Moon Martin

October 31, 1945 – May 11, 2020

Oklahoma-born singer-songwriter John David Martin was awarded his nickname ‘Moon’ due to so many of his compositions including the word ‘moon’ in the lyrics. He began his career as part of a rockabilly band called The Disciples. Having relocated to Los Angeles with the group Southwind, for a very short time Martin was a backing musician for Linda Ronstadt, and it was even reported that he had declined a chance to join the fledgling Eagles. He shared stages with big names including Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix in the 60s, before riding the power-pop wave during the following decade.

Martin wrote his best-known song, Bad Case Of Loving You, which was made famous by Robert Palmer, while driving a van for a floral delivery service. In 1977, Mink DeVille scored a hit with a version of his song Cadillac Walk.

During the new wave era, Martin notched two US Top 50 hits of his own with Rolene and No Chance, and in 1982 Palmer repaid the favour by helping to produce the album Mystery Ticket, which included the MTV favourite X-Ray Vision.

Martin was 69 years old at the time of his death, which was attributed to natural causes.