|
Johnny Tillotson
Johnny Tillotson, who was both an ISA Member and a member of the International Songwriters Association's Hall Of Fame, was born on April 20, 1938, in Jacksonville, Florida, and raised in the small town of Palatka, the county seat of Putnam County.
From an early age, he displayed a deep interest in music, performing publicly while still a teenager and gaining exposure through local radio. He began writing songs at the age of 13, and his talent quickly caught the attention of industry professionals. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Florida, where he studied journalism, but his growing interest in music gradually pulled him toward a full-time career in the entertainment industry.
His early musical influences ranged from country to pop, and he developed a clean-cut image that aligned well with the teen idol market of the late 1950s and early 1960s. He achieved his first national recognition in 1958 when he became a finalist on the television show The Original Amateur Hour. That same year, he signed a contract with Cadence Records and released several singles that began to draw attention, charting nationally in 1958 with his first self-penned release "Dreamy Eyes".
Johnny's real breakthrough came in 1960 with the song "Poetry in Motion," a pop hit that rose to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped charts in the UK. Though the song had been written by Paul Kaufman and Mike Anthony, it became forever associated with Tillotson’s smooth vocals and youthful appeal.
Around this time, he also began recording more of his own material, contributing significantly to his growing catalogue. One of his notable self-penned songs was "It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin'," released in 1962. The deeply emotional ballad, written in response to the death of his father, became one of his biggest hits. It peaked at number 3 on the Billboard chart and was later covered by numerous artists, including Elvis Presley, Billy Joe Royal, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin and Slim Whitman, and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Country & Western song for 1962 but lost to Burl Ives' "Funny Way of Laughing". However, vocalists flocked to cover it, securing its place as a country-pop standard.
Throughout the early 1960s, Johnny remained a fixture on the charts with a string of hits, including “Talk Back Trembling Lips,” a country-influenced number that demonstrated his versatility as a performer. Although he was not the writer of this song - it was penned by John D. Loudermilk - Johnny’s rendition brought it to wide popularity.
His string of hits included a mix of pop and country offerings, covers and self-penned tunes, including such titles as "Earth Angel", "Pledging My Love", "Without You", "Send Me the Pillow You Dream On", "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry", "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love with You)", "Out of My Mind", "You Can Never Stop Me Loving You", "Funny How Time Slips Away", "She Understands Me", "Heartaches by the Number", "You're the Reason", "Tears on My Pillow" and "What Am I Living For".
As the British Invasion reshaped the American pop music landscape mid-decade, his chart presence began to wane, but he continued to perform, record and occasionally chart with songs that blended country and pop influences.
He moved to MGM Records in the mid-1960s following the closure of Cadence, and continued to release quality singles, although the changing tides of popular music made it harder for him to replicate the massive success of his earlier years. Nevertheless, he maintained a loyal fanbase and frequently appeared on television shows, variety specials, while performing in concerts around the world. Over time, his songwriting played an increasingly important role, even if his own recordings did not dominate the charts as they once had.
In later years, Johnny remained active in the music scene, participating in oldies tours celebrating the legacy of early rock and roll and pop music. His own contributions as both a performer and songwriter were recognised for their craftsmanship and emotional resonance. Songs like “It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin’” stand as a testament to his ability to connect with listeners on a deeply personal level.
Johnny Tillotson combined youthful charm, a sincere vocal style, and songwriting talent which enabled him to carve out a significant place in the history of American popular music. His career, though most prominent in the early 1960s, endured for decades, marked by the enduring appeal of his songs and his dedication to his craft.
International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member.
Johnny Tillotson died, at the age of 86, on the 1st April 2025, in Los Angeles, California, USA, of complications from Parkinson's disease.
International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member Obituary, courtesy of Jim Liddane
Recent Obituaries
ISA • International Songwriters Association (1967)
internationalsongwriters@gmail.com
Cookies Policy • Privacy Policy • Copyright
Legal Notice
This site is published by the International Songwriters Association, and will introduce you to the world of songwriting. It will explain music business terms and help you understand the business concepts that you should be familiar with, thus enabling you to ask more pertinent questions when you meet with your accountant/CPA or solicitor/lawyer.
However, although this website includes information about legal issues and legal developments as well as accounting issues and accounting developments, it is not meant to be a replacement for professional advice. Such materials are for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal/accounting developments.
Every effort has been made to make this site as complete and as accurate as possible, but no warranty or fitness is implied. The information provided is on an "as is" basis and the author(s) and the publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damages arising from the information contained on this site. No steps should be taken without seeking competent legal and/or accounting advice
Home •
Interviews •
Writing A Song •
Obituaries
|
