R.I.P.: Johnny Tillotston, Sixties Hitmaker

Johnny Tillotston (1938-2025)

Johnny Tillotson, the renowned singer-songwriter best known for his 1960s hit "Poetry in Motion," passed away on April 1, 2025, at the age of 86.

His death was confirmed by his wife, Nancy Tillotson, who shared the news in an emotional tribute on social media on April 2, 2025. According to Nancy, Johnny died at their home in Los Angeles, surrounded by family, following a battle with Parkinsonism, a condition related to Parkinson’s disease that had impacted his health in recent years.

Nancy described Johnny as "the sweetest, kindest man" she had ever met, calling him her "best beloved" and "Knight of my heart." She highlighted his gratitude toward his fans, noting that he once said they "made every dream I ever had come true." His passing came just days after the release of his final single, "Everything I Touch Turns to Blue," in March 2025, leaving behind one last musical contribution for his audience.

Tillotson, born on April 20, 1938, in Jacksonville, Florida, rose to fame in the early 1960s as a teen idol. 

His signature song, "Poetry in Motion," peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a global hit, reaching No. 1 in the United Kingdom. His career also included other notable successes, such as "It Keeps Right on A-Hurtin’," which earned him a Grammy nomination in 1962 for Best Country & Western Recording and was covered by over 100 artists, including Elvis Presley. He received a second Grammy nod in 1965 for "Heartaches by the Number." Over his decades-long career, Tillotson sold tens of millions of records and left a lasting mark on both pop and country music.