William E. Martin

William E. Martin (October 8, 1945 – January 27, 2016)[1] was an American musician, songwriter, screenwriter, and voice actor.

For other people known by this name, see William Martin (disambiguation) and Billy Martin (disambiguation).
William E. Martin
Born(1945-10-08)October 8, 1945
DiedJanuary 27, 2016(2016-01-27) (aged 70)
OccupationMusician, songwriter, screenwriter, voice actor
Years active1969–2006

Life and career

A friend of Monkee Michael Nesmith, Martin wrote the first song ("All of Your Toys") to be recorded with all four Monkees singing and playing. However, the song's copyright was owned by Tickson Music, for whom Martin worked; Screen Gems, who supervised music selection for the Monkees, had a rule that only Screen Gems-owned material could be released, and Tickson Music refused to sell the copyright. Martin took the setback in stride, signed a new contract with Screen Gems, and the band recorded his "The Door into Summer" (with title inspired by Robert A. Heinlein's novel).

A later teaming with singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson resulted in the song "Rainmaker", released in two different versions by Nilsson (on single and on LP) in 1969. Nilsson also covered some of Martin's songs, including "Fairfax Rag" and "City Life". Martin released a concept album in 1970, titled Bill Martin's Concerto for Head Phones and Contra-Buffoon in Asia Minor.[2] It failed to sell. Shortly after their initial collaboration, Nilsson's film The Point would feature Martin's voice talent in the character of the Rockman.

Martin also wrote the song "Evergreen (Earth Anthem)", recorded by Cyrus Faryar, The Turtles, Dan Fogelberg and others.[3]

Martin co-starred with Nesmith in his Grammy-winning Elephant Parts in 1981, and Nesmith also produced An Evening with Sir William Martin, with Martin delivering a half-hour monologue dressed in a smoking jacket and parodying Orson Welles, interspersed with different character voices.

Among Martin's screenwriting credits was the 1987 movie Harry and the Hendersons. Martin's first movie voice role came in the 1971 animated movie The Point as the Rock Man and later in the 1989 animated movie Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland as the villainous Nightmare King. He also had a cameo role in Hey, Hey, It's the Monkees, the 1997 television movie which reunited the full band. He was the model for Bigfoot in Harry and the Hendersons.

His voice skills also earned him roles in numerous animated series, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (taking over the character of The Shredder after James Avery's departure from the role), Transformers, Challenge of the GoBots, and several Star Wars video games.

He died on January 27, 2016,[4] aged 70.[5]

Filmography

Movies
YearTitleRoleNotes
1971The PointRock Man (voice)Television film
1981Elephant PartsWriter
1987Harry and the HendersonsWriter
1989Asterix and the Big FightProlix (voice)American Dub
1992Little Nemo: Adventures in SlumberlandNightmare King (voice)Credited as William E. Martin
1997Hey, Hey, It's the MonkeesTour GuideTelevision film
1999Dash and LillyCroupier

Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
1984Mighty OrbotsTor / Umbra (voice)Episode: "Magnetic Menace"
1985Amazing StoriesGuardEpisode: "Mummy Daddy"
1986The TransformersBroadside (voice)4 Episodes
The Centurions(voice)64 Episodes
Karate KommandosClaw (voice)5 Episodes
1986—1990The Real GhostbustersSamhain (voice)3 Episodes
1994—1996Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesShredder (voice)7 Episodes
1996Aaahh!!! Real MonstersRace Announcer / Commanding Voice (voice)Episode: "The Master Monster/Slumber Scare"

Videogames
YearTitleRoleNotes
1993Conquest of the New WorldIntroduction VoiceCredited as Bill E. Martin
1995StonekeepWahooka (voice)
1996Star Wars: X-Wing vs. TIE FighterRed Group Leader (voice)Credited as Bill E. Martin
1998Star Wars: RebellionRed Group Leader (voice)
1999Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom MenaceBith Merchant / Fisherman / Lizard boy / others (voice)Credited as Bill E. Martin
Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword CoastFake Durlag Doppelganger / Dwarwen Characters (voice)
Star Wars: X-Wing AllianceCmdr. Devers / Imperial Officer (voice)
2000Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of AmnKorgan Bloodaxe / Bregg (voice)Credited as Bill E. Martin
Star Wars: Force CommanderA-Wing Pilot #2 / Abridon Refugee #3 (voice)
2001Baldur's Gate II: Throne of BhaalKorgan Bloodaxe (voice)
Baldur's Gate: Dark AllianceTorgier (voice)
2002Star Wars: Bounty HunterMale Civilian #3 / Smootie / Beast Handler (voice)
2003Star Wars: Knights of the Old RepublicNurik Sandral / Davin Kotras / Garouk / others (voice)Credited as Bill E Martin
2004Champions of Norrath(voice)
2005Champions: Return to Arms(voice)
2006SiN EpisodesGarrison / Dock Workers (voice)

References
  1. "The Lost Monkees Single: "All of Your Toys"", MonkeesLiveAlmanac.com. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  2. "Bill Martin's Concerto for Head Phones and Contra-Buffoon in Asia Minor". Discogs. Retrieved 22 Nov 2017.
  3. "Liner Notes for Cyrus Faryar's "Cyrus"". Richieunterberger.com. Retrieved 2016-01-31.
  4. "Blog - The Monkees Live Almanac". Monkeesconcerts.com. Retrieved 2016-01-31.
  5. Blitzmagazine, Twitter.com
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