Southern Soul and Blues singer Isaac “Big Ike” Martin died on August 31, 2003 from complications from a gastric bypass operation in his hometown of Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Southern Soul and Blues singer Isaac “Big Ike” Martin died on August 31, 2003 from complications from a gastric bypass operation in his hometown of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Big Ike became lead singer of the Southern Soul and Blues band called the Episodes (later changed to the Lake City Show Band). The group became a regional sensation opening for singers Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and Bobby Blue Bland in grand arenas like Ball's Auditorium and Jones' Fine Fox. Big Ike was a reclusive musician, and even the music professionals in the Deep South who had heard of him seldom if ever saw him in person. BIronically, his death came just days after negotiating a big recording contract for with a major blues label (Mardi Gras Records), for the Teddy Bear album, a decision which would have been a quantum leap career-wise and undoubtedly would have at long last thrust him into the national spotlight.