Have I got a gal for you! (The Seemingly Unfortunate Love Life of Mary Ford)

While watching the American Masters documentary on Les Paul, the great man who invented multi-track recording and the solid body electric guitar, I was mostly intrigued by the life of his one-time wife and business partner, Mary Ford.

Young Iris Colleen Hatfield, just out of highschool, found work with Gene Autry as a back-up country vocalist. She was making a fine living in this position, but there was no chance of getting into the big money if she stayed there. Luckily for her, Gene passed her off to a good friend, Les Paul. Mr. Paul was looking for a girl to sing with him. Any girl with a good voice and decent enough knockers should do.

So now this well dressed guitarist with a classic midwestern face and a knack for business rolls up and what else is a poor unsuspectingly ambitious gal supposed to do? Their partnership started strickly professional. Mr. Paul chose a name for her, Mary Ford. He chose songs for her to sing. He moved her around from city to city, showing off their classic combo. I guess it just made sense to get married four years later. Good business sense. When they stopped making hits, it was only a matter of time before that partnership became obsolete.

In the end, at least she got a catchy line from one of their songs on her tombstone. Good thing Les Paul made her the way she was, or no one would even visit her grave.