Mary Ford was one of the most popular singers of the 1950s, known for her harmonious duets with her husband and guitar innovator Les Paul. Together, they created some of the most memorable hits of the era, such as “How High the Moon” and “Vaya con Dios”. But behind the scenes, Ford struggled with personal and professional challenges that eventually led to her untimely death at the age of 53. Here is the tragic story of how Mary Ford died.
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Early Life and Career
Mary Ford was born Iris Colleen Summers on July 7, 1924, in El Monte, California. She came from a musical family, as her parents were gospel singers and her siblings were all musicians. She started singing in churches and recording religious songs with her friends at a young age. She also won a talent contest judged by Judy Garland when she was in junior high school.
Ford dropped out of school and pursued a career in music, joining various groups and performing on radio shows. She adopted the stage name Mary Ford in 1946, when she joined Gene Autry’s Melody Ranch radio show. She also met Les Paul around this time, who was impressed by her voice and invited her to work with him.
Success with Les Paul
Ford and Paul became a musical and romantic duo, marrying in 1949. They developed a unique sound that combined Paul’s innovative guitar techniques and Ford’s multi-layered vocals. They used overdubbing, echo, and reverb to create a rich and complex sound that was unlike anything else at the time. They also had a natural chemistry that charmed audiences.
Ford and Paul recorded many songs that became hits, such as “Mockin’ Bird Hill”, “The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise”, “Tiger Rag”, and “Bye Bye Blues”. Their biggest hit was “How High the Moon”, which topped the Billboard charts for nine weeks in 1951. They also had their own television show, The Les Paul and Mary Ford at Home Show, which ran from 1953 to 1960.
Ford and Paul were one of the most successful musical acts of the 1950s, selling millions of records and winning several awards. They influenced many artists, such as the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and the Everly Brothers. They were also admired by their peers, such as Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley.
Problems and Divorce
Despite their fame and fortune, Ford and Paul faced many difficulties in their personal and professional lives. They had a car accident in 1953 that left Paul with severe injuries that affected his playing ability. They also had conflicts over their musical direction, as Ford wanted to sing more traditional songs while Paul wanted to experiment with new sounds. They also had marital problems, as Paul was often away from home and Ford felt lonely and neglected.
Ford and Paul separated in 1961 and divorced in 1964. They also stopped recording together, although they occasionally reunited for special occasions. Ford remarried twice, first to Donald Hatfield in 1965 and then to Bob Wootton in 1977. She also tried to revive her solo career, but she did not achieve much success.
Death from Diabetes
Ford suffered from diabetes for most of her adult life. She did not take good care of her health, as she smoked heavily and drank excessively. She also became depressed and isolated from her family and friends. Her diabetes worsened over time, causing her to lose her sight and hearing. She also developed gangrene in her legs, which required amputation.
Ford died on September 30, 1977, at a hospital in Arcadia, California. She was only 53 years old. She was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
Legacy
Mary Ford was one of the most talented and influential singers of her generation. She had a beautiful voice that could sing any genre of music. She also pioneered the use of multi-tracking and other recording techniques that changed the sound of popular music. She was a trailblazer for female artists who wanted to have more control over their careers.
Mary Ford’s music lives on through her recordings and through the artists who were inspired by her. She is remembered as a musical legend who left an indelible mark on the history of music.
