Craig Martin Obituary, Death – Classic Albums Live Founder Remembered for His Music Legacy
Craig Ray Martin, the Toronto musician, entrepreneur and founder of Classic Albums Live, has died at the age of 64. Martin died on August 23, 2026, in Toronto after cancer, bringing an end to a career that connected generations of audiences with some of the most influential albums in rock and popular music.
Martin became widely known for creating Classic Albums Live in 2003. His idea was straightforward but ambitious: assemble highly skilled musicians to perform entire classic albums live, reproducing the recordings with close attention to the original arrangements rather than relying on costumes, impersonations or theatrical spectacle.
What began at Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre with a performance of Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon developed into a major live music series. Classic Albums Live eventually presented performances throughout North America and in Britain, with its productions covering albums associated with artists including The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, AC/DC, Bob Marley, Billy Joel and others.
Craig Martin’s Early Musical Life
Born September 2, 1961, in Toronto, Martin grew up in Scarborough and attended Wexford Collegiate Institute. His fascination with the music of the 1970s became a defining part of his life.
Before creating Classic Albums Live, he fronted the Rolling Stones cover band Midnight Ramblers. He also spent time working with a celebrity tribute-act company, experiences that helped shape his belief that audiences could experience classic records without the elaborate impersonation and theatrical elements often associated with tribute shows.
His approach to Classic Albums Live was highly hands-on. Martin was involved in hiring musicians, sound checks and other aspects of the operation, while also performing himself. He played rhythm guitar during Creedence Clearwater Revival productions and sang on performances of Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run.
A Lasting Impact on Live Music
Classic Albums Live grew into an organization employing roughly 100 musicians and became a regular presence at major venues, including Toronto’s Massey Hall. The productions became known for their attention to detail, with musicians recreating albums as complete works rather than simply selecting their most recognizable songs.
Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall remembered Martin as a valued partner and friend, noting his role in creating memorable live experiences and bringing iconic albums to audiences across North America.
Martin’s influence also extended beyond music. In 2016, he wrote, directed and produced GIG, a musical inspired in part by his own experiences in the entertainment business. He was also an accomplished painter.
Following his death, Classic Albums Live dedicated performances to his memory. A Led Zeppelin IV performance in Houston on August 28 was dedicated to Martin, while musicians at Massey Hall later paid tribute to him during a presentation of The Dark Side of the Moon.
Martin is survived by his mother, Maureen Martin, his sister, Tracy Martin, his son, Jackson Martin, and his ex-wife, Susan Hanley, according to recent reporting.
His legacy continues through Classic Albums Live, the organization he built around a lifelong belief in the power of great records and live musicianship. More than two decades after its creation, the concert series continues bringing complete classic albums to audiences, carrying forward the musical vision Martin established.