music Man. Leo opened the G&L business in Fullerton. He continued to work there every day until his death on March 21, 1991, from complications from Parkinson's disease. Due in large part to Leo Fender, the electric guitar is now the world's most popular instrument.