I was looking at a picture of my friends that joined me for my 70th Birthday, in Ohio. We had a Can/Am Tournament (the Canadian’s won) but nobody really cared because we had such an enjoyable time. In this tournament was John and Donna O’Driscoll of London, Ontario. Now John is a really good golfer, but about a year ago we went through agony regarding a singer and songs. John grew up in Montreal, so he was exposed to different music (he says) but he could not remember the name of a singer and he would get the songs wrong. Well after a few rounds of the discussing this over and over, I figured it out for him. This is not one of my favourite singers, although there is one song I really enjoy.
So John, enjoy, this is just for you!
Born April 20, 1939 in Jacksonville Florida
Johnny Tillotson
Video:
1. Why Do I Love You So/ Cadence/ 1959 (My Favourite)/ #42
2. Poetry In Motion/ Cadence 1384/ October 1960/ #2
3. Jimmy’s Girl/ Cadence 1391/ February 1961/ #25
4. Without You ( my other favourite)/ Cadence 1404/ #7
5. Dreamy Eyes (re-issue)/ Cadence 1409/ January 1962/ #35
6. It Keeps Right on A-Hurtin’/ Cadence1418/ May 1962/ #3
7. Send me the Pillow that you Dream On/ Cadence 1424/ August 1962/ #17
8. I Can’t Help It (if I’m still in love with you)/ Cadence 1432/ November 1962/ #24
9. Out Of My Mind/ Cadence 1434/ March 1963/ #24
10. You Can Never Stop me Loving You/ Cadence/ 1437/ August 1964/ #18
11. Talk Back Trembling Lips/ MGM 13181/ November 1963/ #7
12. I Rise, I Fall/ MGM 13232/ June 1964/ # 36
13. She Understands Me/ MGM 13284/ November 1964/ #31
14. Heartaches by the Number/ MGM 13376/ October 1965/ #35
Johnny’s first professional appearance was a guest spot on Toby Dowdy’s TV Show. His big break came when Lee Rosenberg, owner of Southern Bell music, heard him on a Pet Milk Talent Show in Nashville and arranged for an audition with Archie Bleyer, the president of Cadence Records. This resulted in a recording contract and his first release in late 1958 “Well I’m your Man“ was not overly successful. But a disk jockey turned it over and the B side was a hit “Dreamy Eyes“. His biggest selling record of all time would be “Poetry in Motion“.
