Facing problems in life is inevitable. While some give up due to the burden of their past, others make an effort to change their habits and make themselves better. Although they faced many obstacles on their journey, they never forgot why they had begun walking down that road in the first place. We will discuss Matri Pellow, his journey from a music-loving child to a famous singer in the late 90s, from his drug addiction to recovering from it, and answer questions like: Is Matri Pellow married
A. Childhood of Marti Pellow:
Marti Pellow’s real name is Mark McLachlan was born to John and Margaret McLachlan on 23rd March, 1965 in Clydebank, an industrial zone in Scotland. He has one sibling, John McLachlan. Though his family was modest, Marti said that he grew up in a loving home. His interest in music began with his mother’s records at home. He studied at Clydebank High School, and other children called him Smarty, which he later turned into his stage name.
B. Music Career:
It was during his high school years that he met his future bandmates: Graeme Clark (bass guitar player), Tommy Cunningham (drums), and Neil Mitchell (keyboards). When Marti was 17, the band was formed and was almost named Vortex Motion, but it was changed to Wet Wet Wet after finding inspiration from the song, Getting’ Havin’ and Holdin’ (1982) by the British band, Scritti Politti. Their first single was Wishing I Was Lucky, and it hit No. 6 in the UK Singles chart, cementing their rise. He used the nickname other schoolmates have given him, Smarty, and turned it into Marti. And Pellow was his mother’s maiden name.
C. The Rise of Wet Wet Wet:
Their first album, Popped In Souled Out, ranked number 1 on the UK Chart list for weeks, and it gained them an enormous reputation. From playing in local bars or outdoor spaces to becoming popular, the band continued its ventures and released major musical numbers like Goodnight Girl and Love Is All Around, which stayed at the top of the charts in the years they were released. But in 1997, the team fell apart due to Marti Pellow’s drug addiction issues, which came to light.
D. First Major Obstacle:
As mentioned, Marti Pellow was involved in alcohol and drugs relatively young, and it turned into an addiction, which became a major obstacle in his career and life. Due to his addiction to heroin, he began isolating himself from his band, and it also impacted his relationships with loved ones. Hence, Wet Wet Wet split in 1997.
E. Rehabilitation:
In 1999, Marti decided to join a rehabilitation and improve his life. He underwent treatment at The Priory Clinic, London. As it is common, recovering from something that one has been addicted to for so long is hard. After overcoming his addiction, Marty’s interest in life and music sparked again. He released Marti Pellow: Pellow Talk, where he detailed his journey of fame and recovery from addiction. He even showcased his talent in the musical theatre by playing a few roles, like Chicago, Evita, and Jekyll & Hyde. He also released a solo album called Smile in 2001. The band also reunited in 2004 after seven years since their disbandment. They released Timeless in 2010 and also organised concerts and live shows.
F. Current life:
In 2017, Marti Pellow left Wet Wet Wet and continued his solo ventures. In October 2025, he is organising a tour for the 30th anniversary of Love is All Around. During the Pandemic, he performed online live shows, which helped in strengthening the bond with his fans.
G. Personal life:
Currently, he resides in Windsor with his long-term partner, Eileen Catterson, his only romantic relationship since his rise to fame. Eileen was the Miss Scotland of 1987. Though he had proposed to her many times, the couple remains content without marriage and support each other. So, he has been in a stable relationship for decades and is happy with his life.
To conclude, Marti Pellow is an inspiration and an example of how one can recover and form a new life when everything seems to have gone down. He is one of the few who not only dreamed but also made his dream come true. Even now, he continues to indulge in his interests, like the musical theatre and mentors students in the same field. He also supports people who are recovering from their addictions.
