Martha Tilton(1915-2006)
- Actress
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
She became a notable vocalist of the Big Band Era and known around the
circuit as the "Liltin' Miss Martha Tilton." Born on November 14, 1915,
this trim, Texas-born blonde was the fortunate product of a musical
family, with her parents actively playing the piano and singing at home
while she grew up. The family moved to Los Angeles when Martha was but
seven months old. With a naturally gifted voice, she began as an unpaid
teen singer on local radio but it wasn't long before she attracted an
agent and started getting paid bookings at such venues as the Coconut
Grove with Al Lippan's band.
Martha eventually joined singer Jo Stafford and others to form a swing
chorus for Benny Goodman on his radio show. She became Goodman's lead
vocalist after his former girl singer parted ways, and hit the big time
with the song "And the Angels Sing." She stayed with Goodman for over
three years recording, performing one-nighters and singing on the
airwaves. In 1942, Martha became one of the first artists to record for
Capitol Records, staying with the company until 1949. During the war
years she also appeared in a handful of movies and was prominently
featured in Swing Hostess (1944) and Crime, Inc. (1945). Other movies coming her way usually
featured her as a specialty singer as opposed to incorporating her into
the plot. Songs from some of those movies included lovely renditions of
"Let's Capture That Moment," "What a Fool I Was," "I'm Guilty" and "Say
It With Love."
In later years she earned her own radio programs ("Liltin' Martha
Tilton Time") and proceeded solidly into the 1950s, often finding TV
singing work to supplement her income. Some of her bigger recording
hits included "How Are Things in Glocca Mora," "Time After Time," "I
Should Care," "A Stranger in Town," and "I'll Walk Alone." Martha
married an aerospace executive in 1953, yet continued her career and
appeared as a guest vocalist in the Goodman biopic The Benny Goodman Story (1956) starring
Steve Allen reprising her solid hit "And the Angels Sing." Within a few
years she retired permanently to raise three children.
circuit as the "Liltin' Miss Martha Tilton." Born on November 14, 1915,
this trim, Texas-born blonde was the fortunate product of a musical
family, with her parents actively playing the piano and singing at home
while she grew up. The family moved to Los Angeles when Martha was but
seven months old. With a naturally gifted voice, she began as an unpaid
teen singer on local radio but it wasn't long before she attracted an
agent and started getting paid bookings at such venues as the Coconut
Grove with Al Lippan's band.
Martha eventually joined singer Jo Stafford and others to form a swing
chorus for Benny Goodman on his radio show. She became Goodman's lead
vocalist after his former girl singer parted ways, and hit the big time
with the song "And the Angels Sing." She stayed with Goodman for over
three years recording, performing one-nighters and singing on the
airwaves. In 1942, Martha became one of the first artists to record for
Capitol Records, staying with the company until 1949. During the war
years she also appeared in a handful of movies and was prominently
featured in Swing Hostess (1944) and Crime, Inc. (1945). Other movies coming her way usually
featured her as a specialty singer as opposed to incorporating her into
the plot. Songs from some of those movies included lovely renditions of
"Let's Capture That Moment," "What a Fool I Was," "I'm Guilty" and "Say
It With Love."
In later years she earned her own radio programs ("Liltin' Martha
Tilton Time") and proceeded solidly into the 1950s, often finding TV
singing work to supplement her income. Some of her bigger recording
hits included "How Are Things in Glocca Mora," "Time After Time," "I
Should Care," "A Stranger in Town," and "I'll Walk Alone." Martha
married an aerospace executive in 1953, yet continued her career and
appeared as a guest vocalist in the Goodman biopic The Benny Goodman Story (1956) starring
Steve Allen reprising her solid hit "And the Angels Sing." Within a few
years she retired permanently to raise three children.