Marty Robbins, a name synonymous with country music, was not just a singer; he was a storyteller, a musician, and a cultural icon. Born Martin David Robinson on September 26, 1925, in Glendale, Arizona, Robbins' life was a captivating journey filled with music, perseverance, and remarkable achievements. His career, spanning several decades, saw him rise to fame with memorable hits and a unique blend of country and western music that resonated with audiences worldwide.
Who Was Marty Robbins?
Marty Robbins was an iconic country and western singer. He taught himself how to play guitar while serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war's end, Robbins started performing in clubs in and near Phoenix, Arizona. By the end of the 1940s, he had his local radio and television programs. In 1951, Robbins signed with Columbia Records. He had his first No. 1 country song in 1956 with "Singing the Blues." In 1959, Robbins released one of his signature songs, "El Paso," for which he won a Grammy Award. Later hits include "My Woman, My Woman, My Wife" and "Among My Souvenirs."
Early Life
Country music legend Marty Robbins was born Martin David Robinson on September 26, 1925, in Glendale, Arizona. One of nine children, he grew up around music. His father was an amateur harmonica player, while his grandfather, a traveling salesman and first-rate storyteller, profoundly influenced Robbins. He fondly recalled, "His name was 'Texas' Bob Heckle. He had two little books of poetry he would sell. I used to sing him church songs and he would tell me stories. A lot of the songs I’ve written were brought about because of stories he told me. Like ‘Big Iron’ I wrote because he was a Texas Ranger. At least he told me he was."
As a boy, Robbins was also inspired by Western movies. He was especially taken with Gene Autry, the original "Singing Cowboy." Robbins worked in the cotton fields before school to save money to see each new Autry film. He remembered sitting in the front row of those pictures, saying, "I wanted to be the cowboy singer, simply because Autry was my favorite singer. No one else inspired me."
Robbins's parents divorced when he was 12 years old, leading him and his eight siblings to move with their mother to Phoenix. After dropping out of high school, Robbins and one of his brothers spent some time herding goats and breaking wild horses in the Bradshaw Mountains outside Phoenix. In 1943, Robbins enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the Pacific during World War II. His wartime travels marked the first time he went beyond the borders of Arizona, participating in the campaign to recapture the island of Bougainville from Japanese forces.
During his time in the Navy, Robbins made his first sustained efforts at songwriting. He taught himself to play the guitar during his free time. When he returned to Phoenix in 1946, he was determined to pursue a career in show business.
Radio Star
Robbins got his start singing with local bands in bars and nightclubs around the Phoenix area, particularly at a local club named Fred Kares. To support himself, he worked construction jobs. One day, while driving a brick truck, he heard a country singer on the local radio station KPHO and became convinced that he could do better. He drove down to the station and earned a place on the show.
By the end of the 1940s, Robbins had his own radio program called Chuck Wagon Time as well as a local TV show, Western Caravan. He landed a deal with Columbia Records in 1951 after a talent scout saw him working in the studio on Western Caravan. The next year, Robbins released his first single, "Love Me or Leave Me Alone." This effort wasn't a major hit, but he soon scored his first Top 10 single with his 1953 song "I'll Go on Alone," followed by another hit months later with "I Couldn't Keep from Crying."
During this period, Robbins was invited to become a regular member of the Grand Ole Opry, the nation's most popular country radio show, which was broadcast live weekly from Nashville, Tennessee. Over the next 25 years, Robbins became a staple of the Grand Ole Opry cast, performing alongside other country music legends like Chet Atkins, Mother Maybelle, and the Carter Sisters.
Mainstream Success
Robbins's first No. 1 single on the country charts was the 1956 hit "Singing the Blues." He followed this with two more No. 1 songs in 1957, "A White Sport Coat" and "The Story of My Life." That same year, Robbins also enjoyed significant hits like "Knee Deep in the Blues" and "Please Don't Blame Me." Before long, Robbins was firmly established as a rising country star.
In 1959, Robbins released an album called Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs. This record featured two of his most popular songs: "El Paso" and "Big Iron." "El Paso" won the Grammy Award for Best Country and Western Recording. With his big, resonant voice and flair for storytelling, Robbins churned out chart-topping songs through the 1960s. His most famous tracks from this era include "Devil Woman," "Beggin' to You," "The Cowboy in the Continental Suit," "Ruby Ann," and "Ribbon of Darkness."
Meanwhile, Robbins indulged a lifelong passion for auto racing. He began racing stock cars on small dirt tracks in the early 1960s and progressed to the NASCAR Grand National division by the end of the decade, competing with racing legends like Richard Petty and Cale Yarbrough.
Despite suffering a major heart attack near the end of the 1960s, Robbins's health issues did not sideline him for long. By the end of 1969, he achieved a significant comeback with the ballad "My Woman, My Woman, My Wife," which earned him his second Grammy Award.
Robbins continued to race in NASCAR, enduring several near-fatal crashes. Notably, he swerved into a concrete wall at 145 mph to avoid colliding with a fellow racer's stalled car, showcasing both his fearlessness and compassion. During this period, Robbins continued to release music, with notable 1970s hits including "Jolie Girl," "El Paso City," "Among My Souvenirs," and "I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)."
Death and Legacy
In October 1982, Robbins was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Despite his declining health, he managed to release one last single that year, titled "Some Memories Won't Die," before passing away. He suffered his third serious heart attack in early December, and despite undergoing surgery, Robbins died on December 8, 1982, in a Nashville hospital at the age of 57. He was survived by his wife, Marizona, whom he married in 1948, and their two children.
Robbins's career remains one of the most illustrious in the history of country music. He recorded over 500 songs and 60 albums, winning two Grammy Awards. For 19 consecutive years, Robbins placed at least one song on the Billboard country singles charts. Remarkably, he attributed his success to hard work and creativity, stating in an interview near the end of his life, "I’m not a real good musician, but I can write [a song] pretty well. I find out the best I can do is stay with ballads."
Quick Facts
- Name: Marty Robbins
- Birth Year: 1925
- Birth Date: September 26, 1925
- Birth State: Arizona
- Birth City: Glendale
- Birth Country: United States
- Gender: Male
- Best Known For: Hits such as "El Paso," "My Woman, My Woman, My Wife," and "Among My Souvenirs."
- Industries: Country
- Astrological Sign: Libra
- Death Year: 1982
- Death Date: December 8, 1982
- Death State: Tennessee
- Death City: Nashville
- Death Country: United States
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