British guitarist analyses Les Paul and Mary Ford live in 1954!

[@marshallsmountain]

You probably won't believe this, but in the late 1970s I became friends with a man named Ed Lewing. We were friends until Ed passed away years later. Ed built guitars and was interested in recording. He traded me engineering lessons for amp repair work, as I was into multi track recording. Ed worked for years building amps for Leo Fender in Fullerton. Eddie told me that he visited Les's house one day in the 50s. Mary was home but told Ed that if he wanted to see Les, he would have to follow the low impedance cable 150 yards up the path to the cave on the hill behind the house. Sure enough, Les was just coming out of the cave when Ed finally made it up the hill. Big grin on his face, Les said that the damn Mic was too far away from the speaker for the recording he was working on. This I a true story. Those guys were a breed of their own.

[@ronfrey5327]

Im guessing he had the reverb chamber up there so he could set a speaker at one end and mic at the other to set the best sounding distance .. or even mic's every 10 feet apart or further down till the end 150 yard snake please and im gonna need lots of mics and cable..1000 yards and send more tape.. This was a great story to read... lol Im in this building and its got tile floors and alot of space so at night im playing at volume and even singing aloud to hear the natural reverb in the place.. then I come upstairs and read this. Tell me thats not standing the hairs up on me tonight this used to be a radio station to boot. thanks very much for posting this story keep them coming it made my year...

[@HerriCaine]

@@ronfrey5327Eerie

[@kellycoleman715]

Mary also had a great, smooth singing voice as well. Two very talented musicians.

[@johnmckenzie4639]

Another great video Fil! This clip shows that Les and Mary were not only great musicians, but great entertainers as well. And when it comes to Mary's level of musicianship, I think we can safely say it was high. VERY HIGH.

[@carlswenson5538]

How High the Moon was a wonder for it's time. Still a masterpiece to this day.

[@sallybilzon3507]

First song my husband ever heard by them; introduced to them by his father, who was a big fan.

[@miskelproducts41]

GENIUSSSS!!!

[@tnmoppylaura5476]

Came across this from a while back and had to watch it again. I’m sure that Les and Mary would be honored that you introduced them to a new generation! Thanks Fil.

[@hectorsmommy1717]

I live close to the cemetery where Les Paul is buried. It is always interesting to walk there and, similar to Jewish graves where people leave a pebble, his grave always has a bunch of guitar picks left on it in remembrance.

[@Deliquescentinsight]

That is nice to hear, Les was a superb talent.

[@robertsmyth4998]

John Bonham’s grave in Worcestershire England is similar with fans leaving drumsticks on it

[@MJ-cf8dy]

Cool

[@Ontogeny56]

@@robertsmyth4998 , thanks Robert. What Bonzo had as a drummer cannot be copied. Despite the many KZbin videos of "drummers" doing covers of him. I remember some years back whilst talking to a man on the bar stool next to me about modern day guitar players. He stated that most could outplay Jimi Hendrix. I did not reply to him. All that enveloped me was a warm blanket in a snow storm, was the fact that they were not Hendrix. Point being, it is much easier to copy what someone else has done, than stand out from the crowd.

[@robertsmyth4998]

David Holder way back David Geffen asked Glyn Johns to listen to Linda Ronstadt’s band , Glyn agreed to produce them but only if he could take them to Olympic studios London, where he had worked with The Who, The Stones, etc , Don Henley asked Glyn to give him more volume, to sound like John Bonham, Glyn told him in no uncertain terms, if you want to sound like John Bonham HIT THE ✨🌟💥☄️🌙🔥💥 things harder, that was for The Eagles first album

[@futuredirected]

Just as Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, backwards and in heels, Mary Ford did everything Les Paul did, in the shadow of her husband. She was a great guitarist. Awesome analysis, as always, Dear Fil. Thank You! ❤️

[@filianablanxart8305]

Mary Ford was an accomplished Western Swing guitarist before she ever met Les .

[@futuredirected]

@@filianablanxart8305 That’s right!!!

[@johnnhoj6749]

That's what Ginger said. If you look at their routines though if you watch closely Astaire often breaks away to do something more complex which Ginger doesn't do. Not saying that she might not have been capable of doing it, but she didn't.

[@demef758]

You beat me to it, Samantha. I had the same thought.

[@Pimp-Master]

She was a far, far, far better singer.

[@jeffreyblue627]

I saw Les play several times very late in his life when he and his band would play Monday nights at the Iridium in New York. His hands were gnarled with arthritis but he was still able to put on quite a show. What great memories.

[@aprils6589]

Jeffrey - How lucky you are to have seen the live shows. I am watching the vid now with les and slash. All the shows are so casual and seem to be unrehearsed. Good stuff 👍

[@1968custom]

Same here - small venue and he had a new Les Paul and the tech told me he wrapped the coils himself that day at 90 years old - after the show he sat in the small room off stage and was very cordial and signed my train ticket and talked about music and Mary Ford and said he would have signed my 68 Les paul had I brought it in. Great performer and real person.

[@jeffreyblue627]

1968custom I sat with Les in that room several times. He was always willing to take photos (he also signed a few pick guards for my guitars), especially when I was accompanied by a pretty woman. He was quite a guy.

[@1968custom]

@@jeffreyblue627 totally agree and any guitarist of renown usually tried to show up there and jam with him

[@jeffreyblue627]

1968custom Absolutely. I saw a number of big name guitarists who came to pay homage. Those Monday nights at the Iridium were magical.

[@devakolb8045]

That was hilarious. I could watch them for hours. Your insight Fil, only added to the pleasure.

[@williethebeerman]

Dr Fil, I just love these history lessons. You sir, are a master.

[@dmitri9042]

more like dr phil hahaha

[@JR-pr8jb]

Loved it. Thank God, no excruciatingly loud/offensive Wings of Pegasus YT lead-in.

[@SteveClarkeSongs]

Thanks Fil. The thing I admire about this clip is Mary's vocal harmony phrasing. It stays in perfect sync with Les no matter how much he goofs around.

[@Hi11is]

8:10 The show was on NBC. Probably lost on most international viewers and younger Americans, but those three notes - G below middle C, E above middle C, Middle C have been associated with the National Broadcasting Company for 95 years.

[@jimkreider9997]

Les Paul was one of the great guitarist that ever lived. Very interventive. She also was the first as far as I know to sing in two part harmony How High The Moon, Vaya Con Dios. I'm so glad you go back to the greats from history. Thanks much

[@markcarey4069]

LOVE this. She has just the right amount of sarcasm (in her guitar pickings}

[@shadowsflame_4007]

You're so awesome, Fil!! You cover so many genres of music with such true interest and great insight. You really KNOW music while most of us just appreciate it. You're a wonderful teacher to so many, and you make learning fun. You're the BEST youtube has to offer!!

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

You're right. I really didn't want to click on this since I don't like reaction videos, but Fil was just a great person and I became hooked. I think I am subbed since he had about 20,000 and he has almost 100K now. And several musicians are getting into the act with him, and I am sure this will happen again.

[@alexandra-fu7oq]

I learn so much from Fil. Love his channel.

[@Diosprometheus]

Fil is the best and his interest in different types of music and its history and development is genuine! I like you love his video's and his upbeat presentations.

[@sbpierce9987]

‘Chester and Lester’ - one of my all time fave albums.

[@reneleclerc6119]

Fil, I love it when someone introduces artists like this to people who are enjoying their work for the first time.

[@markroberts1301]

Everything you could want here, great playing, great singing and simultaneously doing such great physical comedy. Mary's a beauty and you can see the love and respect they have for each other.

[@cguzelli1]

Fil, another great analysis. You pick up the essence ot Les and Mary. Can you imagine what their records sounded like in 1951?!? Les was not only a fantastic guitarist (he could hold his own in any style with anyone) - Mary was the perfect compliment with a pure vocal tone and an excellent guitarist in her own right. But Les' desire to find a sound that no one had heard or done was only escliped by his crowning achievement of sound on sound which lead to multi-track. To put that into perspective Les and Mary were using an 8 track machine in 1950's and Atlantic Records took the delivery of the 2nd 8 track AMPEX machine, I believe in 1957 or 1958. To put this into historical context, the first 2 Beatle's LP's were recorded on 2 track machines and "I Want to Hold Your Hand" being the first Beatle's record done in 4 track up to and INCLUDING Sgt. Pepper, which I find amazing that George Martin and the Beatles had to "bounce" tracks tells how great they were. Abbey Road studios didn't get their 8 track until 1968 when American studios had moved onto 16 track. I remember vividly the day we took delivery of an 16 track MCI macnine {bought from Atlantic (they'd moved to 24 track)} where I was producing music. Again, Fil you're spot on!

[@michaeldeane9029]

A delightful couple that made sure they entertained their audiences. Great musos too. Thanks Fil

[@Ullarsjaldberi]

I got to meet Les Paul when I was a sophomore in high school. A classmate's dad was his 1st cousin and Les had come for some sort of family gathering. He was delighted that someone of my age (15 at the time) was not only familiar with his playing, but Mary's, too. My gramma had many of their 78's.

[@vincegotera]

Fil, I'm so excited! This was my suggestion. Thanks for the great analysis. Interesting that Les's guitar has two P-90s while Mary's guitar has a white P-90 in the neck position and a different black (wider) pickup in the bridge position ... maybe a humbucker? An early version? Certainly her tone here is a little darker than Les's. Thanks again, Fil.

[@drewpall2598]

Les Paul and Mary Ford along with Roy Clark where so entertaining on stage one tends to forget how advance they where at playing their instruments. I could watch Less, Mary and Roy all night long and never get tire of watching masters at work. superb analysis footage Fil.

[@passionforlust]

I was saying to my better half how they sort of reminded me of George Burns and Gracie Allen but of music, you know what you are doing very well to perform in the manner they did, both where extremely talented and thanks Fil, have a great Halloween.

[@widget1005]

I've only just seen this and it has warmed my heart! My dad died in 1997 but he was a massive Les Paul and Mary Ford fan so I used to hear their music regularly growing up in the 1960s. Anything by them reminds me so much of him. Thank you for the analysis too! It's so interesting to not only learn the musical technicalities, but also to see your genuine enjoyment of the artistes and their talents.

[@Marcel_Audubon]

Mary Ford's stage persona was always so sweet! Great post, Fil! just packed with interesting information about Les and Mary.

[@AugieTaylorSong]

So glad to see you do Les Paul and Mary Ford, they were such an entertaining act. And yes, truly talented. Back in those days, acts had to be talented in a number of ways to keep the crowd engaged and especially for the then-new format of TV. Such fun at around 7:00 with the guitar playing. You're right, Fil, in those days acts had to be very talented because there were relatively few media outlets and competition was stiffer than now to get on the air. Such an entertaining act and so talented, thx Fil!

[@ryanhogge8]

Man, I watched you watch The Ventures last night, and now I'm seeing this! Two of my favorite musical acts. Subscribed.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@jjock3239]

As a kid in the 50s, living in a small town of 8000 with one radio station, if you listened to the radio, you couldn't get through the day without hearing Les and Mary at least once. They were incredible. I liked your comments.

[@TruthSurge]

8:35 that laugh! It's like she's getting revenge and then she starts to shred but Les won't let her embarrass him! hehe interesting stuff. Two studio musicians who could also pull it off live.

[@sharonp3445]

So perceptive. I loved their music because they had such talent and ability. Thank you.

[@rogerbranton1752]

Nice that Mary is getting some props! Les was never in doubt as a guitarist....but think on this, he'd never have included Mary to this extent in the act if he didn't know she could keep up with him, lick-for-lick. And she always did! GO MARY!

[@artrose1717]

Watched this video over and over, but I never noticed those things you mentioned. What an eye openers they are! Thanks Fil, for your great professional analysis!

[@marvwatkins7029]

Great hair and smile which is infectious

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

Thanks for sharing this performance. Their chemistry is incredible.

[@Brashnir]

It's impossible to not smile while watching this performance.

[@beatlessteve1010]

Nice harmonic fill... Could you imagine a couple musicians coming out on stage and performing this in today's music world.... I have to love the simplicity of it all.

[@todddenio3200]

There was no mistaking that both of them were having alot of fun doing this one and also no mistaking they both had such incredible talent..

[@rainbow2710]

What an incredible duo! Her early demise was a great pity. Thanks for this review, Fil!

[@Slayblaze]

I had no idea this existed, this was a wonderful history lesson. Incredible talent that is just not seen in popular music of the past few years - I mean decades!

[@marions.120]

Look for “Chasing Sound” from I believe, American Inventors (PBS). You really get the point how important Les Paul to music and that’s beside a guitar with his name on it. ✌️😎🎸🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶

[@sooz9433]

Thank you Fil... my favorite song by Mary Ford as a kid was "The World is Waiting for the Sunrise". Something about that song stuck in my mind and to this day I still hear it clearly. Another jewel! 🎼🖤

[@geraldinefields1730]

This was wonderful to see. I loved their recording of How High the Moon. Thanks Fil.

[@laurao7688]

I just love this site. So good every time. I came across the Les Paul and Mary analysis. So enjoyable, especially at times like we have at the moment. God bless. Thank you, big time.

[@crowhaven200]

Now that is entertainment! Imagine being around to see that show live..... The master of Guitar and Les Paul too..lol.. And well... you said it all Fil. love them so much.

[@buckjohnson1119]

Thank you Fil, for another pleasant watch, and listen! Always the ray of light, in the day. Winter cold has already Hit, where I live, so this Is a blessing. 😉

[@christopherwood9213]

Steve Miller lived in the same town in Wisconsin as did Les Paul and Mary Ford. Steve would wander over and learned about guitar and electronic production. Small World!!

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

Les Paul was Steve Miller's godfather

[@klummpskards5652]

I always heard Steve's parents were friends of Les and Mary's

[@Pilot545]

Always love your analyses. And ALWAYS learn so much! Thank you, again!

[@bellesmom238]

LES WAS A GENIUS, PLAIN AND SIMPLE, THNKS FIL ALWAYS GREAT

[@willmorrison1022]

Les used to tell the story of being in the hospital and there being two doctors, one of which had no idea who Les was and wanted to amputate his arm. The other doctor was a jazz fan who knew who Les was and took over. He leaned down to Les and said he wouldn't be able to move that arm much, and where did he want it? Les said he told him "Point it at my navel" and the anesthetic took over. BTW, in his early days, he did an act where he called himself "Rhubarb Red" and played guitar and harmonica in a rack. There are 4 records that I know of, though it's rumored he had about 500 recordings that he never released. Fun stuff.

[@BeefheartLynch]

Hey Fil! Awesome video! It's so important that people know musical history. Music didn't start with the Beatles, or Zeppelin, or Nirvana. There is a reason the most famous guitar in the world is named after this man. Such sweet, clean tones, and Mary Ford is world class herself. I don't know if you ever saw Les Paul jamming with Chris Guest (Spinal Tap). It's historic. Rock on Fil.

[@georgefrench1907]

Wonderful, insightful look at Mary Ford and Les Paul. Thank you. In my opinion, Les was even better in the 1990s and beyond, when his arthritis forced him to pare down his sometimes frenetic playing. As the KZbin downloads by Chris Lentz demonstrate, his genius as a musician and entertainer continued to the end of his life,

[@georgefrench1907]

I absolutely agree. Those sessions at the Irridium and other New York clubs - available on KZbin thanks to Chris Lentz - are pure gold. The backup from the outstanding rhythm guitarist Lou Paulo and fabulous bassist/singer Nickie Parrott are a perfect complement.

[@paulsmith8212]

Thank you Fill. I found this segment very interesting as well as entertaining. These were some pretty serious guitar players.

[@roblong8497]

Great job with les and Mary. I grew up with their music . Cays con Dios and the world is waiting for the sunrise was another good song I really appreciated

[@mariorabottini5687]

Les Paul and Mary Ford are so incredibly talented! Amazing how they just feed off each other’s brilliance! Smokin analysis Fil! Cheers Mario! 😀🤘🤘

[@tm1830]

This one was fun, Fil! Your enthusiasm for new as well as older talent is refreshing. Thanks for this! ❤️

[@64north20west]

It is kind of mind-boggling how this music holds up over so many years. Just as amazing is the fact that the guitar bearing his name is still one of the ultimate benchmarks of the craft. Thanks for going this far back to analyze. Feel free to go back even further in time LOL!

[@cynergy4]

They were a delight! Your knowledge of music is astounding Fil, it's obvious that you have a real passion for music

[@garythomas4431]

This is great Phil. Not enough people see this era of talent.

[@bryanmyers1435]

Hey Fil, I really appreciate how you dig deep and delve into various genres.

[@keithbryan9754]

I took it that he stopped her just in time before she broke the string because she was supposed to be copying everything you did that's the way I took it. So that part was adlipped because he couldn't have foreseen breaking the string like that and that was not part of their rehearsal so it was spontaneous and improvised.

[@exeter1588]

These two were pioneers to be sure. Throughout the performance you hear rifts and techniques that clearly influenced rock guitarists in the years to come.

[@theonlycindarelly]

Great video as always Fil. I love the authenticity of the music and the innocence that was still around in those days. I came across my mom’s Buddy Holly record and ‘60 senior annual in 7th grade and I was hooked on everything 50s.

[@scotttittle6701]

So appreciated Fil. Grinned all the way through it. Your gifts with this channel are fantastic. Thanks!

[@johnh7018]

Wow. What a great selection Fil. You do a consistently great job!

[@johnstebbins6228]

Now . . . THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT ! ! ! Thanks again , Fil ! You never disappoint !

[@mightyV444]

I just noticed the look of the neck pick-up: Isn't he also playing that 'No.1' Les Paul guitar here which had recently been in the headlines?! 🙂

[@wingsofpegasus]

I'm not sure about the headlines, but it's definitely a Les Paul! 😂

[@mmccartney6579]

There will never be another Les Paul and Mary Ford. I'm old enough (10 days shy of 75) to remember listening to them on the radio with my parents in the late 40's and early 50's, and then watching them when we finally talked Dad into getting a T.V. about 1952. Great review, as usual, Fil! Cheers! :)

[@MJ-cf8dy]

Les is king of the guitar tricks, and inventor of one of the most iconic guitars of all time. However I must admit that I'm a Tele/Strat guy. Thanks Fil.

[@n7565j]

Outstanding Mr Fil!!! I'm always amazed by the abilities of true performers/musicians... They can seemingly play without thinking about it... Simply amazing !!! And I REALLY like that shirt you've got on too ;-) SRV!!!

[@terraboundmisfit]

I always appreciate the education Fil! Great video! Thank you!

[@MacPro8CoreMan]

Great analysis as usual, Fil. The other day I was driving by myself and flipping through my CDs I popped the Best of Les & Mary in. The next day my wife and I got in the car and I’d forgotten about the music. My wife was freaked-out! LOL She’s used to the car starting to Van Halen or Iron Maiden. I think she thought I was loosing my mind. I don’t care; it’s all great music.

[@caroleann_2142]

My favourite is "How High the Moon" it's such a Classic & Way ahead of it's time Mary's dubbing is incredible.

[@psychospeakempire]

excellent subject matter Fil... their live performance is overlooked much of the time...the man, the master, and innovator...and quite the entertainer...along with his talented wife Mary...both he and Mary were a true treasure...Paul

[@suzannerobbins6293]

Wow Fil what a treat! You took me back to when I was just a little girl! Two of the first musicians I heard!

[@RabelFibal1]

They are so good, man alive!! Awesome analysis!!!👍❤

[@douglaso6428]

Fil, your positive spirit and genuine respect/humility combined with your knowledge just make your videos the most compelling and worthwhile. Thank you for your excellent work!

[@paulsimmons5726]

Les was great... AND, so was Mary! I've seen this video before while surfing for Les Paul's stuff. Very entertaining. Yeah, Les and Mary were as good as it gets. And there we have it, indeed! Thanks for sharing!

[@carlcurtis]

A wonderful review (for me, something of a reminiscence; I was born in 1951) of Les Paul and Mary Ford who, though I didn't appreciate them at the time, were superlative ENTERTAINERS (and that's a compliment). Thanks you for this presentation. A guitarist can learn so much just by watching them.

[@dianedove1000]

Please show one of their hits so the people can appreciate just how vocally talented they were in their day. As a young girl, I remember trying to figure out how they could sing and harmonize at the same time, LOL! I LOVED their sound, and it was instantly recognizable!

[@JR-pr8jb]

What Les and Mary gave us was way more than guitar playing.

[@elmolewis9123]

Great coverage of a master and a terrific performance by Mary. I couldn't imagine performing nightly with Les Pauls with such thin straps. Those suckers are heavvvy.

[@MelindadelosSantos]

It really was entertaining, like “Anything you can do I can do better, I could do anything better than you.” 😄

[@alext9067]

Ethel Merman, Annie Get Your Gun.

[@dannyfauzi7940]

I love their performance.this is the best man wow

[@nissi.k]

Really enjoyed this analysis and bio of these amazing artists! Thanks Fil

[@loveisall5520]

I first learned about Les Paul in college in the mid 70's when a friend gave me the "Chester and Lester" album he shared with Chet Atkins. I knew nothing about Mary Ford for years. Remember, there was no internet, no KZbin, and I didn't listen to their type of oldies. Still love the work of both of these guys.

[@marilynsheffield612]

I love listening to your knowledge, you're a great teacher! You can't help but smile listening to this. The lyrics are funny but true. It would be so romantic to see someone playing together today.😙

[@scottsaunder702]

The fact he built the les paul guitar and he also built mary's guitar just for her

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

amazing !

[@twikid4134]

This is a great one Fil. And you really seemed like you enjoyed this one.....Rock ON!!!!

[@missbrooks6659]

I remember this duo when I was very, very young and had only a radio and records for entertainment. I adored them!

[@kenhall5551]

Love it, Fil! Great analysis. A classic performance.

[@bsjeffrey]

how lucky to have the same name as the guitar.

[@lifetools-help8017]

Great analyses! You're so knowlegable Professor!

[@gerard1954]

Nice job fil once again very informative

[@thrashmetaljay666]

How could anyone watch these two and not smile.

[@moritzhummel9747]

Les & Mary are so adorable... "How High The Moon" is one of my all time favourites on KZbin.

[@lindahardy8713]

Texan here... can’t help but notice the t-shirt. YES!!

[@davidwearmouth851]

Joking apart, Fil, a great video, super well prepared and researched. They are firm favorites of mine - especially with How High the Moon. If I remember correctly, Les 'retired' about 1965 (after the divorce) and didn't play seriously/creatively again for something like thirty years. Their split hit him hard. Yeah - he remarried, but it wasn't the same. He started 'serious' playing again in the mid-nineties, and the Les Paul Trio were a joy to listen to. He continued to live in the house that he and Mary bought until his death in 2009. Apart from the recording equipment that was housed these, I'm sure that the house held fond memories for him of better times. Thanks for this video Fil - have you done one on How High...?? Listen to him playing How High with the trio....

[@banjo1241]

Really enjoy your analyses!

[@pamr4040]

Gratefully, I grew up on this music, with a nice mix of big-band-era to country in our household. You mentioned Patti Page, one of the first performers to use vocal overdubbing on a recording, I believe. We had several of her albums back then, and I loved singing along with her and jumping from one harmony line to another as she sang. Les and Mary were amazingly talented player/performers...thank you so much for including this video review. 🧡