Marty Robbins

Martin David Robinson (September 26, 1925 – December 8, 1982), known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and NASCAR racing driver. Robbins was one of the most popular and successful country and western singers for most of his nearly four-decade career, which spanned from the late 1940s to the early 1980s. He was also an early outlaw country pioneer.

Born in Glendale, Arizona, Robbins taught himself guitar while serving in the United States Navy during World War II, and subsequently drew fame performing in clubs in and around his hometown. In 1952, he released his first No. 1 country song, "I'll Go On Alone". Four years later, he released his second No.1 hit “Singing the Blues”, and one year later, released two more No. 1 hits, "A White Sport Coat" and "The Story of My Life". In 1959, Robbins released his signature song, "El Paso", for which he won the Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording. The song began Robbins' association with western balladry, a style which would become a staple of his career. Later releases that drew critical acclaim include "Don't Worry", "Big Iron", “Devil Woman” and "Honkytonk Man", the last for which the 1982 Clint Eastwood film is named, and in which Robbins made his final appearance before his death.

Over the course of his career, Robbins recorded more than 500 songs and 60 albums, and won two Grammy Awards, was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and was named the 1960s Artist of the Decade by the Academy of Country Music. His songs "El Paso" and "Big Iron" were ranked by the Western Writers of America among the Top 100 Western songs of all time. Robbins was a commercial success in both the country and pop genres, and his songs were covered by many other famous artists, including Johnny Cash, the Grateful Dead and Elvis Presley. His music continues to have an influence in pop culture today, featuring prominently in several films, television shows and video games.

Birth and Death Data: Born September 26, 1925 (Glendale), Died December 8, 1981 (Nashville)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1971 - 1972

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, composer

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca NA 16809 6/14/1972 One of the ways Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16810 6/15/1972 This much a man Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16811 6/15/1972 Guess I'll just stand here looking dumb Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16812 6/15/1972 To get to you Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16813 6/15/1972 It finally happened Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16814 6/15/1972 The beginning of goodbye Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16879 8/16/1972 Eyes Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16880 8/16/1972 Making the most of a heartache Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16881 8/16/1971 You don't really know Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16882 8/16/1972 Overhurt and underloved Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16915 9/11/1972 Franklin, Tennessee Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16916 9/11/1972 Leaving is a whole lot harder Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16917 9/11/1972 Crawling on my knees Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16918 9/11/1972 Walking piece of heaven Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16919 9/19/1972 Funny face Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16920 9/19/1972 It's not love Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16921 9/19/1972 She's too good to be true Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 17003 12/27/1972 I did what I did for Maria Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 17004 12/27/1972 Las Vegas, Nevada Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 17005 12/27/1972 Pretend Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 17006 12/27/1972 Martha, oh Martha Marty Robbins vocalist  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Robbins, Marty," accessed April 17, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/208570.

Robbins, Marty. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 17, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/208570.

"Robbins, Marty." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 17 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/208570

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