Martha Tilton was a renowned vocalist of the Big Band Era, affectionately known as the "Liltin' Miss Martha Tilton." Born on November 14, 1915, in Texas, she was the fortunate offspring of a musical family, where her parents actively played the piano and sang at home throughout her childhood.
As a young girl, Martha's family relocated to Los Angeles when she was just seven months old. Her naturally gifted voice soon led her to begin as an unpaid teenager singer on local radio stations. However, it wasn't long before she attracted an agent and started securing paid bookings at notable venues such as the Coconut Grove with Al Lippan's band.
Martha eventually joined forces with singer Jo Stafford and others to form a swing chorus for Benny Goodman on his radio show. She soon became Goodman's lead vocalist after his former girl singer parted ways, and hit the big time with the iconic song "And the Angels Sing." Martha stayed with Goodman for over three years, recording, performing one-nighters, and singing on the airwaves.
In 1942, Martha became one of the first artists to record for Capitol Records, remaining with the company until 1949. During the war years, she also appeared in a handful of movies, including prominent roles in Swing Hostess (1944) and Crime, Inc. (1945). Her movie appearances usually featured her as a specialty singer, as opposed to incorporating her into the plot.
Some of her notable movie songs included lovely renditions of "Let's Capture That Moment," "What a Fool I Was," "I'm Guilty," and "Say It With Love." In later years, Martha earned her own radio programs, including "Liltin' Martha Tilton Time," and proceeded solidly into the 1950s, often finding TV singing work to supplement her income.
Some of her bigger recording hits included "How Are Things in Glocca Mora," "Time After Time," "I Should Care," "A Stranger in Town," and "I'll Walk Alone." Martha married an aerospace executive in 1953, yet continued her career and appeared as a guest vocalist in the Goodman biopic The Benny Goodman Story (1956) starring Steve Allen, reprising her solid hit "And the Angels Sing."
Within a few years, Martha retired permanently to raise her three children.
