Los Angeles became a little less swingin’ last week. Marty Roberts, of the legendary Marty & Elayne lounge act, died January 13. He was 89. Marty and Elayne played the Dresden in the L.A. neighborhood of Los Feliz more nights than not for 40-plus years. Marty and Elayne both sang as well as played multiple instruments. Marty was often found behind the drums or an upright bass. Elayne played keys and flute, surrounded by patrons who competed to get one of the coveted seats attached to her piano. News of Roberts’s death was announced by his daughter in a post on the Marty & Elayne official Facebook page. “We are heartbroken, the greatest man alive has gone on to Heaven,†she wrote. “My mom and I are devastated by his loss and there is nobody that could ever take his place … We will miss him more than words can express.â€
Marty and his wife, Elayne, worked the Dresden six night a week for more than 40 years. On a national stage, the pair cameo in the movie Swingers, which filmed at the Dresden. They were featured in Tom Petty’s “Yer So Bad†music video and in a sketch on Mr. Show. The audience’s reaction to the pair in the sketch shows how much love Angelenos had for the multi-instrumentalist pair. According to the Facebook post, a celebration of life will take place at Marty’s beloved Dresden with remote tickets available for those unable to attend in person.