Marty Robbins (1925–1982)
Martin David Robinson, known as Marty Robbins, was one of country music’s most versatile and enduring stars. Born in Glendale, Arizona, he grew up in a poor family influenced by cowboy tales and Western films. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he taught himself guitar and began performing in Arizona clubs.
By the late 1940s, he hosted local radio and TV shows, leading to a Columbia Records contract in 1951. Robbins blended country, Western, rockabilly, Hawaiian, and pop styles. His breakthrough came with “I’ll Go On Alone” (1952), but he achieved crossover fame with “Singing the Blues” (1956).
His signature song, the epic Western ballad “El Paso” (1959), topped the pop and country charts, won a Grammy, and became a storytelling classic. Hits like “Don’t Worry” (with early fuzz-tone guitar), “Devil Woman,” “Ruby Ann,” and “My Woman, My Woman, My Wife” (another Grammy winner in 1970) showcased his range. Robbins was a longtime Grand Ole Opry member, NASCAR racer, and actor in Western films.
Despite heart issues requiring multiple surgeries, he continued performing until his death from a heart attack in 1982 at age 57. Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, his narrative songs and smooth voice influenced generations in country and beyond