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About Mary Ford
Mary Ford
Mary Ford came from a musical family that played gospel music.
She became a pioneering multitrack recording artist, sold millions of albums, and established herself as an award-winning artist.
Mary Ford is a key figure in guitar history.
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Mary Ford Bio
Biography
Mary Ford, originally known as Colleen Summers, began her career with the vocal group 'The Sunshine Girls.' The ensemble was celebrated for its perfect harmonies, and they provided backing vocals for popular Western singers like Jimmy Wakely and Foy Willing. In 1944, Mary had the remarkable opportunity to sing with the legendary 'Singing Cowboy,' Gene Autry.
In 1946, Gene Autry introduced Mary to famed inventor and guitar builder Les Paul. Tragically, in 1948, Mary was involved in a serious car accident while driving on an icy road, resulting in a broken pelvis. Les, who was a passenger, suffered permanent disabilities. The couple married on December 29, 1949.
In 1949, Mary Ford was the first artist to achieve the groundbreaking accomplishment of overdubbing a vocal harmony in a recording studio.
A recording technique that became known as "The New Sound."
In 1951, she received one of the first Gold Top Gibson guitars, and her unforgettable performance on 'How High the Moon' soared it to #1 on the charts. Between 1950 and 1957, Mary was featured on 14 albums, numerous singles, and 16 top ten hits, along with a weekly television show. She had the honor of performing for President Eisenhower at the White House in 1956. By 1960, Mary and Les were celebrated with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 1961, Mary embraced the new Gibson SG guitar, significantly contributing to its commercial success. Mary and Les Paul divorced in 1963.
Sadly, Mary Ford passed away Friday, October 7th, 1977, in Los Angeles after spending 8 weeks in a coma due to complications from diabetes related to alcohol dependency. She was just 53 years old.
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