Martin was a music journalist for 'The Sheffield Star' and 'Telegraph' and author of books documenting the Sheffield music scene from the 60s to 80s. He was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease at the young age of 57 and after several years living at home, needed the support and expertise of staff at Woodland View Nursing Home to maintain his quality of life. In his memory to support residents there enjoying music in general Sheffield Tape Archive was started as a fundraiser publishing many rare recordings of the Sheffield scene and donations from bands playing there.