Mel Tillis

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Mel Tillis (2007)

Lonnie Melvin "Mel" Tillis (born August 8, 1932 in Tampa , † November 19, 2017 in Ocala ) was an American country singer and songwriter who celebrated chart successes in the 1960s and 1970s. His trademark was a pronounced stuttering, which is not noticeable when singing.

Beginnings

Mel Tillis grew up in Pahokee, Florida . He started stuttering at the age of three. The cause is assumed to be malaria or contact with a stuttering neighbor boy. His handicap stayed with him all his life and even became his trademark; He called his autobiography Stutterin 'Boy , his private plane Stutter One , and a long-playing record was named MM-Mel .

He started playing guitar and violin at an early age. In the school band he was a drummer. Although he was highly talented, he first decided to pursue a career as a football player. The attempt to receive pilot training with the US Air Force failed because of his speech impediment. But he stayed with the Air Force and did his military service in Okinawa , Japan . In 1955 he briefly studied at a college and then got by with odd jobs. In 1956 he appeared in Nashville with some self-written songs , but initially failed to gain a foothold in the local country scene and returned to Florida.

Career

He took his first important career step in 1957 when Webb Pierce reached number three on the country charts with his song I'm Tired . Encouraged by the success, he finally moved to Nashville with his pregnant wife. With the Columbia label he received a record deal. His first single wasn't a success, but Webb Pierce's B-side song , Honky Tonk Song , made it to number one. Tillis first appeared in the charts in 1958 with The Violet and a Rose . In the following years he was able to place himself in the middle of the country charts several times. Web Pierce, on the other hand, who still enjoyed recording Mel Tillis songs, was more successful with it. Others like George Morgan or Ray Price also achieved hits with his songs. In the mid-1960s he co-wrote the Bobby Bare classic Detroit City .

In 1966 Tillis switched to the Kapp label. With Stateside , Life Turned Her That Way and Goodbye Wheeling he was able to make it into the top 20 several times. He then wrote another classic, Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town , which was first released in 1967 and with which Kenny Rogers had a world hit in 1969. The 1970s became his most successful decade. After several top 10 successes, he had his first number 1 hit in 1972 with I Ain't Never . Five more top hits and several top 10 placements followed by the end of the decade. He also appeared in several films. In 1976 he was elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and was named CMA Entertainer of the Year.

In the 1980s, its success gradually waned. In 1981 he drew attention again with a few duets with Nancy Sinatra . Despite frequent label changes, there were no chart placements. Others continued to have top hits with his songs. From the mid-1980s, his daughter Pam Tillis built on his successes. His achievements as a businessman and investor are also noteworthy. He was involved in several music publishers. In 1998 he became Honorary Chairman of the Stuttering Foundation of America.

Discography (selection)

  • 1962 - Heart Over Mind and Other Big Country Hits (Columbia)
  • 1966 - Stateside (Kapp)
  • 1967 - Life Turned Her That Way (Kapp)
  • 1967 - Mr. Mel (Kapp)
  • 1968 Let Me Talk to You (Kapp)
  • 1968 Something Special (Kapp)
  • 1969 - Who's Julie (Kapp)
  • 1969 - Mel Tillis Sings Old Faithful
  • 1970 - She'll Be Hanging 'Round Somewhere
  • 1970 - One More Time (MGM)
  • 1971 - The Arms of a Fool (MGM)
  • 1971 - Live at the Sam Houston Coliseum (MGM)
  • 1971 - Living & Learning / Take My Hand (MGM)
  • 1972 - Would You Want The World to End? (MGM)
  • 1972 - I Ain't Never / Neon Rose (MGM)
  • 1973 - Mel Tillis & The Statesiders on Stage (MGM)
  • 1973 - Sawmill (MGM)
  • 1974 - Let's Go All the Way Tonight (MGM)
  • 1974 - Stomp Them Grapes (MGM)
  • 1975 - Best Way I Know How (MGM)
  • 1975 - MM-Mel (MGM)
  • 1976 - Love Revival (MCA)
  • 1977 - Heart Healer (MCA)
  • 1977 - Love's Troubled Waters (MCA)
  • 1978 - I Believe In You (MCA)
  • 1979 - Are You Sincere (MCA)
  • 1979 - Mr. Entertainer (MCA)
  • 1979 - Me And Peppe (Electra)
  • 1980 - Your Body Is an Outlaw (Electra)
  • 1980 - Southern Rain (Electra)
  • 1981 - Mel & Nancy (Electra)
  • 1982 - It's a Long Way to Daytona (Electra)

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Tillis, Mel
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Tillis, Lonnie Melvin (maiden name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American country singer and songwriter
DATE OF BIRTH August 8, 1932
PLACE OF BIRTH Tampa , Florida
DATE OF DEATH 19th November 2017
Place of death Ocala , Florida