Marty Ross (2)

Born June 5, 1959 in Eugene, Oregon, and raised by his college professor parents, he lived in Europe during his childhood rarely staying in one place. Marty started his first band at age nine with his sister, Lesley. Known as "The Insects," they performed in front of neighborhood kids in their backyard. When he was 14, Marty and his family moved back to the United States. Settling in Rockford, Illinois, Marty hit the city like a tornado! Upon high school graduation, Marty enrolled in Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, but before the end of his sophomore year, the lure of a music career had taken over. "I decided I wanted to be on stage rather than behind a desk," says Ross. He next moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to begin his music career and eventually joined up with a band called "The Wigs (4)." After not only becoming the local rage but also cutting an album, Marty decided to make his move to the big time. Marty and "The Wigs" moved to Hollywood. Once there, Marty struggled, reuniting with a few group members for occasional appearances in local clubs. Marty's first big break came when "The Wigs" landed a role performing in the theatrical motion picture, "My Chauffeur." They also wrote eight of the songs for the film. Being involved with motion pictures opened new doors for Marty. He sang a song for the Charles Bronson movie "Murphy's Law." It was his association with "The Wigs," that brought Marty to the attention of the producers of the New Monkees.