Louis "Mike" Martin, Sr.

Louis E. (Mike) Martin, 83

SINGER SONGWRITER AND AUTHOR

Louis Martin, a native of Washington DC, whose stylistic renditions of both old and new music transformed the local as well as the national music scene with such songs as “Unchained Melody” and the Disney classic “When You Wish Upon A Star”, died on October 27, 2022, into the arms of Jesus and his angels.

Mr. Martin was a member of the original early fifties rock and roll group “The Bobolinks” who later changed their name to the “Memories”.  They made numerous successful records and albums during his over five decades of performing.  His lilting high tenor lead voice was known and loved by hundreds of thousands of fans around the country who flocked to the Memories concerts during their musical career.  The Memories were best known for their hit record “Love Bells” which was performed all around the country, as well as in the film “Dreams Come True” which immortalized the groups musical history.  The Memories were enshrined in the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum in 1998.

Mr. Martin, who grew up in Washington DC was a graduate of Pacific Western University with undergraduate studies at American University.  He also enjoyed a parallel career as a Washington DC Metropolitan Police Officer.  He retired as a Detective Sergeant from the police department in 1970 as a result of injuries sustained while on the job.  Prior to his police department retirement, he joined the US House of Representatives District Committee as a special congressional investigator after being invited by the House District Committee Chairman, Rep. John McMillan of SC to join his staff.  Mr. Martin, during his tenure with the committee, gained personal notoriety as a result of his investigation of the DC school system.  He later left the committee to continue his musical career.

Between the years of 2016 and 2019, Louis wrote three books: “The Memories A Doo Wop Journey”, “Rats with Badges”, and “Relentless”.  Mr. Martin most enjoyed his travels, his pool, sitting on the pier, and the many happy hour Saturdays with a good vino watching sunsets from his home on the Chesapeake Bay.  He loved to entertain, and he never let you leave without his famous last words “keep your hand on it”.

He is survived by his loving wife Sandra G. Martin, daughters Cheryl A. Martin and Melissa (Chad) Caldwell, son Louis E. Martin, Jr. (Colleen), and Grandchildren Farren, Braden & Delaney Martin of Florida, Charidy, Chyler, Chandyn Caldwell of Texas.

A memorial gathering will be held at the Lee Funeral Home Calvert, P.A., 8200 Jennifer Lane, Owings, MD 20736 on Saturday, November 12^th from 1pm until a memorial service at 3 pm In lieu of flowers, please remember Louis with a memorial contribution to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 6 Herndon Ave., Annapolis, MD 21403 or at www.cbf.org/memorial.