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Posts Tagged ‘Fred Astaire’

Died On This Date (July 27, 2012) Tony Martin / Popular American Actor & Singer; Career Spanned 76 Years

Posted by themusicsover on July 27, 2012

Tony Martin (Born Alvin Morris)
December 25, 1913 – July 27, 2012

Photo by Richi Howell

Tony Martin was a beloved American actor and singer who, over a career that ran from 1933 until his retirement in 2009 appeared in over two dozen films and released some 45 hit records.  On par with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, Martin built a sizable – mostly female – following thanks to his warm baritone croon.  Martin was just 10 when he was given a saxophone by his grandmother, and when he got into high school, he formed his first band.  He soon joined a local orchestra where he performed alongside future jazz legend, Woody Herman.    After graduating from college, Martin moved to Hollywood where he set his sights on acting.  Over the next several years, he worked in films with the likes of Fred Astaire and the Marx Brothers.  During the late ’30s and  early ’40s, Martin made numerous records for Decca and later recorded for Mercury.  His hits included “I Hadn’t Anyone Till You,” “It’s A Blue World,” and “I Get Ideas.”  After WWII, Martin hosted his own variety show for NBC and went on to star in many popular musicals of the day.  In 1948, he married actress Cyd Charisse with whom he stayed until her passing in 2008 – 60 years.  Tony Martin retired after 76 years in show business in 2009,  and died of natural causes on July 27, 2012.  He was 98.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.

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Tony Martin

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Died On This Date (July 16, 2008) Jo Stafford / American Vocalist

Posted by themusicsover on July 16, 2010

Jo Stafford
November 12, 1917 – July 16, 2008

Jo Stafford was one of America’s greatest voices over a career that spanned some forty years.  Stafford’s first job of note was singing back-up on Fred Astaire’s soundtrack to A Damsel In Distress.  Stafford soon joined the vocal group, the Pied Pipers whose popularity grew thanks in part, to their regular appearances on Tommy Dorsey’s radio program.   Besides backing Frank Sinatra on several of his early records, the Pied Pipers were one of the first acts signed to Capitol Records.  Over the course of her long career, Stafford recorded numerous hits including “You Belong To Me,” “The Trolley Song” and “Say Something Sweet To Your Sweetheart” (with Gordon MacRae).  Jo Stafford died of congestive heart failure at the age of 90.

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Capitol Collectors Series: Jo Stafford - Jo Stafford

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