(MAHWAH, NJ) -- The Mahwah Museum reached absolute capacity on June 7, 2026, as fans, historians, and music lovers packed the venue for the Authentic Les Paul & Mary Ford Tribute Show performed by Tom Doyle, Les Paul's right-hand man of over 45 years, and his wife, Sandy Doyle. It was a standing-room-only, honoring the legacy of the "Godfather of the Electric Guitar" two days before what would have been his 111th birthday on June 9th.
For over 45 years, Tom stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Les as his personal luthier, sound engineer, right-hand man, and closest confidant. At the Tribute show, Tom channeled half a century of that shared history into a masterclass performance. Earning his inner-circle moniker "Tommy Eight Track," Tom's high-speed fingerpicking flawlessly recreated Les's iconic multi-track wizardry with a single guitar. Alongside him, Sandy Doyle captured the very soul of Mary Ford, delivering the self-harmony, warmth, and vocal charm that made the duo an international phenomenon.
With Les Paul's birthday arriving on June 9th, the performance carried a massive emotional weight. Tom Doyle took to the stage not just as an entertainer, but as a devoted friend honoring his dearest companion. He played with a reverence and fiery passion that left the packed house speechless, celebrating a legendary friendship and working partnership that spanned nearly five decades, from the workbench to the storied stages of Fat Tuesday's and the Iridium.
"This wasn't just a tribute. It was living history, an outpouring of love delivered by the one man who actually lived it," said Colleen McSpirit of the Mahwah Museum.
The sold-out event culminated in a mesmerizing "Inside-the-Music Q&A session. As the Tom captivated the audience with firsthand oral history, dispelling industry myths and sharing the real, untold stories of the nights that forged music history. It was a rare, intimate glimpse into the genius of Les Paul, told by the man who was in the room when the magic happened.
The overwhelming success of this Sunday's birthday tribute, a standing-room-only event, proves that the legacy of Les Paul and Mary Ford remains as vital and resonant as ever. As the world raises a glass to Les Paul's 111th birthday, Tom and Sandy Doyle have ensured that his spirit, his sound, and his true story continue to echo brilliantly into the future.
The Mahwah Museum is open on Saturdays, October-June from 1:00pm-4:00pm. Admission to Mahwah Museum is $5 per person. Admission is free for children 18 and under, students, Mahwah Museum and Family First members. The Museum is located at 201 Franklin Turnpike in Mahwah, New Jersey.
