Ricci James Martin[1] (born Ricci Crocetti, September 20, 1953 – August 3, 2016) was an American musician and singer. He was one of Dean Martin's sons.[2] He established a band called The Pack. In 1977, he released the album Beached in collaboration with The Beach Boys member Carl Wilson and toured in the United States and Canada as the band's opening act. Wilson later became Ricci's brother-in-law when he married Ricci's sister, Gina Martin.[3]

Ricci Martin
Born(1953-09-20)September 20, 1953
Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
DiedAugust 3, 2016(2016-08-03) (aged 62)
Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
Occupation(s)Musician, singer
Years active1977–2016

He moved to Utah in 1990 and later joined the trio Ricci, Desi & Billy; it was a latter-day version of Dino, Desi & Billy. The act had previously included his brother Dean Paul Martin, who died in a plane crash in 1987.[4] In 2002, Martin published That's Amore: A Son Remembers, reflecting on his relationship with his father Dean Martin.[5]

For almost ten years of his musical career, he was a performer in the show His Son Remembers: Dean Martin’s Music and More, a tribute show to his father.[6]

Personal life edit

Ricci James Martin was the son of singer Dean Martin and his second wife Jeanne Biegger and the sixth of his father's eight children. Ricci Martin was married and had three daughters: Pepper, Montana and Rio.[3] He died on August 3, 2016, at age 62, of an undisclosed cause.[7] His mother died three weeks later, on August 24, 2016, in Beverly Hills, California.[8]

In 2022, Ricci's daughter Pepper came in third place on the first season of reality television series Claim to Fame.[9]

Bibliography edit

  • Martin, Ricci; Smith, Christopher (2002). That's Amore: A Son Remembers Dean Martin. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-58979-140-4.

References edit

  1. ^ "Ricci James Martin". Legacy.com. August 21, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  2. ^ "Ricci Martin, Musician and Son of Dean Martin, Dies at 62". Variety. August 6, 2016. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Ricci Martin, Musician Son of Dean Martin, Dies at 62". The Hollywood Reporter. August 6, 2016. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  4. ^ Lincoln, Ross A. (August 6, 2016). "Ricci Martin Dies: Entertainer & Youngest Son Of Dean Martin Was 62". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  5. ^ Martin & Smith 2002, pp. vii–x.
  6. ^ Wadley, Carma (June 15, 2007). "Mr. Cool — Dean Martin is remembered by his son Ricci". Deseret News. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  7. ^ T. H. R. Staff (2016-08-06). "Ricci Martin, Musician Son of Dean Martin, Dies at 62". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2021-07-07.
  8. ^ "Jeanne Martin, Model and Ex-Wife of Dean Martin, Dies at 89". The Hollywood Reporter. August 24, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  9. ^ Dehnart, Andy (6 September 2022). "Who won Claim to Fame? Its winner—and us, as it was a great summer show". reality blurred. Retrieved 22 October 2022.

External links edit