Died On This Date (September 3, 2007) Janis Martin / Rockabilly’s “Female Elvis Presley”
themusicsover Janis Martin
March 23, 1940 – September 3, 2007
Janis Martin was a popular rockabilly performer who came to prominence during the 1950s. Because of her on-stage moves, she was often referred to as the Female Elvis Presley. An entertainer from a very early age, Martin began appearing on local radio programs while still in her mid teens, sometimes sharing the stage with the likes of Eddy Arnold, Hank Snow and Jim Reeves. Martin signed to RCA Records, who had recently signed Presley, when she was just 15. Her first record, “Will You Willyum,” quickly became a pop and country hit, leading to her getting booked on American Bandstand, The Today Show, The Tonight Show and The Grand Ol’ Opry. She released a string of hits including “My Boy Elvis” and “Let’s Elope Baby.” In 1958, RCA dropped Martin when they learned she had secretly married her boyfriend and gotten pregnant. In the early ’60s, Martin’s second husband forced her to leave the music business. She resurfaced during the rockabilly revival of the late ’70s, touring for adoring fans throughout Europe. Martin was introduced to a whole new generation of fans when she guested on Rosie Flores’ Rockabilly Philly album. Janis Martin died of cancer at a Durham, NC hospital. She was 67 years old.
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