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Martha Johnson (singer)

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Martha Johnson
Martha Johnson photo by Mark Gane taken at the Brickworks, Toronto 2013.
Martha Johnson photo by Mark Gane taken at the Brickworks, Toronto 2013.
Background information
GenresNew wave, pop
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Vocals, keyboards
Years active1977-present
Websitehttp://www.marthaandthemuffins.com

Martha Johnson (born December 18, 1950 in Toronto, Ontario) is a Canadian pop singer and songwriter, best known as the vocalist for the 1980s new wave band Martha and the Muffins. She also released a solo children's album, Songs from the Treehouse, in 1997, for which she won the Juno Award for Best Children's Album at the Juno Awards of 1997. She is married to her Martha and the Muffins bandmate, Mark Gane.

Professional Career

Prior to Martha and The Muffins, Martha was in three bands. Marzipan, Oh Those Pants, and The Doncasters. According to Martha, Marzipan lasted "about a week" and was formed with her Secondary School friends. Although not together long, they did manage to record a Martha Johnson original, Baby Please Come Home. Martha joined Oh Those Pants after they had formed. This was a "cover's band" and, according to Martha she was the only woman in the band with "nine or ten guys." Everyone had stage names, Martha's name was Cerise Sauvage which she got from a Jello package. She provided backing vocals and played the Ace Tone organ. Because she had her own Ace Tone and could play it, she was able to have solos in songs such as ''Palisades Park''. Finally, prior to the creation of Martha and The Muffins, Mart moved to the band The Doncasters. This band featured her brother, Donald Johnson. Although short lived, and another 'covers band', what makes this band important is that Martha had the opportunity to be lead singer. The name, by the way, comes from a street name in Thornhill, Ontario.

Following the release of 1992's Modern Lullaby, Mark Gane and Martha Johnson put Martha and The Muffins on hiatus. Being the last two original members, it gave them the opportunity to pursue solo interests and spend time with their daughter. Although they each explored solo projects, the two continued to work together. For example, Mark Gane, played on and co-produced Martha's first solo album Songs From The Tree House. Recording for the album actually started in 1991 and finished in 1994. When Songs From The Treet House was released in 1995 it was credited simply as 'Martha'. Rather than siging to another record label (the band had been signed to three record deals in their career), Martha (and Mark Gane) decided to form Muffin Music, a publishing company and label to release their music. Songs From The Tree House was the first release on Muffin Music. The album was extremely well received, and as noted won the Juno Award for Best Children's Album at the Juno Awards of 1997. Martha (and Mark Gane also performed several shows during this time and following the release of the album in support of it. These shows, as well as well as the CD were embraced by Parents' Groups, libraries and schools.

The success of the CD introduced her to a world of children's entertainment, and Martha appeared on Canada's children's network, Treehouse (not releated to the album), which resulted in martha preparing an exclusive video and song for the popular television show '''Ants in Your Pants'''. Martha also appears on the CD of the same name, which highlighted the more popular songs from that television show.


In 2001 Johnson was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, but continues to perform and has used this platform to raise awareness in her shows.[1] In 2013 Johnson announced plans to record a project called "Solo One" with a portion of the proceeds going to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.[2]

Discography

(see also Martha and the Muffins)


1995 -- Songs From The Treehouse (credited as Martha) (Muffin Music)

2013 -- Solo One (Muffin Music)


Guest Appearances


1982 -- Gerry Cott - Ballad of the Lone Ranger (single) (Backing vocals by Martha Johnson) (Epic)

1985 -- Northern Lights - ''Tears Are Not Enough'' (single) (featuring vocals by Martha Johnson) (Columbia)

1985 -- We Are The World (LP) (inlcudes Tears Are Not Enough) (Columbia)

1996 -- Jack Grunsky - Jumpin' Jack (features Home Made Cooking and Iko Iko, backing vocals by Martha Johnson) (BMG)

1996 -- Schoolyard Jam (features My Little Sister by Martha Johnson and The Fox, C'est L'Aviron, featuring Martha Johnson on vocals) (Prologue)

1999 -- Ants In Your Pants (CD) (includes If I Were Not A Little Kid, credited to Martha) (ZepLenz)

2000 -- Love Starts With The Children (CD) (includes Santa's Gift of Love by Martha Johnson) (Wellcraft Music Group)

2002 -- Select Cuts From Echo Beach (features vocals by Martha Johnson) (Select Cuts)

2006 -- Heyday! (Film) featuring Let Go by Martha Johnson

2010 -- La Bella Stella (features Shooting Stars by Martha Johnson) (Recess Music)

References

  1. ^ "Martha and the Muffins back after 18 years" from CBC (February 2, 2010)
  2. ^ "Martha Johnson of Martha and the Muffins is making her first solo album - come be a part of it!". Her New Album, 'Solo One'. Pledge Music. Retrieved May 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

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