American music legend Johnny Tillotson tells Dennis Chua that Elvis and Asian fans are his inspirations
JOHNNY Tillotson is the man behind golden oldies such as the up-tempo Poetry In Motion, the self-penned and heartfelt It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin’, the enchanting Dreamy Eyes and Earth Angel, and the chirpy Judy Judy Judy that celebrates childhood crushes.
Tillotson, who has visited Malaysia, particularly Kuala Lumpur, five times since the 1980s, had his maiden performance in Hard Rock Cafe, Kuala Lumpur recently. The next day, he made his debut at Hard Rock Cafe Malacca, marking his first visit to the historical city.
“It’s so good to be back in Kuala Lumpur, one of my favourite Asian cities, with great people who are warm and love music.
“The food’s great too as it’s a fusion of cultures,” said the 75-year-old before his KL showcase.
Tillotson, who has also visited George Town, Penang, will soon launch a new CD with music from countries he has visited such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and Thailand.
“Sorry I haven’t got any from Malaysia yet, but there’s always next time. His “love affair” with East Asia started in the early 1980s when he visited Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, besides Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Hong Kong. “Asia’s always got a special place in my heart because I’ve got staunch fans here who sing and dance along with me without hesitation.”
SUCCESS BECKONS
Born on April 20, 1939 in Jacksonville, Florida, Tillotson had dreamt of becoming a successful singer and songwriter since his pre-teen years.
“When I was 9, I performed at local functions, and when I was in high school, I was singing in shows in Jacksonville.”
In 1957, while Tillotson was studying at the University Of Florida, disc jockey Bob Norris sent his tape to a national talent contest, and Tillotson ended up as one of the six finalists. This gave him the opportunity to perform in Nashville, and Lee Rosenberg, a publisher, introduced him to Archie Bleyer, the owner of Cadence Records (who gave him a plane ticket to New York and allowed him to live at his house).
“Bleyer launched my single, Dreamy Eyes / Well I’m Your Man, which I wrote in 1958. It made the Billboard Hot 100.”
After graduating in 1959 with a degree in journalism, Tillotson chose to live in New York and continue with his budding music career. A succession of singles — True True Happiness, Why Do I Love You So, Earth Angel and Pledging My Love reached the Hot 100.
“But my biggest success came with Poetry In Motion, written by Paul Kaufman and Mike Anthony.” Released in 1960, it went to No. 2 on the Hot 100 and No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart.
His follow-up single, Jimmy’s Girl, written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss, reached No. 25 in the US charts and Without You returned him to the US Top 10.
In 1962, Tillotson recorded It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin’, inspired by the terminal illness of his father. It reached No. 3 in the US pop charts and was the first of his records to make the country music charts at number four.
“This song earned me my first Grammy nomination for Best Country and Western Recording, and was covered by over 100 performers, including Elvis Presley and Billy Joe Royal, whose version was a hit in 1988.”
Tillotson’s hit song became the title track of his next album, in which he covered country standards such as Hank Locklin’s Send Me The Pillow You Dream On and Hank Williams’ I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still In Love With You). He continued to record country and pop songs in 1963, and You Can Never Stop Me Loving You and the Willie Nelson song Funny How Time Slips Away both made the Hot 100.
In 1964, Tillotson’s version of Ernest Ashworth’s Talk Back Trembling Lips reached No. 7 on Billboard’s Hot 100. He earned his second Grammy nomination withHeartaches By The Number, and received a nomination for Best Vocal Performance in 1965. The song reached No. 4 on the Adult Contemporary Charts.
Tillotson also sang the theme song for the 1965 Sally Field television comedy Gidget and “she loved it”.
In 2006, he was honoured by the University Of Florida College Of Journalism And Communications with the Alumni Of Distinction Award. Two years later, he was inducted into the Hit Parade Hall Of Fame.
In 2010, he released a single Not Enough which is a tribute to the military, police and all uniformed personnel of the United States. It reached No. 1 on the Independent Country Chart. In 2011, he was inducted into the Florida Artistes Hall Of Fame.
VERSATILE SINGER
Tillotson briefly dabbled in acting, and appeared in the 1963 movie Just For Fun. His other movies are the 1966 comedy The Fat Spy, British musical film Just For Fun, Japanese film Namida Kun Sayonara (named after his Japanese hit of the same name) and The Call Of The Wild.
Tillotson regards (Hank) Williams as the man who inspired him to become a versatile singer. “Hank was great with words, a storyteller who was like a painter. I did shows with him in the 1960s.”
In fact, the songs Without You and Dreamy Eyes which he wrote are heavily influenced by Williams’ style. He also reveres Presley, whom he knew since Heartbreak Hotel, which was written by Mae Axton. “I also love Johnny Cash, a man who delivered his songs with a lot of soul.”
Axton is his favourite songwriter, as she was the lyricist who encouraged him to sing. “She was a dear friend till the end, my ‘guardian angel’ with a heart of gold.”
Tillotson, the eldest of three siblings, is the proud grandfather of two. “They’re the son and daughter of my son John Michael. He can sing well, too, but he’s a set designer.”
Besides singing, Tillotson enjoys watching baseball, and has always supported the LA Dodgers. “I keep close to my family as much as I can, and they’re always my No. 1 fans.”
He thanks his lucky stars that he can always spend quality time with his family, and advises new singers to learn the history of popular music, be passionate and keep improving themselves.