
Johnny Tillotson died Tuesday while surrounded by family at his home in Los Angeles, the former teen idol’s wife Nancy announced Wednesday. She told TMZ the cause of death was complications from Parkinson’s disease.
“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,” Nancy wrote on Facebook. “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.”
According to Billboard, Tillotson was a talented singer from Florida that first began performing as a child. He was 19 years old when he released his debut single, “Dreamy Eyes” / “Well I’m Your Man,” in 1958.
Tillotson quickly became a teen idol, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart with the 1960 hit “Poetry in Motion.” Other artists who covered the rock and roll/pop song include Bobby Vee and Cliff Richard.
Tillotson also wrote and performed “It Keeps Right on A-Hurtin’,” which was inspired by the terminal illness of his father. The 1962 song was nominated for a Grammy Award for best country and western recording, reached No. 3 on the Hot 100, and was covered by artists like Elvis Presley, Conway Twitty, Bobby Darin, Slim Whitman, Dean Martin, and Wanda Jackson.
According to Billboard, Tillotson had 25 songs chart on the Hot 100 in his career, including 1965’s “Heartaches By the Number.” He also had five hits on the Hot Country chart, two songs on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart, and nine Adult Contemporary entries.
“Johnny will be missed every single day for the rest of my life. He was simply the best,” Nancy wrote. “With all the love I have in my heart for a wonderful man gone too soon from this world.”
Survivors include Johnny’s wife Nancy, his brother Dan, his son John and stepdaughter Genevieve, as well as grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
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