Here’s something in memory of old-time crooner Tony Martin, who died on Friday. Martin had a long list of hits you might know of, including “There’s No Tomorrow,” “I Hadn’t Anyone Till You,” “I Get Ideas,” “Kiss of Fire” and “It’s Magic.”
He was one of the few male pop singers of his day whose style was not at all influenced by Sinatra. That’s because his career predated Sinatra’s. The Times, in its obit, said: “In the 1940s Mr. Martin was to popular song what Fred Astaire was to dance.” That is to say, smooth and elegant.
This song is from the 1953 musical Kismet. — CL
When I was a little kid, my parents took me into New York City. I have a memory of my mother, who knew all about the musical stars, spotting two celebrities. It was Cyd Charisse, the dancer, and her husband Tony Martin. Cyd was inside a phone booth making a call, while Tony was hanging around outside. Mom asked me to get his autograph, so I went over, and he was very kind.
Ever since then, I have known how to spell Cyd Charisse and that she was married to Tony Martin. They stayed married for 60 years until her death in 2008.
I liked Tony Martin because he was Jewish like other handsome celebrities: Paul Newman, Tony Curtis, Sammy Davis, Jr., Don Rickles and me.
As a kid, I liked his song “I Get Ideas.” But I didn’t exactly get the lyrics: “When we are dancing and you’re dangerously near me, I get ideas….”