Mary Ford

Mary Ford (July 7, 1928-September 30, 1977, original name Iris Colleen Summers) was half of a husband-wife musical duo; the other half being Les Paul.

Related Topics:
July 7 - 1928 - September 30 - 1977 - Music - Les Paul

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Ford was born in El Monte, California. The name Mary Ford was picked out of a telephone directory by Paul, so she had as short a name as his when they recorded as a duo. She was originally a country music performer, working with Gene Autry and Jimmy Wakely, and became one of the early practitioners of multi-tracking, where she recorded several parts of a multi-part harmony. She, Patti Page (who was probably the first), and Jane Turzy were three singers who used multi-tracking on their hits in the early 1950s.

Related Topics:
El Monte, California - Telephone - Country music - Gene Autry - Jimmy Wakely - Patti Page - Jane Turzy - 1950s

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She was a couple with Paul from 1946, and married in 1949.

Related Topics:
1946 - 1949

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In 1964 they broke up both personally and professionally; Mary Ford went into retirement, while Les Paul continued as a consultant for the Gibson Company, guitar makers.

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She died of complications from diabetes in Arcadia, California.

Related Topics:
Diabetes - Arcadia, California

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