GLENDALE, Ariz — In his day, Marty Robbins made a name for himself as one of the greatest singer-songwriters in the world of country western music. Today, he would have turned 99 years old.
Robbins was born right here in Glendale, Arizona on Sept. 26, 1925 and launched a prestigious musical career after serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He started with local venues and radio shows in Phoenix and quickly moved to TV appearances before gaining national attention by the 60s.
Best known for hits like "El Paso," "Big Iron," "Devil Woman" and "Don't Worry," Robbins' chart-topping hits sold millions of copies and influenced the genre for years to come. Since his death, Robbins has been covered by artists like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and the Grateful Dead.
Robbins died on Dec. 8, 1982 in Nashville, Tennessee after suffering a heart attack and undergoing surgery. He was 57 years old.
In 2016, part of Glendale Avenue near 58th Avenue was renamed "Marty Robbins Boulevard" in honor of his life.
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