Johnny Tillotson, the beloved American singer-songwriter whose silky voice and appeal made him a 1960s teen idol, has died at the age of 86, his wife confirmed.

Tillotson passed away on April 1 at his home in Los Angeles, California, due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. His wife of 45 years, Nancy Tillotson, announced the news on her Facebook page, expressing her love and appreciation for her late husband.

“He was the sweetest, kindest man, and a gentleman through and through,” Nancy wrote in her heartfelt tribute.

Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Tillotson began performing as a child before launching his professional music career in 1958. His breakthrough came in 1960 with the release of “Poetry in Motion,” a catchy tune that climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in the United States and reached No. 1 in the United Kingdom.

Tillotson’s impressive career spanned five decades, during which he amassed an impressive catalog of hits. He followed his initial success with “Without You” in 1961, which peaked at No. 7 on the U.S. charts. Other notable hits included “Talk Back Trembling Lips,” “You Can Never Stop Me Loving You,” and “It Keeps Right On a-Hurtin'” – the latter being covered by music legends Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, and Elvis Presley.

Throughout his career, Tillotson achieved remarkable success on multiple music charts. He tallied 25 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, including four top 10 hits. His versatility as an artist was evident in his ability to cross genre boundaries, with five hits on Hot Country Songs, two on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and nine entries on the Adult Contemporary chart.

The talented musician received two Grammy nominations during his career. His self-penned hit “It Keeps Right On a-Hurtin'” earned him a nomination for Best Country and Western Recording at the 5th Grammy Awards. Three years later, his rendition of “Heartaches by the Number” garnered him another nomination at the 8th Grammy Awards.

Tillotson’s impact on the music industry extended beyond his chart success. He was credited as one of the forerunners in popularizing country music within the pop field, helping to bridge the gap between the two genres. His composition “It Keeps Right On a-Hurtin'” has been recorded by over 110 artists, cementing his legacy as a songwriter.

The music industry recognized Tillotson’s contributions with several accolades throughout his life. He was inducted into America’s Pop Music Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2011.

Tillotson continued to create music even in his later years. Days before his passing, he released a new song titled “Everything I Touch Turns to Blue,” demonstrating his enduring passion for music.

Beyond his musical talents, Tillotson was known for his genuine appreciation of his fans. Nancy highlighted this aspect of her husband’s character in her announcement, thanking fans for their unwavering support throughout his career.

His international appeal was equally impressive, with six No. 1 international hits and hundreds of charted records worldwide. Tillotson recorded in five different languages and had hits in numerous countries around the world. His music has been featured in various television shows, movies, and commercials, further extending his cultural impact.

Tillotson’s last full album, simply titled “Johnny Tillotson,” was released in 1977, though he continued to perform for decades afterward. He remained a favorite on the nightclub circuit and at casinos and hotels in his later years, maintaining a loyal live following.

He is survived by his wife Nancy, his brother Dan, his son John, his stepdaughter Genevieve, and his grandchildren Nia, Jackson, Georgia, and Gwyneth.