Way back in 1962, I ran the audio board for Johnny's lip-sync of Poetry in Motion at WLKY-TV, a brand new UHF station in Louisville. I was 18, a film editor, and given a crash course on cueing records and starting turntables. Minutes later I was following the Director's cues as Johnny gave a flawless performance. This was for Boyd Bennett's (of Seventeen fame) Dance Party, a local version of American Bandstand. I remember being scared to death not to bump the turntable - thus began my fifty-year career in media!! Johnny has always been one of my favorite artists. Such a special voice and style. God bless ♥️✝️.
I first met Johnny in a crews ship dining room. It was later in the evening and Johnny had done his show as part of Rocky and the Rollers " Rocking the Caribbean". I told him just how much I enjoyed his show and how well he sang. Later in the week there was a Q&A with the some of the artists doing the show. Johnny was asked what arrangements were necessary when one artists covers other artists song. Johnny was quick to say that Elvis had recorded "It Keeps Right On A Hurtin", and how much he liked Elvis and how thrilled he was to have Elvis do one of his songs. While Johnny was saying this, the shows DJ queued up Elvis' version of Johnny's hit single and started playing it in the background. We all saw a smile on Johnny's face that defies description. What a truly wonderful and talent person Johnny is.
Gail, thank you for replying to my post. I've loved Johnny since the release of Poetry In Motion. Great singer, great songs, most importantly a very special man.
Brilliant interview with such poise, skill, and happiness. Amazing man, a deserving man, Jonnie Tillison is really a man that sings so well.In essence "he polishes the lens of one's soul" with his great voice and songs "
I was thrilled to hear Johnny's Interview! Johnny Tillotson was always one of my favorite singers! Such a nice voice he has! God bless, you, Johnny! Peace and happiness, Brother Charlie Pratt ...I subbed to this great channel!
My three favourite rock n' roll singers are Elvis, Ricky Nelson, and Johnny Tillotson, and Johnny mentions his favourite Country singer, Faron Young. I rate my three top country singers as Jim Reeves, Marty Robbins, and Faron Young. and I love all of Johnny's country songs.
hi Johnny love always loved your song Poetry in Motion and Keeps on hurting always loved 60's music you are a class act:) I was born in 1967 and always preferred 1960's music over the 1980's stuff that i grow up with.
I've always been a big fan of Johnny. I knew his brother when I was in high school but never got to meet Johnny. Johnny is so genuine and humble unlike today's "artists." He never forgets his roots.
Johnny Tillotson is well represented in my music collection. His 1962 hit version of Hank Locklin's Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On is my favorite by Johnny
Johnny is one of the greatest voices god ever created to sing, rock n' roll, pop, or country. And very talented songwriter. Thank you Johnny for this interview.
I met Johnny at a performance at Solon High School, a suburb of Cleveland in 2009. One of the nicest gentleman I have ever met. God bless you Johnny. Still love your music.
Love this guy. His songs tell the story of my life. I only wish I could have seen him when he came to a town near me - long long time ago... Maybe I should have stolen the money to go...
Loved your interview, I’m from Jacksonville and grew up with you, the last time I saw and talked to you I was in the army , caught you getting out of a cab you stopped and talked to my friend and I ,that was in June 1964 .
My sweet Johnny so many things I want to say. But can't. Love you & your video so much. So many of your songs touch my heart with such deep love and emotions. You are the only one I have felt I could trust completely. It keeps right on a Hurtin Im so lonesome i could cry Talk back trembling lips That's one thing I never quite learned how to do. Lol I love these songs so much. I pray you are happy and doing well. Coming up on 3rd birthday of Waiting and Hoping that somehow. We will have a chance to talk again. You have always been a huge part of my life. Forever Loving you
In 1962 or 63 you interviewed with me when I was working at CFCF Radio & TV in Montreal. I can't say I remember what we talked about but I do remember your kindness and most personable style. I've enjoyed listening and following your career ever since. We're both about the same age and we've both still got our hair! Nice to see you again if only on the screen.
I drive by 1601 North Pearl St. often on my way downtown to a bookstore. I posted some photos of it on a local Facebook page that started a lot of memories rolling.
Hi Johnny..you are a very special man. Love your singing. Just finished watching your interview. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I could feel that you are a humble honest man. God bless you.
Thank you Mr Tillotson for many years of your music I have been a big fan forever I will continue to listen to you forever God bless you sir you are truly loved by many many people
Very happy I listened/watched this video. I moved to Alabama in 1961 and learned about Hank Williams right away as well as Bear Bryant. Have always loved music and now love football too. Poetry In Motion is my favorite of your songs and I also love Dreamy Eyes. Thank you so much for sharing this video.
dear Johnny, I remember your songs, when I was very young, then I completely forgot, and my wife found you on RU-vid, and she told me your name, I remembered you and , and I listened to your songs again, and I love them as much as before even seeing more, and I hope to hear you again, bye
Just love the songs of this great singer! I appreciate him more than ever after l viewed this video. More power to you, Johnny! An avid fan from Cebu City, Philippines!
I really like True True Happiness- that was more of a 'Feel good' number which i heard way back in 1961.I made a mistake by comparing him to Neil Sedaka, but later discovered the name Johnny Tillotson.
Always loved your music. Magnificent voice & great choice of music recorded over the years. Wonderful seeing this "fireside chat". Very interesting and loved your smile and laugh!!
JOHNNY.. I met you at a club called HOME CLUB in HINSDALE MA, ABOUT 20+Years ago.. I was on a date, and we did not know you were going to be there, till we arrived at the door.. That night was a total blast. I stood dancing right in front of you and singing all your songs along with you.. .That night you stared at me, made me pretty scared, i wasnt sure if you were gonna yell at me to stop singing or pull me up on ur stage... lol...Your record called IT KEEPS RIGHT ON A HURTING was my very first record i got free when I bought my first sterio... THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SONGS.. THERE WASNT ANY SONG YOU SANG THAT I DID NOT LIKE.. I wish you would come to MASS MOCA, North ADAMS, where i live , so i can go to see you sing again...
Poetry In Motion & Dreamy Eyes maybe the ones I like best but for emotional attachment I'd choose Judy, Judy, Judy (one of my favourite videos the one with Judy Garland) and Where Is She. The RU-vid video with you, Lesley & Del is special.
Johnny Tillotson, one of my favorite people, we played Harrah's Lake Tahoe at the same time, became friends I have a picture of Johnny and I taken on my birthday at the glass crutch in Tahoe, a wonderful person.
Man, I'd love to meet Johnny again now that I write songs. I met him every year as a kid at the Cerebral Palsy Telethon in the 70's when he hosted it in Oklahoma City, back then, I thought he was just a local average Joe who worked at the TV station. or United Cerebral Palsy lol Hey Johnny, if you see this, hit me up man.
What would be Johnny's best ever selling track? My favourite was & still is... Funny how time slips away. The words are so easily identifiable for anyone and I don't think Johnny missed a single note. Irreplaceable music. My only hesitation is am I getting the full original in digital when it was converted from vinyl? Pretty sure I wore out a pickup needle in the phonograph arm 🤭 What a tremendously dynamic talent. No one else I've heard (including Elvis) can sing Funny how time slips away, even nearly as well. To say the song suits him would be a massive understatement. Obviously I think it's his best track by far but I wonder what his fans said with their purchases? Amazing talent in so many songs that I also enjoy very much but for some reason Funny How Time Slips Away rises above all those excellent oldies. I can't even seem to hit all those notes vicariously never mind the real deal! Irreplaceable music I can't get enough of over and over, perhaps Hello Walls is my second favourite but he's always so effortless! God gifted singer for certain. 🙂
Johnny tillotson, l met this lady that said she was married to you. I had never heard of you, but l did listen to your music after she told me about you. I am a music teacher and l think your music is very good.
Loved this interview, grew up loving Johnny's songs and still do now. Especially Poetry In Motion, Talk Back Trembling Lips and Judy, Judy, Judy. Such an articulate, humble, talented and nice guy with a beautiful voice. Great stories about Elvis.
You’ve been my most favourite singer since I was a young girl, Johnny! I loved your music way back then, and I still love your music to this day! Wish we could download your songs though😥
"The silence of a falling star, lights up a purple sky ... and as I wonder where you are, I'm so lonesome I could cry ... " JT is one of many Jacksonville talents, including Mae Axton who wrote, "Heartbreak Hotel" for Elvis. I LOVE that this guy is still alive and well!! I'm happily stunned!
This is my favorite interview of any celebrity vocalist. (Al Martino had some great ones, and a rather brief interview with Brook Benton can be googled on "THE JOE FRANKLIN SHOW.) Johnny Tillotson shall turn 85 years old on April 20th, 2023. Even now, he has the distinction of being the oldest living former "teen idol" pop singer who was a legitimate celebrity, who had many charting songs, and LP albums that contained "album filler tracks" that were more meritorious than other stars hits! (Paul Anka comes in at second place, at age 81.) Faron Young, Al Martino, Brook Benton, Engelbert Humperdink, Elvis Presley, George Morgan, Jim Reeves, Steve Lawrence, Tony Martin, David Houston, Roy Drusky, Gene Autry, Slim Whitman, Vic Damone, Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis, Dean Martin, Robert Goulet, Ray Price and Mr. Johnny Tillotson are my favorite male vocalists. Each are to be equally esteemed in their own distinctive ways. It was wonderful to hear Mr. Tillotson give credit to God Almighty, "The Divine Architect of the Universe and Creator of All Things." I sincerely believe that God has blessed Mr. Tillotson with fine health, a solid family, a fabulous career and a resoundingly happy, long life. "I OWE TO GOD THE GIFTS THAT WERE BESTOWED UPON ME, TO GOD ALONE. WITHOUT HIM, I AM NOTHING." Sergei Vasilievitch Rachmaninoff. 🌠Milton Moore🌠 🎆Las Vegas, Nv.🎆
Bless you Johnny. You probably won't even notice this post, but "Poetry In Motion" was one of the first songs that really resonated with me as a teenager. Hearing you talk about how you got started and what inspired you is a privilege, and you still sound as good as you ever did. Thank you so much.
I met Johnny when I was very young and he worked at the Wynn Dixie off Main St at 15th. Many times he carried my mother’s groceries because we lived half a block away. He was a teenager and I has a big crush on him and it hasn’t changed. Love you Johnny and love the music.
Wow, I remember the first time I heard you sing, Talk Back Trembling Lips, I was 13 back in 1963. I just listened to your interview and was blown away with all the songs you did. Thank you, gonna listen to some more now.
In June of 1962, at eleven years old, I was asked to sing and play guitar at my elementary school graduation in Toronto. My mom suggested I sing The Young Ones by Cliff Richard and the Shadows. However, I wanted to sing Without You, and that's what I did. I still have the program for that event. I was really nervous, but I really wanted to sing like Johnny Tillotson.
You are a great guy ,enjoyed this I grew up in Jacksonville and have liked your music from the beginning, I was at that big show you talked about the first time Elvis Presley came to town .talked to you on the side walk in New York City.1964.keep it up
My dad used to play your songs when I was a kid. I. Particularly love Poetry in Motion ❤I still play it every now and then ❤️one of the best songs ever ❤️😊
