‘Poetry in Motion’ Singer Was 86

Johnny Tillotsonthe 1960s chart-topping and Grammy-nominated singer of “Poetry in Motion,” died Tuesday. He was 86.

Tillotson’s wife, Nancy Tillotson, announced his death in a Wednesday Facebook 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,” Nancy wrote. “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.”

Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, Tillotson kicked off his music career in 1958 and swiftly found success in the industry two years later with the release of his hit track “Poetry in Motion.” The song peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and catapulted his career into the mainstream.

In 1962, he released “It Keeps Right on A-Hurtin’,” which earned him his first of two Grammy nominations. The track was also a massive success, landing at No. 3 on the Hot 100, and went on to be covered by the likes of Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin and Wanda Jackson. Tillotson’s second Grammy nom came from his 1965 song “Heartaches by the Number,” which rose to No. 4 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart and No. 35 on the Hot 100.

In her tribute post, Nancy honored her husband’s “extraordinary achievements in the world of music” as a “1960s teen idol.” She went on to highlight his chart success and professional accolades, citing his two Grammy nominations as a “testament to his undeniable talent.”

“Johnny will be missed every single day for the rest of my life,” she concluded. “He was simply the best.”

Survivors include his wife, Nancy; his son, John; his step-daughter, Genevieve; and his grandchildren.