Johnny Tillotson, the 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.

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.


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

This is so sad,,I listen to him for many years and wow what a teen crush , he ranked right up there with Waylon Jennings and Elvis.

REST IN PEACE MR.TILLOTSON