Painter and new-media artist who is considered a pioneer of light shows that accompany musical performances, he worked with the Grateful Dead, Pauline Oliveros, Morton Subotnick, David Tudor, and Terry Riley. In 1963, Riley and Ramon Sender invited Martin to join the San Francisco Tape Music Center as visual director, later creating stage light shows for psychedelic rock groups in San Francisco. After moving to New York, he produced the visual systems for the Electric Circus before taking a position at New York University’s newly established Intermedia Arts Department.
Classic pop singer and occasional actor ( Hit the Deck , Here Come the Girls , Casbah ) whose career peaked in the 1950s. His biggest hit was "Theres No Tomorrow" (RCA Victor, 1950), which was adapted from the traditional Neapolitan ballad "O Solo Mio" (Elvis Presley later had one of the biggest hits of his career by adapting the same song as "Its Now or Never"). Happily married for sixty years to actress/dancer Cyd Charisse.
Very early in his career, he was a sax player, under his real name of Al Morris, in an orchestra headed by Tom Gerun. Among the other orchestra members were unknowns (at the time) Woody Herman and singer Ginny Simms.
One son with his second wife, Cyd Charisse : Tony Martin Jr. He adopted Charisses son Nicholas from her first marriage.
Son Tony Martin Jr. (born on August 28, 1950) died in April 2011, and was survived by Liv Lindeland -Martin, his wife of almost 30 years, father Tony Martin, Sr. and half-brother Nico Charisse.
His first hit record was "Now it Can Be Told" , a song by Irving Berlin from the film Alexanders Ragtime Band . It was sung on-screen by his then-wife Alice Faye.
There was a misunderstanding that led to his discharge from the Navy during World War II, and even though he had served honorably, there were false rumors that he had tried to buy an officers commission. As a result even after the war, some major labels refused to record him. He finished up the war in the Army and was awarded the Bronze Star as a noncombatant in the Far East.
He was awarded 4 Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6331 Hollywood Boulevard, for Motion Pictures at 6436 Hollywood Boulevard; for Radio at 1760 Vine Street; and for Television at 1725 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.
Tony was at a Friars Club Roast for Lucille Ball /Desi Arnaz in November, 1958, when Harry Parke , having just completed his comedy routine and returning to his seat, collapsed into Milton Berle s lap. Berle, hoping to divert the audience from Harrys distress, urged Tony to sing something. His unfortunate song choice was "Theres No Tomorrow." Parke died of a heart attack.
He appeared in more than 30 films.
Twice, songs sung on screen by Martin received Academy Award nominations: "For Every Man Theres a Woman" from Casbah and "Its a Blue World" from the 1940 film, Music in My Heart .
His parents, Edward and Hattie Morris, were Jewish immigrants from Poland who divorced when he was young, and he considered his stepfather, tailor Myer Myers, his father.
Growing up in Oakland, Calif., he took up the saxophone after his grandmother gave him one when he was 10.
In high school, he formed his first band and after graduating spent about two years at St. Marys College in Moraga, Calif., but left to pursue music.
For several years, he played and sang with bands in the San Francisco area, including the Tom Gerun Orchestra.
His parents wanted him to be a lawyer. He briefly attended St. Marys, a Christian Brothers college, CA. He says he left college in 1931 when "one of the brothers told me I was flunking everything and should stick to music.".
In 1954, on "The Colgate Comedy Hour" hosted by Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis , he appeared with singer/comedian Joe E. Lewis , who was later portrayed by Frank Sinatra in the film bio, The Joker Is Wild . When the shows announcer first introduced "Martin and Lewis", that evening, Tony and Joe E. came on stage, instead.
He lived longer than both of his wives. His first wife, Alice Faye who he was divorced from in 1941, died in 1998, and his second wife, Cyd Charisse , who he remained married to until her death in 2008, while he died in 2012, age 98.
10-year relationship with Lydia Miller , which ended amicably.
Has one child, Justin Martin , from a previous marriage. He is also an actor.
With Mick Molloy , co-wrote and co-presented "Martin/Molloy", a daily radio comedy programme broadcast live, all over Australia, for four years.
Co-hosted and co-wrote the shambolic Melbourne radio comedy program "Bulltwang" (Triple M, 1990) with Mick Molloy , Jason Stephens , John Harrison , Michael Hirsh and Pete Smith
For five years (1987-1991) wrote and performed on Melbourne radios "D-Generation Breakfast Show" (EONfm/Triple M) with Tom Gleisner and Santo Cilauro , and later Michael Veitch , Rob Sitch , Jane Kennedy , Mick Molloy , Jason Stephens and Judith Lucy.
Is often confused with Australian actor Tony Martin. When both appeared on "The Games" in 2000, Martin was credited as "Tony Martin" and Martin as "The Other Tony Martin".
In 1979, his Super-8 film Batman Again came third in New Zealand televisions TV2 School Filmmaking Competition, a poor cousin to TV1s famous Spot-On Filmmaking Competition. He was presented with his prize by after-school host Richard Wilkins , then known as Richard Wilde.
Hosted "Get This" on Australias Triple-M radio network, with Ed Kavalee and Richard Marsland.
Half-brother of Kerry Martin.
With the exception of two Black Sabbath reunions in 1992 (one with Ronnie James Dio , then another with Ozzy Osbourne ), he was Black Sabbaths singer for almost a decade (1987-1996). His albums with the band include "The Eternal Idol" , "Headless Cross" , "TYR" , "Cross Purposes" and "Forbidden" .
Ranks 62nd on NFL All-Time Receptions List (593).
Ranks 49th on NFL All-Time Receiving Yards List (9,065).
The war and all my service-connected problems did me one good turn. When,I came out I was pretty humble. I had been chopped down to size.
