Martel News

The 5 original members of the Martels Rock'n Roll Show are privileged and honoured to celebrate their 52nd Anniversary of playing rock n' roll music . 

A sincere note of appreciation goes out to all of our family members, friends and avid rock'n rollers  for their unwaivering support and continued enthusiasm for the past 5 decades.

On behalf of all the members of the Martels family,  we Thank you and hope to see you at one of our events this season to help us celebrate this milestone in music history!  

Ken Rowland March 1, 1943 - October 6, 2008 Ken passed away on October 6th, 2008 at Royal Victoria Hospital. A Celebration of Ken's Life was held at the Innisfil Funeral Home on Thursday, October 9th. Ken was the "Stage Emcee" for the "Martels Rock & Roll Show" for the last 30 years and during this past year was part of our 50th anniversary celebration of the band. Ken moved from Hamilton to the Midland area and began his DJ career at CKMP. In 1979 when the Martels planned for the first reunion of the band, Ken was invited to join the show; his expertise and extensive knowledge in rock & roll music brought professionalism and hype to the show. This was the beginning stage of the expansion of the Martels to the present 9 piece show band you see today. Ken was the "live stage mc" for the Barrie Kempenfest Arts & Music Festival for several years bringing his powerful presence and voice to help things run smoothly. Ken and his wife Darlene have grown to be an integral part of the "Martel Family" and our thoughts and sympathy go out to all their family and friends. The entire Martel family feel a deep sense of loss and shock at this time, but the show must go on and we know that Ken's spirit and enthusiasm is and will always remain in our show and in our hearts. The Martel Family