Listen to Martha Tilton online free at Last.fm.
Stage Name: Martha Tilton
Birth Name: Martha Ellen Tilton
Occupation: Big Band Lead Singer / Stage Entertainer / Radio Personality / Movie Actress / Pinup Model
Years Active: 1937-1955
Notable Works: Martha Tilton enjoyed her greatest renown during her two-year stint with the Benny Goodman Orchestra. Featured on Goodman's smash rendition of the swing-era classic "And the Angels Sing," she was also the first non-classical vocalist to perform at Carnegie Hall.
Date/Place Birth: November 14, 1915, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.A.
Date/Death/Cause: Martha Tilton died of natural causes at her Brentwood, CA, home on December 8, 2006; she was 91 years old. She is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, California, U.S.A.
Spouse(s) & Children: Marriage to Dave Thomas World War II flying ace and aerospace executive in 1953 ended in diveorce as did and second marriage to former Goodman manager Leonard Vannerson. Survivors include her third husband, James L. Brooks of Los Angeles; a son from her second marriage; a daughter from her third marriage; and five grandchildren.
Short Biography: Martha Tilton a glamorous popular blond singer of the big-band era often introduced as "Liltin' Miss Tilton" for her easy-mannered staight forward vocals. She sang for the Benny Goodman for 1937 to 1939, recorded 80 plus songs and took part in his famous Carnegie Hall concert; she also sang with other famous bands including Jimmy Dorsey and Artie Shaw. After working with Goodman she continued a vibrant singing career as a solo artist for several more years. She appeared often on radio, went on USO tours and starred in two films for zero-budget PRC studios "Swing Hostess" and "Crime, Inc". She also dubbed the singing voices of major film stars, notably Barbara Stanwyck during Krupa's thrilling "Drum Boogie" routine in "Ball of Fire" (1941). The next year, Tilton was among the first artists signed by Capitol Records.