Scottish singing star Lena Martell, whose recording of “One Day at a Time” made her a chart-topping household name in Britain, has died at 86 following a short illness.
Martell died peacefully at a care home, according to reports from Scotland. She is survived by her longtime partner, David.
Born Helen Thomson in Glasgow in 1940, Martell built a career that stretched across music, television and the stage. She began performing as a child and eventually became one of Scotland’s best-known female entertainers.
Her biggest commercial breakthrough came in 1979 with “One Day at a Time,” a country-gospel song written by Marijohn Wilkin and Kris Kristofferson. Martell’s version climbed to No. 1 on the official U.K. singles chart in October 1979 and remained there for three weeks. Official Charts records show the single spent 18 weeks on the chart overall. Official Charts
The achievement was particularly significant for Martell, who was widely celebrated as the first Scottish female solo performer to score a No. 1 single in the U.K.
Her success was not limited to one song. Martell recorded numerous albums throughout her career, with six reaching the U.K. Top 40 and two making the Top 10, according to Official Charts. Official Charts
She also enjoyed a high-profile television career. Martell fronted her own BBC entertainment program beginning in the early 1970s, helping establish her as a familiar face in British homes.
Her stage work reportedly included time connected with the Broadway production of “Funny Girl,” where she understudied Barbra Streisand. Over the years, Martell performed alongside or crossed paths with some of the biggest names in entertainment.
Behind the success, however, Martell endured a series of difficult personal and health battles.
She was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1979, the same year “One Day at a Time” became a No. 1 hit. Years later, she faced breast cancer in 1997 and underwent triple heart bypass surgery in 2008.
Martell also cared for her mother while she was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, balancing family responsibilities with her own health struggles.
Her finances took a major hit in the early 1990s when a property business she owned collapsed, ultimately resulting in bankruptcy.
Despite those setbacks, Martell continued performing and remained closely associated with the song that defined her career. She later said she had learned to live “one day at a time,” giving the title that made her famous an especially personal meaning.
Musicians and friends have been paying tribute following news of her death.
Dougie Stevenson, who toured with Martell, remembered her as both a talented performer and a warm personality.
“Lena really was a great personality and great to work with, both on and off the music,” Stevenson told The Herald.
He also recalled how deeply attached Martell remained to her hometown, saying she could sometimes be spotted around Glasgow wearing dark glasses in an attempt to go unnoticed.
“She really loved Glasgow,” he said.
Martell’s death closes the chapter on a career that lasted decades and included chart success, television stardom and major personal adversity.
For many fans, however, she will remain forever associated with the record that reached the top of the British charts in 1979 — “One Day at a Time.”
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