Happy New Monkees Monday, everyone! I should say Happy Marty Monday! Yes, it is Marty’s birthday today! I think back to the many birthday messages I have sent to these guys over the years. I remember a story I wrote about Marty a couple of years back. I was interviewing him but had to run off to the restroom. I made the wise decision to leave the recorder on because I knew he would do something in my absence. And he did. Marty sat there, alone, performing to my digital recorder, in the middle of a crowded restaurant. It was great! And I ended that birthday message saying something like “with Marty you never want to miss a thing.”
The same is true today as I sit there and write this. No one can deliver the wonderful surprises like Marty. The best job I have is getting a front row seat, from the Rose in Pasadena last year to the Saban Theatre early this year. Marty keeps going, a guitar always within arms reach. To steal that line from “Have Gun – Will Travel” and tweek it a bit, “Have guitar will travel reads the card of a man” that is Marty Ross. A man and his guitar. A man and his music.
Marty is the constant dreamer and the consummate performer. I have no doubt he will be making music 60 years from now, with his sense of humor still intact. I can picture the headlines now (because Marty loves to speak in imaginary headlines), “Marty Ross, ancient singer from the now over 100 year old TV show, ‘New Monkees’, was wheeled onto the stage today. Ross, now toothless but ever fiery, gummed his trademark song “Affection.” Note: a caveat for future visitors who witness this musical maestro, due to the epic levels of spittle, first row will get wet! Umbrellas and raincoats strongly suggested. Enjoy the show!”
Happy Birthday, my friend Marty, may you have a wonderful day today!