FULL BIO:

During the 1950s, Marty worked in many of the top nightclubs in the country as opening act for established stars such as Sarah Vaughan, Eydie Gorme and many others, including the legendary Nat "King" Cole. It was during this time that he became part of the great comedy team of Allen & Rossi.

That association produced a string of hit comedy albums, dozens of television appearances, including 40 visits to the Ed Sullivan Show, and the theatrical motion picture "The Last Of The Secret Agents." Eventually, Marty decided to try his hand at some strait dramatic roles. His debut as a serious actor came on "The Big Valley" TV series. In an episode titled "The Jonah," Marty played a character who was considered a jinx and blamed for a run of bad luck at the ranch. "I met two great ladies doing that show," Marty said, "Linda Evans was very nice to me, and when Barbara Stanwyk complimented me on my acting, I was in heaven." Marty appeared in several other dramatic productions, including the TV movie "Mister Jerico," and "The Ballad of Billie Blue" and a Rod Serling "Night Gallery" segment.

Helping others, who are less fortunate, is part of his personal credo. In 1968 he made a "Hello Dere" tour of military hospitals in the United States, paying for his own transportation and hotel costs. A commendation for his good deeds was placed in the Congressional Record. He repeated the tour yearly through 1972. On each tour, he spent long hours talking to and entertaining the wounded soldiers who had just returned from Vietnam. He is also involved in a number of charitable causes including American Cancer Society, The Heart Fund, March Of Dimes, Fight For Sight, Cerebral Palsy, and is on the board of the Epilepsy Foundation. "I believe that if you have a talent and you use it to become successful, you should give back in return for the good fortune you've had," he said.

Throughout the 1970s and into the '80s, Marty made hundreds of TV appearances. "I went up and down the dial. I did all the talk shows and even became a regular on 'Hollywood Squares." He also appeared on "The Circus Of The Stars," "Password" and many other game shows plus 10 movies for television. " They used to call me 'the darling of daytime television.' I did everything except 'Sermonette.'" It was during this time he met Karon Kate Blackwell. The two began performing together, combining "Katie's" music and Marty's comedy.

The scene was almost as wild as Marty Allen's hair.

It was 51 years ago, Las Vegans Marty Allen and Steve Rossi were at the epicenter of the Beatles' U.S. debut, an earthquake in pop culture.

"It was total pandemonium, pure electricity" recalled Allen. Every time Ed Sullivan tried to introduce the British boy band on Feb. 9, 1964, "all those girls went bananas. You knew this was going to sweep the country."

At the time, Allen and Rossi, six years into their act, were one of the hottest comedy teams of their era. They were making their 12th appearance on Sullivan's Sunday night TV show, then the entertainment world's greatest launching pad.

After the Beatles' five-song set before a then-record 73 million viewers, Allen and Rossi's dilemma was immediately apparent: How do you avoid bombing when you're following the most explosive act ever?

With a screeching teeny-bopper crowd drowning out Sullivan, Allen and Rossi stepped into the swirl.

"If we had done our comedy bit, we would have died," Rossi said.

The big-haired Allen, who earlier cracked up John Lennon backstage with, "A lot of people mistake me for you," went with his trademark opener, "Hello dere," and added, "I'm Ringo's mother."

Big applause. Then Rossi, an accomplished singer, launched into the Beatles' hit song "I Want to Hold Your Hand" as Allen ran up the aisle, dancing and clapping.

"Marty got them hand clapping. We won 'em over," said Rossi, who teamed up with Allen for almost 30 years, including 44 appearances on the Sullivan show.

Since 1999, Marty and Karon have revamped the show biz act that made him famous.  Marty has added new material to include present day events while Karon sings, plays the piano, and plays the "straight man" for Marty during their on stage comedy routine.

Marty and Karon still love performing.  They travel extensively, routinely performing to sold out shows.  After 31 years of marriage, Karon brings a new spark to the show with her Jerry Lee Louis style piano playing, remarkably gorgeous outfits, and lovely presence.  Marty still has the wild hair, albeit, looking more like a human troll doll these days... but still bringing down the house with style and flair!

Marty and Karon prove during every show that great comedy and entertainment is timeless.

REVIEWS:

Mike Weatherford, Las Vegas Review Journal - "When Allen & Rossi made their mark as a duo in the Ed Sullivan era, it was Steve Rossi lobbing the soft serves that set off Allen's drunken wine-taster or addled football player. For years now, his wife has served up the punch lines, adding a new dimension to the old routines."

Norm Clark, Las Vegas Review Journal - "If you aren't already a fan of Marty Allen and his dynamic wife - vocalist/pianist/straight man Karon Kate Blackwell - you will be by the time you leave the showroom. ... Allen is as funny as he ever was, but for those who haven't seen the show the big surprise may be Blackwell and how talented she is singing the songs of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Ray Charles and Tina Turner. "

Today in Las Vegas Magazine - "After wowing the audience, Ms. Blackwell introduced the Godfather of comedy, Marty Allen. Marty is living proof that talent is ageless. The self-proclaimed "love child" of Phyllis Diller and Jackie Mason wasted no time in getting the audience laughing to the point of tears. ... One of the best things about this performance was its testament to humor. Hello Dere! demonstrated without a doubt that a show can be absolutely hysterical without resorting to vulgar humor - a point Mr. Allen made quite proudly."