Mary Ford
Mary Ford (* 7. July 1924 in El Monte , California as Iris Colleen Summers , † thirtieth September 1977 in Arcadia , California) was an American singer and guitarist . She became known through the duo Les Paul & Mary Ford with her husband Les Paul .
Life
Initially working as a country musician for artists such as Gene Autry and Jimmy Wakely under her maiden name, she achieved her greatest successes in a duet with her future husband Lester William Polfus (known as "Les Paul"). The stage name Mary Ford was picked out of a telephone directory by Les Paul because it was of the opinion that the name Iris Colleen Summers was not catchy enough for an artist.
Mary Ford had been in a relationship with Les Paul since 1946. The marriage took place in 1949. The duo Les Paul & Mary Ford were very successful in the 1950s with numerous live performances and recordings. From 1950 to 1954, Les Paul and Mary Ford had 16 top ten hits in the United States ; five of them within just nine months. Her greatest hits included How High The Moon and The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise . The couple also received their own television show, which ran successfully on US television from 1953 to 1960 under the name The Les Paul and Mary Ford at Home Show .
Since the nomadic life as musicians put a heavy strain on the marriage, the couple divorced in 1964. Mary Ford retired from the music business, Les Paul initially worked as a hobby inventor and consultant for the guitar manufacturing company Gibson before returning to the stage with guest appearances and solo projects.
Mary Ford remarried after breaking up with Les Paul and took the name "Hatfield" of her new husband. She lived in Monrovia, California until her death in 1977. Her artistic activities were limited to occasional charity appearances and music with her family. Mary Ford died on September 30, 1977 as a result of her diabetes .
Services
The duo Les Paul & Mary Ford distinguished themselves primarily through the use of the then still new multi-track recording technology . Mary Ford was able to sing polyphonic choirs with herself in the studio by pre-recording various harmony parts and later mixing them together. For live performances, Les Paul invented the so-called "Les Paulverizer" and "Mary Fordverizer"; Both tape recorders hidden behind the stage that Les Paul could control remotely from his guitar.
Together the duo achieved great success in the 1950s with their music, which was characterized by catchy melodies influenced by jazz and swing . Despite the revolutionary use of new sound technology and sound effects , the couple was considered to be the model of a happy, slightly conservative American model family, especially through their television series.
Discography
Singles (selection)
- Lover (When You're Near Me)
- How high the moon
- Vaya Con Dios
- Bye bye blues
Albums (selection)
- Wingin 'South
- Lover's Luau
- Warm and wonderful
- New sound
- Hits of Les and Mary
Web links
- Les Paul and Mary Ford in the studio
- YouTube: Excerpt from the "Les Paul and Mary Ford at Home" television series
Individual evidence
- ^ Mary Ford (1924-1977) - Find A Grave Memorial. Retrieved February 15, 2014 .
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Ford, Mary |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Summers, Iris Colleen (real name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American singer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | July 7, 1924 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | El Monte , California |
| DATE OF DEATH | September 30, 1977 |
| Place of death | Arcadia , California |