Martin David Robinson was born September 26, 1925 in a shack in the desert outside Glendale, Arizona. He was the sixth of nine children; born into poverty. When he was 17 he joined the Navy. He served aboard the USS Crescent City as part of Boat Pool #11, engaging in significant action across the Pacific. He contributed to the successful campaign to re-take the island of Bougainville from Japanese forces. Tasked with raising and lowering the ramp on a landing craft as they approached or left the beach, he frequently performed his duties under enemy fire. His unit was stationed at Cape Torokina for a period before spending 15 months in Nouméa. In 1945, while still in the Navy and singing; he decided to change his name to "Marty Robbins."
He also wrote YOU GAVE ME A MOUNTAIN which was recorded by Frankie Laine & Elvis Presley as well as sharing the stage on atleast one venue with Elvis in '55 and/or '56.
it s a lovely song and I immediately fell for it when I first heard it on the radio way back in December 1960 but this is pathetic - i only hope that i won t happen to go off it afetr seeing this
