Lena Martell, the celebrated Scottish singer and Broadway performer, has died at the age of 86. Born Helen Thomson in Glasgow, she rose to national prominence as the first solo Scottish female artist to reach the top of the UK singles chart with her 1979 cover of the song One Day at a Time. In the 1970s, Martell had her own television series, which saw her singing and chatting to different big-name guests in front of audiences of more than 12 million every week. Her early studio albums were released under the Pye record label.
Martell’s career spanned several decades, beginning in childhood with her elder brother’s band. She later performed with the Jimmie McGregor Band at Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom. After appearing on the 1950s ITV show Find the Singer, she secured her first recording contract at the age of 16. Her musical journey eventually led her to international stages, including Broadway, where she served as an understudy for Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl. Over the years, she performed extensively across the United States, including shows in New York and Las Vegas, sharing the stage with icons such as Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. Spending extensive periods in the United States, the singer performed on cruise ships and in cabarets and concert halls.
Career Achievements and Milestones
- Chart Success: Her rendition of One Day at a Time, written by Marijohn Wilkin and Kris Kristofferson, held the number one spot in the UK for three weeks in October 1979.
- Record-Breaking Run: The single sold nearly three million copies and remained in the charts for 36 weeks, earning a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.
- Television Presence: Throughout the 1970s, she hosted her own prime-time series, regularly drawing audiences of over 12 million viewers per episode.
- Album Performance: Between 1974 and 1980, she placed six albums in the UK charts, with four reaching the top 20.
Martell faced significant health challenges during her life, including a cancer diagnosis and a triple heart bypass surgery. Despite these setbacks, she remained resilient, later returning to the stage at the Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow. It is understood she died at a care home following a short illness. She was diagnosed with cancer and later underwent a triple heart bypass – a surgical procedure which uses a blood vessel from somewhere else in the body to create another way for blood to reach the heart muscle.
Tributes have emerged following the news of her passing. Fellow Scottish singer Barbara Dickson shared her condolences, stating: “She had a lovely melodious quality to her voice and I remember my late father admiring her quiet talent.” Fans have also taken to social media to share memories of her music and her memorable 1979 appearance on Top of the Pops.
