Johnny Tillotson, the noted American singer-songwriter known for his smooth voice and appeal as a 1960s teen idol, has died at 86, his wife confirmed.
Tillotson died on April 1 at his Los Angeles, California, home due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. His wife of 45 years, Nancy Tillotson, shared the news on her Facebook page, expressing her love and appreciation for her husband.
“He was the sweetest, kindest man, and a gentleman through and through,” Nancy wrote in her heartfelt tribute.
Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Tillotson started performing as a child before launching his professional music career in 1958. His breakthrough arrived in 1960 with “Poetry in Motion,” which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and No. 1 in the United Kingdom.
Tillotson’s career spanned five decades, during which he built an impressive catalog of hits. He followed his initial success with “Without You” in 1961, which peaked at No. 7 on the U.S. charts. Other notable hits included “Talk Back Trembling Lips,” “You Can Never Stop Me Loving You,” and “It Keeps Right On a-Hurtin’,” the latter being covered by Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, and Elvis Presley.
Tillotson achieved significant success on various music charts. He tallied 25 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, including four top 10 hits. His versatility was evident in his ability to move across genres, with five hits on Hot Country Songs, two on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and nine entries on the Adult Contemporary chart.
The musician received two Grammy nominations during his career. His self-penned hit “It Keeps Right On a-Hurtin'” earned a nomination for Best Country and Western Recording at the 5th Grammy Awards. Three years later, his rendition of “Heartaches by the Number” garnered another nomination at the 8th Grammy Awards.
Tillotson’s impact on the music industry went beyond chart success. He was credited with helping to popularize country music in the pop field, bridging the gap between the two genres. His composition “It Keeps Right On a-Hurtin'” has been recorded by over 110 artists, solidifying his legacy as a songwriter.
The music industry recognized Tillotson’s contributions and bestowed him with several honors during his life. He was inducted into America’s Pop Music Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2011.
Tillotson continued to produce music in his later years. Shortly before his passing, he released a new song titled “Everything I Touch Turns to Blue,” showing his continued passion for music.
In addition to his musical talents, Tillotson was known for his genuine appreciation of his fans. Nancy highlighted this aspect of his character, thanking fans for their unwavering support throughout his career.
His international appeal was notable, with six No. 1 international hits and hundreds of charted records worldwide. Tillotson recorded in five different languages and had hits in numerous countries. His music has been featured in various television shows, movies, and commercials, further extending his cultural impact.
Tillotson’s last full album, “Johnny Tillotson,” was released in 1977, though he continued performing for decades afterward. In his later years, he remained a favorite on the nightclub circuit and at casinos and hotels, maintaining a loyal live following.
He is survived by his wife Nancy, brother Dan, son John, stepdaughter Genevieve, and grandchildren Nia, Jackson, Georgia, and Gwyneth.
