Terry “Buzzy” Johnson, the legendary R&B singer and arranger who helped craft one of the most enduring doo-wop classics of all time, died on October 8. He was 86.

No cause of death has been reported for the Baltimore native who became synonymous with The Flamingos’ haunting 1959 rendition of “I Only Have Eyes for You.”

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced Johnson’s passing, noting that the doo-wop legends took listeners higher with their sublime harmonies and impeccable arrangements. The organization emphasized that Johnson, who joined as tenor and lead vocalist, guitarist and arranger in 1958, helped The Flamingos craft a sophisticated sound like no other vocal group.

Johnson’s musical journey began in Baltimore, where he formed The Whispers in 1954. The group recorded for Gotham Records out of Philadelphia before Johnson’s path led him to join The Flamingos, where he would leave his most lasting mark on popular music.

The defining moment of Johnson’s career came with his arrangement and co-production of “I Only Have Eyes for You” in 1959. Originally written for the 1934 musical “Dames,” the song found new life under Johnson’s creative vision. According to reports, Johnson was struck by divine inspiration in the early hours of the morning and immediately summoned his co-creators to the studio.

Johnson directed the session musicians to play guitar, piano and soft brushstrokes of percussion in a stretched-out triplet rhythm. The recording, later wreathed in reverb during the mastering stage, transformed the earthly love song into something ethereal and timeless.

The arrangement initially faced resistance. Johnson recalled that his bandmates and record executives thought the approach was corny and weird. George Goldner, president of End Records, was reportedly upset with the unconventional arrangement, telling Johnson it wasn’t a 1950s song. However, when DJs heard the album, they all chose “I Only Have Eyes for You” over the intended single release “Goodnight Sweetheart.”

Johnson’s instincts proved correct. The Flamingos’ version of “I Only Have Eyes for You” ranked 158th on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, first published in 2004. The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2003 and has been streamed over 100 million times on Spotify.

The song’s influence extends far beyond its original era. Recent data from A2D2 shows the classic has been used over 150,000 times on TikTok, finding new life with Generation Z users who appreciate its romantic overtones and atmospheric quality. The track has appeared in Netflix’s “The Crown” and continues to be featured in film trailers and television shows.

Following The Flamingos’ hit-making years, Johnson’s career took another significant turn. In the 1960s, Smokey Robinson recruited Johnson to join the staff at Motown, where he worked with legendary acts including the Temptations, the Four Tops and the Supremes. Johnson served as Robinson’s partner for 10 years, recording numerous artists and contributing to the Motown sound.

Johnson’s musical foundation was notably diverse. Raised on artists like Arthur Godfrey, Julius La Rosa, Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra rather than traditional rhythm and blues, he brought a unique perspective to The Flamingos. This background influenced the group’s repertoire, which included covers of songs by white artists like the Everly Brothers alongside their R&B material.

After The Flamingos split following their hit-making period, Johnson owned the trademark for the group’s name and continued touring with his version of The Flamingos well into the 21st century. He remained active as a performer, expressing his love for entertaining and connecting with audiences.

As recently as 2020, Johnson was still recording, having created a new version of “I Only Have Eyes for You” in Nashville. He described the enduring appeal of the song, noting that Johnson indicated that “love never dies, love never grows old.”

The Flamingos were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000, and the Doo-Wop Hall of Fame in 2001. Johnson’s death marks the loss of another original member of the group, following the earlier passing of Tommy Hunt, who died at age 91.

Johnson’s death contributes to what has been described as a heartbreaking year for the R&B world, with several legendary performers passing away in 2025. His legacy lives on through “I Only Have Eyes for You,” which continues to find new audiences and remains what many consider the definitive expression of yearning in popular music.