Versatile vocalist whose strong voice was reminiscent of Tom Jones, and he was known for his covers of Johnny Mathis. Through his career he sang everything from pop to rock to soul. His early groups included the Rockabillies, Little Jimmy & the Tops, Galaxies, Del Vinos, Arcades, Combonaires, Crystals, Highlights, and a stint with a house band at Les Gals strip club on Mt. Royal Avenue where he shared the stage with Dizzy Gillespie.
In 1964 at the age of 21, he was hired by Mike Athis and George Mahalis to be the house vocalist for the new Club Venus, a venue that featured nationally known acts. He started singing with the Admirals as the dance band between the big shows and recalled that “the Admirals were a professional bunch of good players and it was an honor singing with them at The Venus, and at Frostburg State College in Allegheny County.” After the Admirals left the Venus, Marty took over the house emcee slot vacated by Tom Berry (Admirals leader and bassist). He announced, worked the house light show, and sang for the Harry Grey Band (the new house band). During this time Marty witnessed performances by all the national recording acts. He met and worked with Jerry Vale, Jack Jones, Mamie Van Duren, Flip Wilson, and many other great entertainers.
During parts of the ‘60s-70s Marty led a solo career managed by Ben Macks. Marty assembled a group featuring Wayne Hudson (drums –Buddy Norman group, Zim Zemarel Orch), Paul Dejulius (alto sax ex-Joyriders), Dave Zappardino (bass ex-Doc & the Medics), and a guitarist (name forgotten) that played as house band at the Mardi Gras for 6 months until the club folded. Later “…Agent Bill Engle booked me at the Miss World Pageant at the Civic Center on September 20, 1969. I sang the National Anthem to open the show and then “Born Free,” “Delilah,” and “Tara’s Theme” in front of about 20,000 people.”
Next Marty worked regularly doing the floor show at the Golden Horn backed with the Teddy Bell Trio, consisting of Bell (sax), Dottie Tim (piano), and Bill Mojica (drums).
In 1970 Marty took time off to write original music. Macks took him to A&R Studios in New York. With a full 28-piece studio band he recorded four tracks (each done in one take). “Whirlpool” and “What Am I Gonna Do” were released on Macks’ ‘Sir Ben’ record label. Other studio work included recordings of the Jim Webb composition “Didn’t We,” and other songs “There but For the Grace of God Go I,” and “Living” (a song that session guitarist Barney Kessel noted as a hit record). The song “Didn’t We” was later issued as the flip of “The Devil Made Me Do It.” Thompson and Mack shad disagreements and parted ways soon after the recordings.
Photos courtesy of Marty Thompson
“What Am I Gonna Do” received some airplay in NY and Philadelphia, and Marty performed his songs on TV’s Joe Franklin Show in New York, and the Kerby Scott Show in Baltimore.
After a six-month stint with a NY band called Near Future, Thompson returned to Baltimore. He went on to work with local groups including the Mickey McCleary Trio, Dryed Ice, U.S. Male, Roadhouse Revue, Harbor City, Hot Property, Diamond Gear, Three for A Dollar, then worked for a time as a solo backing himself with a keyboard and drum synthesizer. In the interim he turned down an offer to join the Village People, and an offer to record for Castle Records in Nashville.
Marty retired from music to focus on his family business. He enjoyed the continuing popularity of his record by enthusiastic collectors in the U.S. and Europe.
196* Sir Ben 1 Whirlpool / What Am I Gonna Do
