28 Facts About Marty Robbins

Martin David Robinson, known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and NASCAR racing driver.

Marty Robbins was a commercial success in both the country and pop genres, and his songs were covered by many other famous artists, including Johnny Cash, the Grateful Dead, and Elvis Presley.

Marty Robbins was born Martin David Robinson on September 26,1925, in Glendale, a suburb of Phoenix in Maricopa County.

Marty Robbins dropped out of high school in Glendale before his time in the Navy, and worked as an amateur boxer, dug ditches, drove trucks, delivered ice, and served as a mechanic's helper.

At 17, Marty Robbins left home to serve in the US Navy as an LCT coxswain during World War II.

Marty Robbins was stationed in the Solomon Islands in the Pacific theater.

Marty Robbins became known for his appearances at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

Marty Robbins was a symbol of the Nashville establishment that younger country fans abandoned in the Seventies for the bleached-denim "outlaw school" of Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.

Marty Robbins belonged to the Jim Reeves era, and wore his embroidered cowboy suits proudly.

In 1980, Marty Robbins appeared on the PBS music program Austin City Limits.

In 1967, Marty Robbins played himself in the car-racing film Hell on Wheels.

Marty Robbins was partial to Dodges prepared by NASCAR Hall-of-Famer Cotton Owens, and owned and raced Chargers and then a 1978 Dodge Magnum.

Marty Robbins was the driver of the 60th Indianapolis 500 Buick Century pace car in 1976.

In 1948, Marty Robbins married Marizona Baldwin, who claimed she had always wanted to marry a singing cowboy.

Marty Robbins developed cardiovascular disease early in life, and suffered a first myocardial infarction in 1969.

Marty Robbins's 1957 recording of "A White Sport Coat and a Pink Carnation" sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold record.

Also in 1961, Marty Robbins wrote the words and music and recorded "I Told the Brook", a ballad later recorded by Billy Thorpe.

Marty Robbins was named Artist of the Decade by the Academy of Country Music, was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1982, was given three awards at the 17th Annual Music City News Country Awards in 1983, and was given a Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1998 for "El Paso".

Marty Robbins was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1975.

Marty Robbins has been honored by many bands, including the Grateful Dead, who covered "El Paso" and Bob Weir and Kingfish, who covered "Big Iron".

Marty Robbins held Robbins in high esteem, having him guest-star several times on his network TV show.

Marty Robbins was awarded an honorary degree by Northern Arizona University.

Marty Robbins was named Man of the Decade by the Academy of Country Music in 1970.

Marty Robbins supported Barry Goldwater in his 1964 United States presidential election campaign as a southern director for "Stars for Barry".

Marty Robbins always tried to run at the big racetracks every year and a smattering of the smaller races when time permitted.

Marty Robbins had six top-10 finishes in his career, with a personal best top-five finish at the 1974 Motor State 360 in Michigan.

Marty Robbins' final NASCAR race car was a 1981 Buick Regal that he rented and drove in a few races in 1981 and 1982.

Marty Robbins is credited with possibly saving Richard Childress' life at the 1974 Charlotte 500 by deliberately crashing into a wall rather than T-bone Childress's car that was stopped across the track.