RIP - Mel Tillis at 85

Very sad to read this; truly a consummate entertainer and a terrific gentleman. He is also a world class songwriter.

Country Music Hall of Famer Mel Tillis dead at 85

 

He's had several great shuffle beat songs in his career, stuff like "I Ain't Never" & "I'm Tired", which were great career boosts for Webb Pierce. "Where Love Has Died" for Kapp and "Thank You For Being You" for MGM are my two single favorites. RIP.

 

I loved his singing. He was very brave with his stuttering that went away when he sang. He seemed like a truly nice and very talented.

RIP Mel

 

RIP Mel. You will always be one of the best country singer-songwriters to have ever lived.

 

A true country music legend, great writer, great voice.

Country Music Hall of Famer Mel Tillis dead at 85

 

Rrrr Rrrr Rrrr Rest in Ppp Ppp Ppp Peace Mel.

 

A major songwriter. He said once that you only have so many songs in you and once the well runs dry, that's it. There won't be any more. If that's true, some songwriters have deeper wells than others, and Mel's was pretty deep.

 

Yep, definitely a legend. I saw him in Las Vegas years ago and enjoyed the show. Rest In Peace, Mr. Tillis.

 

I read about this a few minutes ago on ABC News. I knew when I saw it on this forum that some dumb-a$$ comedian would use it as an opportunity to make fun of the stutter.
Not funny in a thread like this.

 

Well, probably not the time for it.

But Mel made fun of it himself:

Mel Tillis And The The Statesiders (2) - M-M-Mel Live

 

I met one of his daughters, Pam ?, back in the 70s while living in Nashville and funny thing...she did NOT have a speech impediment.

I used to think Mel's was fake...but nope...he just went along with it and it added to his persona....even though many made fun of it. Well.....he made fun with it !

 

Hey....he made fun of his own stuttering. I have only repect and reverance for the man.

 

RIP Mel, thank you for the music!



and yeah saw him in a film or two with Burt Reynolds back in the day.

 

I guarantee you no one in his family would have an issue with anyone bringing up the stuttering, and he'd probably give a thumbs up from beyond. He had no issue with it, it was who he was. He even called his book "Stutterin' Boy."

 

R.I.P. Mel

 

Mel is one of country music's true American icons and will be missed by not only family and friends, but everybody.

 

Awww shame, great singer and songwriter.

 

A lot of great songs. RIP

 

Those of us who grew up in Texas in the 70s will always associate him with Whattaburger commercials

 

RIP

 

RIP. An often unheralded songwriter, as well as one of my dad's favourite country singers.

 

Sad

One of the first records that I ever played on the radio, way back in 1981 at a small little 500 watt Country AM radio station, was this one ...