Tab Martin | |
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![]() The Peddlers in 1968. On the right, Tab Martin. | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Alan Raymond Brearley |
Born | Newcastle upon Tyne, England | 24 December 1944
Genres | Jazz, pop |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instrument(s) | Bass guitar |
Tab Martin (born Alan Raymond Brearley; 24 December 1944) is an English bass guitarist. He has been a member of well-known English bands from the 1960s. He was a member of the Tornados and played on their hit "Globetrotter". He was also a member of the Peddlers and played on their hits "Birth" and "Girlie". He also founded 1960s group the Saints.
Martin was born in Newcastle on 24 December 1944.[1] Martin was known for his technique of playing his bass in an upright fashion.[2][3][4]
In 1967, Martin was no. 9 in the Bass Guitarist section of the Beat Instrumental Gold Star Awards.[5]
Martin became a member of the Tornados when he replaced Chris Hodges. He left the group a month after they released the single "Globetrotter" and was replaced by former Pirates member Brian Gregg. He went on to form his own band, the Saints.[6] In April 1964, along with Roy Phillips and Trevor Morais, Martin formed the Peddlers.[7] The Peddlers had a minor hit with "Let the Sunshine", followed by a top twenty hit with "Birth" and followed by another hit, "Girlie".[8] The group's album Birthday which was released on Epic also charted.[9][8] Martin continued with the Peddlers, with New Zealand drummer Paul Johnston replacing Morais in 1972. He stayed with the group until their breakup in the mid-1970s. After that, he became a session musician.[7][8]
Martin produced a single for the Otis Waygood Band. The single "Get It Started" b/w "Red Hot Passion" was released on Decca in 1977.[10] He also produced "Making Up Again" which was a hit single for UK group Goldie.[11][12] In 1978, he and Dominic De Sousa were working for MAM Records.[13] They worked together, producing the "Disco Hell" single for Dafne and the Tenderspots which was released the following year.[14]