KAMAS, Utah, August 7, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — Ricci Martin, son of legendary crooner Dean Martin, has died at the age of 62.
Family members confirm the entertainer passed away Wednesday at his home in Kamas, Utah. The cause of death was not immediately revealed.
Martin was one of eight children, a successful musician, producer and director. His career in entertainment spanned more than 40 years.
In the 1970s, Martin worked as the opening act for The Beach Boys during the group’s U.S. and Canada tours.
Martin also worked as an actor, starring opposite Lisa Hartman in the film “Just Tell Me You Love Me” and the ABC Network special “Hot Stuff.”
Martin jumped back into music in the late ’70s, joining Sammy Clayton, of Little Feat, and Beach Boys’ cohort Ricky Fataar, to form the group Main Squeeze.
In the 1980s, Martin transitioned into the world of music video, working as a VJ for “The Rock Show,” based in Los Angeles. He then went on to actually direct music videos, including his famous father’s one-and-only video, “Since I Met You Baby.”
In 1990, Martin moved to Utah, where he founded the River Ranch recording studio.
In the course of the last few years, Martin has been performing the traveling production of “His Son Remembers: Dean Martin’s Music and More”.
Earlier this year, Martin canceled a number of tour dates after he was seriously injured in a fall in his home.
