Thursday, April 03, 2025

Johnny Tillotson and Val Kilmer: Tributes From A Singaporean Fan.

 

Johnny Tillotson and Val Kilmer

One was a singer, the other an actor. Both have left us on First April, 2025. 

Johnny Tillotson was famous for his good looks and pop hits that are being sung even today. These included, Poetry In Motion, Dreamy Eyes, Earth Angel, Judy, Judy, Judy and others. It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin', was another pop hit, that came up tops in 1962. He composed at least 12 songs since he started his career.

He began in 1958 with the song, Dreamy Eyes but came into prominence with Poetry In Motion. Although there were other holders to this song, his version was the most successful. 2 Grammy Awards, 112 artistes recorded, A-Hurtin' and 10s of millions of records sold.

He was a big scene in Singapore 60s with a huge following and his hits being sung at T-Dances, cabarets and nightclubs by local pop singers. The ladies love him with his own dreamy eyes and handsome features. In the early 80s, he was on a singing tour that included Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. 

He died at 86 years. "And it keeps right on a-hurtin' since you're gone..."

Johnny Tillotson: Poetry In Motion. 1974.
YouTube Video by: RGM304

Val Kilmer passed away at 65 on the same date and was in the forefront on the silver screen when he took the Bruce Wayne/Batman role in 1995 with Batman Forever. It became a financial success. His movies included, Top Gun, Tombstone, The Doors, Iceman and others. His last movie was in 2022, Top Gun: Maverick. 

Henry IV [1], Hamlet, As You Like It, are plays written by William Shakespeare and Kilmer appeared in these productions on Broadway around the 80's and 90's. A Shakespearean actor too! That meant a lot!

These two stars are personal favourites of mine and Tillotson, together with Presley, Humperdinck, Jones and Darin were the most influential pop singers that period. Kilmer, a personal opinion, with his rugged and tough guy looks had the suave and personality to be Batman and Hamlet; two entirely different scripts and roles to decipher and act out!

Rest In Peace Johnny Tillotson and Val Kilmer. 

Comments are welcome.

Val Kilmer

Val Kilmer: 'Batman Forever': 10/10 Movie Clip.
I Have A Riddle For You [1995] HD.
YouTube Video from: Movieclips

Disclaimer:

Informational extracts have been taken from the Internet but the article above is not AI generated but a personal composition and opinion. 

Images: Google.

20 comments:

CHIT CHAT said...

Andy Young
Hi DAISY, JENNIE and AMBROSE, you three are the first to arrive . Thanks. Do read their tributes

DAISY KOH said...

Koh Daisy
Love Poetry in Motion and Send Me the Pillow …Judy Judy Judy was a favourite twist number. He was a teen favourite.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Andy Young
Koh Daisy He was indeed. Thanks for sharing. Another pop star bites the dust.

GEORGE CHEW said...

RIP TILLOTSON

JIMMY CHNG said...

RIP J Tillotson... Mr Poetry in motion.

OLIVER BALASINGHAM said...

I use to like his "judy, Judy, Judy"...RIP Johnny

CHIT CHAT said...

Andy Young
ANN ROWENA and ROOP, thanks for the visit.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Andy Young
Hi JOHN KLASS, thanks for the visit. A few of his songs on your RADIO programme hopefully. Thank you.

FRED CHING said...

Fred Ching
I am so grateful I got to see him, as it was his last tour Johnny Tillotson performed in Singapore more than two decades ago. This makes me so sad, but also extremely happy that I got to see him live, one last time with his band and they are amazing. Thank you for sharing Brother Andy. JOHNNY TILLOTSON AND VAL KILMER RIP🌷🙏🌷..https://youtu.be/Ai3HU3bx-jU?si=0k-vdb9WRnHCnqiF

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Andy Young
Fred Ching thanks, you are welcome to do a write-up of his SG show anytime you wish. I have stopped counting on the number of pop concerts you have attended. 🙂

RONALD HO said...

Sad to hear. One of my fave singers.

MERLIN LIM said...

Yes, Gone but
Not Forgotten.
That Is Life,
Death Is On the Other Side Of The Same Coin. Thks Andy.

Cedric Collars said...

It is sad when we have to mourn the loss of people that helped in the shaping of our minds and emotions. RIP Val "Iceman" Kilmer and Johnny Tillotson. We will remember your sentimental songs, Johnny and Top Gun, Val. Rest in Peace 🙏

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thanks to all the above readers who wrote comments within the day. Appreciate it very much. Like Cedric mentioned, they 'helped in the shaping of our minds and emotions.'

TONY GOH said...

Oh RIP Johnny .. he was my idol in the early days
He’s in Good Hands now

RICHARD RAJOO said...

JOHNNY TILLOTSON* 🙏🏻 *R.i.P* [1-04-25.] “Poetry in Motion”
👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 Good Looking Dude,🙏🏻too🤷🏻❗

PETER CHEONG said...

Peter Cheong
My fav song was 'Judy Judy Judy'.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Andy Young
Peter Cheong hi, Yes that's a beautiful song indeed. There's another JUDY by Johnny Lion that I used to sing on stage. Thanks for checking in Peter.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Andy Young
Peter Cheong hi, Yes that's a beautiful song indeed. There's another JUDY by Johnny Lion that I used to sing on stage. Thanks for checking in Peter.

CHIT CHAT said...

THANKS TO THESE KIND PEOPLE
WHO SENT CONDOLENCES:

James Kwok
Fred Ching
Stephen Han
John Cher
Roop Singh
Ann Rowena Lim
Rose Khoo
John Klass
Yip Dick
Koh Daisy
Somkid Lakhawat
Jennie Law
Ambrose David
Peter Cheong
Ser Kiong Tan
Dot Robinson