Tony Martin, the romantic crooner who sang "I Get Ideas" and "To Each His Own," among other hits, died Friday in his West Los Angeles home Friday, his friend Beverly Scott told the Associated Press.
Martin, who died of natural causes, was 98.
Martin's career spanned radio, TV and films and performed extensively for American troops during World War II.
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After the war, he wed actress and dancer Cyd Charrise in 1948 and they remained married for 60 years, until her death in 2008.
He was a featured vocalist on the George Burns and Gracie Allen radio program. On the show Allen frequently flirted with Tony, and often threatening to fire him.
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"The Tony Martin Show," a 15-minute variety program, aired on NBC from 1954 to 1956 prior to the evening newscast.
In films, he started with a number of bit parts -- he was in 10 films in 1936 alone -- before signing with 20th Century-Fox and then Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. He starred in a number of musicals including 1940's "Fools Rush In" and "To Each His Own" in 1942.
One of his most memorable film moments was in the 1954 musical "Deep in My Heart," in which he sang "Lover Come Back to Me" with Joan Weldon.
During a recording career that spanned four decades, Martin worked for Decca, Mercury, RCA Victor and Motown. His biggest hits included "It's a Blue World" in 1939, "To Each His Own" in 1942 -- which was a million-seller and put Mercury on the map-- and "I Get Ideas" in 1950. In 1967, he had a hit with "And We Were Lovers," the theme from the movie "The Sandpebbles,"
He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II and was initially assigned to Capt. Glenn Miller's band. He was then promoted to the Air Transport Command and stationed in India, where he formed a troupe of amateur talent and performed at various bases.
Source: http://www.thewrap.com/music/article/tony-martin-i-get-ideas-crooner-dies-98-49911
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