Posted on 11/20/2017 3:47:53 AM PST by Hillarys Gate Cult
Country music singer Mel Tillis, whose six-decade career included hits such as “I Ain’t Never” and “Coca Cola Cowboy” and who never let his stutter get in the way of him becoming a legend, died on Sunday, his publicist confirmed. He was 85.
Tillis passed away at Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Fla., his publicist Don Murry Grubbs said. The music legend is believed to have died from respiratory failure after he never recovered from intestinal issues he has been battling since 2016. He leaves behind his longtime partner, Kathy DeMonaco, his six children and six grandchildren.
Tillis recorded more than 60 albums and had 35 top ten singles in his decades-long career. His 1979 “Coca-Cola Cowboy” was one of his biggest hits, along with “Southern Rains” in 1980 and “I Believe in You” in 1978.
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"It's that time of year when that famous man says ho, ho, ho. Mel Tillis trying to get a hotel room."
- Johnny Carson ( near Christmas )
LOL! Rest in Peace Mel Tillis.
Nashville will give you a good send off.
While not a strong lover of Country Music, how can one NOT RESPECT a man like Mr Tillis who overcame his handicap with humor and good grace! R.I.P. and go to God, Mr Tillis.
I dont think he was actually married... but he sure had a lot of kids! RIP to a great writer of songs.
Mel was big in Country music some decades ago and he sang some pretty edgy lyrics like “I got the hoss and she got the saddle” and “you make me feel every inch a man”.
Great lines for a sexual harassment case in today’s culture.
” You walked across my heart like it was Texas”
Great stuff!
The Matterhorn was very popular in the bluegrass world, first covered by The Country Gentlemen. About an ill-fated group of mountain climbers.
Mel is an inspiration to all. He never let his speaking handicap get in the way of achieving great success. It just shows you how fierce determination can overcome adversity. What was interesting with Mel’s stuttering was that he had difficulty speaking extemporaneously, but never when he was singing the lyrics of a song. He took it all in stride.
Mel Tillis bought me a couple PBRs at Rosie O’Gradys in Orlando about 35 years ago. I was stationed at the Navy Training Center at the time.
One of the last generation. He was a great talent who overcame adversity.
RIP, Mmmmel.
I remember that Mel Tillis did a Whatabuger commercial when I was a kid; he advertised their nickel cup of coffee. You bought the mug up front and then the refills were always just a nickel when you brought it back with you.
Tillis always seemed like a good guy.
I LOVED Cannonball Run.
To this day, when someone asks if we have enough of this or that, I often reply “P-P-P-Plentee”
A World Class story teller.
RIP, Mel! You were a fffu, ffu, ffu, funny guy!
RIP Mel Tillis. You were one of the greats!
Rest in peace Mel Tillis.
I remember him being interviewed and stuttering like a misfiring hot rod and then singing w/o a hint of a slip. Started patronizing Whataburger when he invested himself in it.
A former boss of mine was Mel Tillis’ best friend from when they grew up together around Lake Okeechobee.
They would often visit together.....................
RIP. One of the greats. This seems to have been a rough year for the greats.
When I was going to school at the University of Nebraska back in the late 80’s, we lived next door to a little widow who claimed that she and her husband would go to some lake with Mel Tillis and he would sit on the bank and write songs. Apparently, Mel and this lady’s husband were in the Air Force together and would hang out during off duty.
About 10 years ago, I got an email address for Mel and I asked him if this was a true story. He answered back and said yes.
MFO
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