Martha Ellen Tilton, known as "The Liltin' Miss Tilton," was a prominent American singer during the swing era and traditional pop period. Born on November 14, 1915, in Corpus Christi, Texas, her family moved to Los Angeles when she was seven months old. Tilton's musical talent was nurtured in a family where music was a significant part of life. She began her career as a teenage singer on local radio, which led to paid performances at venues like the Coconut Grove.

Tilton gained fame as the lead vocalist for Benny Goodman’s band, joining in August 1937. She was part of the historic 1938 Carnegie Hall concert and achieved a No. 1 hit with "And the Angels Sing" in 1939. Her tenure with Goodman lasted until the end of 1939. In 1942, she became one of the first artists to record for Capitol Records, achieving success with hits like "I'll Walk Alone" and "I Should Care."

Apart from her recording career, Tilton appeared in films such as Swing Hostess (1944) and Crime, Inc. (1945), often featured as a specialty singer. She continued to record and perform until the 1990s, leaving a lasting impact on the music industry. Martha Tilton passed away on December 8, 2006, in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California.