Bobbi Martin (a more accurate, descriptive biography of the Pride of Baltimore)

  Barbara Ann "Bobbi" Martin was born in Brooklyn, New York on November 29, 1938. As a girl, she was raised in Baltimore, Maryland where her grandparents lived. Her mother Virginia was in the military and her father was unknown. Bobbi would visit her mother in Oslo, Minnesota, where her stepfather also lived, but she only sometimes “lived” there. She mainly stayed in Baltimore where she was discovered by a man named Kahn and sang at  night for $10. 

 The printed birth year of 1943 served as her "stage" age. 

 Bobbi began her career around Baltimore venues and in 1960 with the release of (Ay, Ay, Ay) I'll Wait Forever/ Is It True (What They Say About Al) on Maypole in Canada. The record did well enough to get some airplay in Canada and a year later Bobbi was discovered by manager Miriam Love. Miriam brought her to the attention of A&R director of Coral Records, Henry Jerome where she was signed to a contract. Four years of frustration plagued Bobbi as she tried for a hit. Miriam and Henry were married and teamed up to help Bobbi Martin become a successful singer. 

 Bobbi would perform at fairgrounds and clubs. Her first single in March 1961, "Cry, Cry, Cry/ I Need Your Love (written by Bobbi) was a dud, but fellow singer Joanie Sommers asked her if she could record the song for her album, "Johnny Get Angry." Bobbi gave her the song gladly. Several failed singles followed including a female version of Wooden Heart with German recitation and a cover of “I'll Never Stop Loving You,” discovered by a young fan, Dennis. 

 Bobbi was down to her last shot with "Don't Forget I Still Love You," recorded earlier in 1963 and arranged by the famous Owen Bradley. Bobbi's friend Dennis went around Pittsburgh eagerly asking his local DJ to play the song. "It's her last shot." Dennis said. It worked. Bobbi broke first in Pittsburgh was the advertisement and "Don't Forget" went to #19 in the billboard hot 100 in late '64/ early '65. It was also #2 easy listening.

 Bobbi finally was given a chance to record her debut album, “Don't Forget I Still Love You,” produced by Henry Jerome and arranged by Owen Bradley. She had made a new friend in Dennis as well and within the year would ask for his help in picking a “teen market” song to record.  

 By now, Bobbi was working in nightclubs throughout the country and making appearances on the Jackie Gleason show. Cashbox magazine had voted her Most Promising Female Vocalist of 1965. Her follow up single "I Can't Stop Thinking of You," was similar in vain and reached #46 billboard / #9 AC (adult contemporary.) The B-side "A Million Thanks to You," was a hit for Pilita Corralis of the Philippians. The following "I Love You So," written by producer Henry reached #70 on the hot 100 / #16 AC. This continued success resulted in Bobbi's second album, "I Love You So," featuring many standards like "One for My Baby," a song that would bring the house down when she sang it in the clubs. 

  "Holding Back the Tears," was a power number released and arranged once again by Owen Bradley, but DJs had flipped the record over to "I Don't Want to Live w/o Your Love," which bubbled under at #115 /#21 easy listening. "There Are No Rules," only went to #29 easy listening. Radio disk jokes with her new success began calling her the pride of Baltimore when they would introduce her records.  

 In late '65 Bobbi went into the Decca Pythin Temple studio in New York to record her big teen market single, "Don't Take It Out on Me." Bobbi said it was the best song she had ever recorded up to that time. The sound was perfect, and it was sure to break the top 40. Unfortunately, many top 40 DJs were used to Bobbi Martin singing easy adult songs and passed up, not knowing Bobbi was trying to break into the teen sound.  Dennis said, “if only there was a sleeve saying she was going into the teen market." 

 "Don't Take It Out on Me," was given a chance in local big cities such as Detroit and Washington D.C. which resulted in a small national bubbling under at #119 billboard / #93 in cashbox. Bobbi was about at her wits ends with Coral Records. "Oh, Lonesome Me," in October 1966 reached #64 country. Also, "It's a Sin to Tell a Lie, "An old ink spots cover failed to chart.  

 Henry Jerome left Coral Records for United Artists in 1967 and with him he brought Bobbi Martin. It was a chance for Bobbi to continue recording but to her frustration failed singles lay ahead, many covers of old tunes which annoyed Bobbi. Bobbi was the first singer to be given "Harper Valley PTA." in April 1968. When her version was failing to chart, only reaching #114, Henry released "I Love Him," a song written by Les Reed. Once again, Bobbi had a golden ring, but the company United Artists had waited too long after Harper Valley PTA to release this one and it went completely unnoticed. 

 Bobbi had also done her first album on United Artists, respectfully titled "Harper Valley PTA." The next album country, "For the Love of Him," was a flop and so was the single, until it was discovered by a Philadelphia DJ. Once again, Pennsylvania had saved Bobbi. Bobbi was rushed into the studio to record yet another album, "With Love." This time with adult contemporary material, instead of country. 

 Bobbi had her biggest smash with "For the Love of Him," #13 billboard / #1 Adult Contemporary. She had also written the song herself!  On bandstand, Bobbi sang her hit and also introduced her follow up, "Give a Woman Love," #97 billboard / #17 AC. Bobbi Martin was bigger than ever. She was making several appearances on the Tonight and Dean Martin show. She was getting interested in musical comedy and doing many skits with Dean Martin. She was an overwhelmingly popular draw in the nightclubs of Las Vegas, Miami Beach, and Puerto Rico. 

 Bobbi drew upon those influences when she moved to Buddha records and recorded the Latin flavored, "Devotion." The whole album "Tomorrow," was a hip experience for Bobbi. She was having fun with this release, but it was her last one. Bobbi would struggle with her voice but continue singing throughout the 70's and 80's. From then on, she was mostly singing for small venues and had even gotten into real estate. 

 The beautiful Bobbi Martin died on May 2, 2000, at the age of 61, following a battle with cancer. She was often known as The Pride of Baltimore and is an overall big talent. 

More info on Bobbi can be found in the newspaper article, “A catch in her throat, a song in her heart.” Written in 1989 or in the Baltimore Sun newspaper.