Lena Martell, the Glasgow-born singer whose 1979 cover of Kris Kristofferson’s "One Day at a Time" topped the UK charts for three weeks, has died at the age of 86. The record, which spent 36 weeks on the charts, earned her a place in the Guinness World Records and remains her most notable hit.
Born Helen Thomson on May 15, 1940, in the Hamiltonhill area of Glasgow, Martell was nicknamed by her father, a trombonist. Despite early family hardships, including her father’s departure and her mother’s struggle to support three children on multiple jobs, Martell pursued music from a young age. She began performing professionally in her youth and rose to prominence after moving to London. Early in her career, she was Barbra Streisand’s understudy in the 1964 West End production of *Funny Girl* and later headlined her own show at the London Palladium in 1978. She also shared stages with performers such as Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. in New York and Las Vegas.
Martell’s career spanned several decades and continents, marked by regular appearances on British television, including hosting a popular music program on the BBC, and frequent performances at major venues like the Talk of the Town cabaret club. Over her career, she released 30 albums, with four reaching the Top 20.
Her singing style, marked by a deep contralto voice and an approachable, straightforward demeanor, set her apart from more flamboyant contemporaries. Martell famously introduced herself simply, saying, “My name is Lena Martell, and I sing songs.”
Her beginnings were modest: she first performed professionally outside a cinema on Halloween and helped support bands in her teenage years. An early television appearance came in 1959, when she placed fourth on the ITV talent show *Find the Singer*. She later took her stage name from a bottle of Martell cognac while performing in a strip club, a name that stuck and would later become widely recognized.
Martell’s personal life was marked by tragedy and resilience. After losing her brother in a car crash and her boyfriend to a brain hemorrhage in the early 1960s, she continued to build her career despite setbacks. Financial difficulties saw her declared bankrupt in 1992, and she faced numerous health challenges, including vocal cord issues, breast cancer, and heart surgery. Throughout, she cared for her mother, who suffered from dementia.
After a period away from the spotlight, Martell returned in 2003 with a double album compilation and resumed touring in 2005, drawing audiences across the UK until 2014. In her later years, she lived near Glasgow in Bishopbriggs with her partner, David.
Lena Martell’s death was announced on October 5, 2026. She leaves behind a legacy as a beloved singer who bridged multiple musical worlds with warmth and sincerity.