portrait of this blog's author - by Stephen Blackman 2008

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

MARY MARTIN | From the Chronicles of Dylan and Van Morrison | A music iconoclast dies

 


"I just saw the NY Times obituary for Mary Martin, who died at age 85: "Turned unknown acts into musical legends" and "A Grammy winner who introduced Bob Dylan to the Band


I forgot that Bob mentioned her in Chronicles, how she was relentless in getting Bob to hire the Hawks as the polished band he needed (she was not impressed with his backing at the '65 Newport Folk Festival).


And I learned some new things in the obituary. That Mary lost to Bob in a swimming race up in Woodstock, and as consolation, Albert Grossman gave her his cat, "Lord Growing" --the same cat Bob holds on the cover of "Bringing It All Back Home.


She also signed Van Morrison and guided him to "Moondance."

The NY Times obit is behind a pay-wall, there are others  . . . . 


Billboard Obituary for Martin by John Naslen


Mary Martin Music Catalyst of Giants - Mike Daley Music







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