Off The Record
Singer Johnny Tillotson, Known For ‘Poetry In Motion’, Dies At 86 After Health Battle
The two-time Grammy-nominated vocalist of the song “Poetry In Motion,” Johnny Tillotson, passed away at the age of 86.
Nancy Tillotson, his wife, informed TMZ that Tillotson’s Parkinson’s disease problems were the cause of his death.
In a heartfelt Facebook tribute, Nancy revealed that her husband had passed away on Tuesday.
She told TMZ that when her husband passed away at his Los Angeles home, he was surrounded by family.
In an homage to Johnny’s many achievements, including his chart-topping hit Poetry In Motion and ‘the tens of millions of records’ he sold, Nancy reminisced that they enjoyed a ‘fairy tale’ romance.
A picture of Nancy and Johnny laughing together was included in the post.
“It is with a broken heart that I write to let you know that the sweetest, kindest man I ever met Johnny Tillotson , left earth for Heaven yesterday. He was my best beloved, Champion of my realm, Knight of my heart,” Nancy posted.
“Someone said, that sometimes right in the middle of an ordinary life you get a fairy tale. The day I met him I got mine. He was funny, generous and kind. A gentleman through and through. He loved and was grateful to his fans, as he once said, they made every dream I ever had come true. Once again on his behalf I say thank you for that.”
The life of Johnny Tillotson was characterized by notable accomplishments in the music industry. He was a teenage superstar in the 1960s who won over followers all around the world with his hallmark song, “Poetry In Motion.” Among other songs, this one shot to the top of the charts worldwide.
The classic song “It Keeps Right On a Hurtin” demonstrated his skill as a songwriter; it struck such a deep chord that more than 112 artists, including music icons like Elvis Presley, covered it.
Bobby Darin, Dean Martin, and Conway Twitty. Over the course of his musical career, Johnny recorded multiple albums and sold tens of millions of copies worldwide. His two Grammy nominations attest to his indisputable brilliance.
He was born in Jacksonville, Florida, on April 20, 1938, and on April 1, 2025, a few weeks before his 87th birthday, he took his wings to heaven to live with the Lord.
He is survived by his 45-year-old wife Nancy, his brother Dan, his sister-in-law Virginia, his nieces and nephews, his son John and his wife, his stepdaughter Genevieve, and his grandchildren Nia, Jackson, Georgia, and Gwyneth.
“I will miss Johnny every day for the rest of my life.” He was just the greatest. With all my heart’s affection for a great man who passed away too soon.
The Florida Division of Arts and Culture claims that Johnny, a crossover performer, played a significant role in bringing country music into the pop music industry.
Heartaches By The Number (Single) received a Grammy nomination in 1965 for Best Contemporary (R&B) Vocal Performance, while It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin’ received a Grammy nod in 1962 for Best Country & Western Recording. His career was so successful that he had two nominations at this time.
On his website, Johnny lists Poetry In Motion, Without You, and Talk Back Trembling Lips as some of his greatest albums. He has also had six #1 international songs and multiple records charting all over the world.
In addition, Tillotson composed and recorded the song “It Keeps Right On a Hurtin’,” which was covered by Elvis Presley and 110 other musicians.
Born in 1939 in Jacksonville, Florida, Tillotson, the son of a country music disk jockey, rose to fame throughout the state as a youngster for his vocal prowess.
According to the Florida Division of Arts and Culture, Johnny didn’t become well-known until the release of his song Poetry In Motion in 1960, even though he published a number of songs through a label while still in college and even made an appearance on a weekly TV show.
Tillotson became a teenage idol as a result of the song’s enormous success, which peaked at number one in the UK and number two in the US.
He had a tour with Dick Clark’s Cavalcade of Stars and was highlighted in adolescent magazines.
“That was such a big hit worldwide he recalled of the song in a 2011 interview with NJ.com. When I heard the song, I thought it might have potential, because it described the beauty of women. To this day, when I sing it, I sing to the ladies.”
One of his six number-one-charting recordings is Poetry In Motion.
Some of his previous number-one songs include Judy, Judy, Judy, Namida Kun Sayonara, You and Me, Cutie Pie, and You Can Never Stop Me Loving You.
In addition, Johnny wrote the theme song for the Sally Field-led television program Gidget and has recorded in five different languages.
Johnny was admitted into the American Pop Music Hall of Fame in 2014.
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