Who was Johnny Tillotson? Poetry in Motion singer dies at 86

Singer and songwriter Johnny Tillotson passed away on April 1 at the age of 86. The news of the singer’s death was announced in an emotional Facebook post by his wife, Nancy Tillotson.

As per People Magazine, Nancy told the news outlet that Johnny Tillotson died after a Parkinsonism diagnosis.

The Florida-born 60s music star, who produced hits such as “Poetry in Motion,” “It Keeps Right On a-Hurtin’” and “Talk Back Trembling Lips,” released another track titled “Everything I Touch Turns To Blue” on March 28, just four days before his death.

As per the singer’s website, Johnny Tillotson used to appear in country music based television shows during his university days, such as the Toby Dowdy Show and later, the The Velda Show, on which he had a starring role.

According to Tillotson’s website, it was in 1957 that the singer got a chance to jumpstart his music career after winning the National Pet Milk Talent Contest. As a result, he got a chance to perform on a radio show in Tennessee, which impressed a Nashville-based music publisher, who shared his tape with Archie Bleyer, a record label owner. The first single Tillotson recorded with Breyer, “Dreamy Eyes,” went on to make an appearance at no. 63 on the Billboard Chart in 1959.

Soon after, Tillotson recorded “Poetry in Motion,” which climbed to the no. 2 position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1960. Tillotson’s “It Keeps Right On a-Hurtin’” gained the artist a Grammy nomination for Best Country & Western song in 1962.

According to Rolling Stone, Tillotson also received a second Grammy nomination for his performance on the 1965 song “Heartaches by the Number.”

Tributes for Johnny Tillotson

On April 2, Johnny Tillotson’s wife, Nancy, wrote an obituary for the singer:

“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. 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.”

Nancy recounted Tillotson’s achievements in the music industry, calling him a “1960s teen idol.” She also shared:

“Johnny will be missed every single day for the rest of my life. He was simply the best. With all the love I have in my heart for a wonderful man gone too soon from this world.”

Fabian Forte, a singer and contemporary of Tillotson’s, also took to social media to write a tribute:

“Saddened that longtime friend, the very talented and funny Johnny Tillotson has passed away. You will be missed.”

In 2011, Tillotson was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. As per Billboard, the singer had 25 entries on the Hot 100 charts, with four top 10s.