John David "Moon" Martin (October 31, 1945 – May 11, 2020) was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.
Early years Born in Altus, Oklahoma, United States, he was originally a rockabilly artist as a member of the Oklahoma-based band The Disciples, who moved to Los Angeles and adopted the name Southwind in 1967. At this time, their style shifted towards country rock. Southwind released three studio albums before disbanding in 1971. They enjoyed moderate success, with two of their singles charting nationally: "Ready to Ride" (No. 127 in 1969) and "Boogie Woogie Country Girl" (No. 105 in 1970).
Peak of success Martin gained recognition in the 1970s as a pop artist and composer. He wrote the songs "Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)", made famous by the British singer Robert Palmer, and "Cadillac Walk", made famous by the American singer Willy DeVille.
Martin scored five minor hits of his own with "Rolene" (No. 30 US, No. 77 Australia, No. 30 Canada), "No Chance" (No. 50 US), both in 1979, "Signal for Help" (No. 60 Australia) in 1981, "X-Ray Vision", (No. 99) and "Aces With You" (No. 95) both in Australia in 1982. His 1982 song, "X-Ray Vision" was an MTV hit music video. He allegedly was given the nickname "Moon" because many of his songs had the word "moon" in the lyrics.Prato, Greg "Moon Martin Biography", AllMusic. Retrieved November 23, 2013
On October 31, 2022, Midnight Moon, a posthumous album, was released, only available on several music streaming services.
Death
Martin died on May 11, 2020, of natural causes in Encino, California, at the age of 74.
Discography Studio albums TitleDetailsPeak chart positionsUSCANAUSShots from a Cold NightmareReleased: 1978 Label: Capitol Records ———Escape from DominationReleased: 1979 Label: Capitol Records8067—Street FeverReleased: 1980 Label: Capitol Records138—63Mystery TicketReleased: 1982 Label: Capitol Records205——Mixed EmotionsReleased: 1985 Label: Capitol France———Dreams on FileReleased: 1992 Label: Fnac France———Cement MonkeyReleased: 1993 Label: CORE———Lunar SamplesReleased: 1995 Label: CORE———Louisiana Juke-BoxReleased: 1999 Label: Sonodisc France-Eagle UK———Midnight Moon (posthumous)Released: 2022 Label: Joanne Gough——— "—" denotes releases that did not chart. Live album Bad News Live (1993, Fnac France)
Compilation albums The Very Best Of (1999, EMI Sweden, 1978-1982) Shots from a Cold Nightmare + Escape from Domination (1995, EMI Special Markets, Demon Records) Street Fever + Mystery Ticket (1995, EMI Special Markets, Edsel Records)
Singles Year Single Peak chart positions Album US US AC USDance AUS1978"Victim of Romance" — — — —Shots from a Cold Nightmare"Bad Case of Lovin' You" — — — —"Hot Nite in Dallas" — — — —1979"Rolene" 30 — — 77Escape from Domination"No Chance" 50 36 — —"Dreamer" — — — —"I've Got a Reason" — — — —"Bootleg Woman" — — — —1980"Bad News" — — — —Street Fever"Signal for Help" — — — 60"Pushed Around" — — — —"Love Gone Bad" 105 — — —"Five Days of Fever" — — — —1982"X-Ray Vision" — — 67 99Mystery Ticket"Firing Line" — — — —"Aces with You" — — — 951985"Love Sniper" — — — —Mixed Emotions1992"Rock N' Roll Radio" — — — —Dreams On File1993"Never Could Say Goodbye" — — — —Cement Monkey1995"Enemy" — — — —Lunar Samples "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
References
External links Moon Martin at VH1