Martha Johnson (singer) explained

Martha Johnson
Background:solo_singer
Birth Date:18 December 1950
Birth Place:Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Occupation:Musician
Years Active:1977–present
Associated Acts:Martha and the Muffins

Martha Johnson (born December 18, 1950) is a Canadian rock singer, keyboardist, and songwriter. She is best known as the vocalist of the 1980s rock band Martha and the Muffins.

Early life

Johnson was born on December 18, 1950, in Toronto, Ontario.

Career

Johnson worked in Toronto as a medical receptionist.[1] She started her career playing the organ with cover band "Oh Those Pants". She then was part of Toronto band the Doncasters in the early 1970s.[2] Johnson joined David Millar, Mark and Tim Gane, and Carl Finkle to form the band Martha and the Muffins in 1977.[3] The band, later known as M + M, released an international hit single with "Echo Beach", with Johnson as lead singer.[4] In 1985, she and her husband and bandmate Mark Gane were presented with a CASBY award for their production work with the group.[5]

Johnson also released Songs from the Treehouse, a solo children's album, in 1997 for which she won the Juno Award for Best Children's Album at the Juno Awards of 1997.[6]

In 2001, Johnson was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, but continues to perform and to raise awareness in her shows.[7] In 2013, Johnson recorded an album called Solo One with a portion of the proceeds going to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.[8]

In 2016, Johnson participated in the Rock Steady boxing program, which promotes fitness for those living with Parkinson's disease.[9]

In 2022, Johnson provided a pop cultural recommendation in an article appearing in Toronto Life. She recommended watching Ricky Gervais' After Life television series on Netflix.[10]

Discography

Solo albums

Guest appearances

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/a-miracle-for-martha-and-the-muffins/article1208009/ " A miracle for Martha and the Muffins"
  2. Book: Colin Larkin. The Encyclopedia of Popular Music: Kollington – Morphine. 2006. MUZE. 978-0-19-531373-4. 525.
  3. Book: Ira Robbins. The New Music Record Guide. January 1, 1987. Omnibus Press. 978-0-7119-1115-4. 92.
  4. Book: Steve Binnie. Feeling Like a Number One. January 8, 2016. Lulu.com. 978-1-326-52514-9. 56–.
  5. Kirk LaPointe. CASBY Awards: The people speak. Billboard. May 11, 1985. 74–. 0006-2510.
  6. https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2021/10/30/martha-and-the-muffins-fresh-batch-almost-ready-but-in-the-meantime-their-anthology-lets-them-look-back.html "Martha and the Muffins’ fresh batch almost ready — but in the meantime, their anthology lets them look back"
  7. http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/music/story/2010/02/02/martha-muffins.html "Martha and the Muffins back after 18 years"
  8. http://www.cbc.ca/freshair/2013/08/ "Fresh Air"
  9. https://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2016/06/20/rock-steady-boxing-takes-jab-at-parkinsons-disease.html "Rock Steady Boxing takes jab at Parkinson's disease"
  10. https://torontolife.com/culture/what-notable-torontonians-are-watching-reading-and-listening-to-this-month/ "What notable Torontonians are watching, reading and listening to this month"

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