Mel Tillis

Don Kuhn · Post by **Don Kuhn** » 19 Nov 2017 8:36 am

It's being reported that Mel Tillis past away this morning at age 85. Prayers for the Tillis family.

Charlie Hansen · Post by **Charlie Hansen** » 19 Nov 2017 8:48 am

https://countryrebel.com/blogs/videos/c ... s-has-died

Jeff Harbour · Post by **Jeff Harbour** » 19 Nov 2017 9:04 am

Huge loss... Not only for his own career as a performer, but for many many hits for other artists that most people aren't even aware that he wrote.

Barry Coker · Post by **Barry Coker** » 19 Nov 2017 9:27 am

I saw Mel 40 years ago in concert with Conway and Loretta. He was not only a singer and song writer but an Entertainer many may claim that but he truly was still in my memory one of the best concerts I ever attended. RIP Mel our loss will be heaven gain.

Jack Stanton · Post by **Jack Stanton** » 19 Nov 2017 9:50 am

Saw Mel at the Lone Star Café in NYC, must have been close to 30 years ago. Paul franklin was still on the road with him. Great band and Mel was at the top of his game. As Barry said, great songwriter, singer and performer. Another country legend gone.

Ron Sodos · Post by **Ron Sodos** » 19 Nov 2017 10:04 am

Had a chance to meet Mel in Branson thanx to my friend Terry Bethel. Mel was a remarkable artist and a true gentleman. He will be missed. RIP Mel Tillis!

Craig Stock · Post by **Craig Stock** » 19 Nov 2017 10:23 am

RIP Mel,

Back when I was young in the 70's, he was one of the first guys that I was exposed to as a country singer from movies and the soundtracks especially 'Coca Cola Cowboy. I have fond memories of that time and Mel's songs and voice bring it all back.

Thanks Mel!

John Brock · Post by **John Brock** » 19 Nov 2017 10:30 am

Another huge loss. I remember meeting Mel at Bobs fuelstop on the mile back in 74 or so. A wonderful person.RIP

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 19 Nov 2017 12:53 pm

Sad. Mel hadn't been in good health for a while. He was living at his home near Ocala, Fl (Ocklawaha), about 30 miles from me. He passed away at an Ocala,Fl hospital.

Don Kuhn · Post by **Don Kuhn** » 19 Nov 2017 2:30 pm

Had the pleasure to see and meet Mel and Mel Jr. aka as Sonny. in May of 2016 at the Horseshoe Casino in Louisiana. I have always liked his music and especially the one Who's Julie.

Tommy Shown · Post by **Tommy Shown** » 19 Nov 2017 4:09 pm

I wish I could say I have seen him in person but I cannot but I was fan of his music. I am really saddened by his passing.Just as I was of George Jones's passing.

RIP Melvin, may you rest high on that mountain
Tommy Shown

Godfrey Arthur · Post by **Godfrey Arthur** » 19 Nov 2017 5:22 pm

Godspeed Mel.

You were a joy to watch and listen to.

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 19 Nov 2017 7:51 pm

What a talent! What a catalog! Thanks for all the great music.

Godfrey Arthur · Post by **Godfrey Arthur** » 19 Nov 2017 11:30 pm

Here's Mel in Cannonball Run with Terry Bradshaw featuring Burt Reynolds and slew of stars.

Cannonball Run with Tony Danza

And with Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Villain being Mel

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 19 Nov 2017 11:35 pm

I saw Mel Tillis at the Sonoma County Fair in the early 80's with Paul Franklin on steel. It was a great show and the first time I met Paul.

Mel was a consummate entertainer. His show was as perfect as a country show can be. I've always been a fan. He made a lot of people happy. God bless him.

Tommy Alexander · Post by **Tommy Alexander** » 20 Nov 2017 5:27 am

In the early 80's, Mel Tellis came to Alvin, Texas for a show at a place called "Bohickies"! Paul Franklin and all of the band; forgot the names of the band, but I got a chance to hang out with the guys, along with Paul, Mel's brother Richard and I had a great time for the day and had a chance to go and pick up Mel at the airport.
It was a delight to have lunch and hang out with all of the guys and after that, I had a chance to stay and watch the band work; that was the best time.
The greatest time to be around Mel and Richard; very funny guys to be with. I will always remember that.
It's very sad to loose a great singer and as a person also. Mel will be missed; "God Blessed"....

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 20 Nov 2017 7:38 am

This is really sad news. I remember having a front row seat in Mel's theater in Branson. What a great show he put on!

Another legend gone. Thanks, Mr. Mel for all the great music.

Walter Stettner
Vienna, Austria

Sonny Jenkins · Post by **Sonny Jenkins** » 20 Nov 2017 8:40 am

Yes,,another legend gone!!!,,,one that was in the upper crust of greats!!!

By far my favorite CD is one that was given to me with a rather dubious history behind it. Don't know how much truth there is to it, but back in the early 80s (when Paul was with Mel) plans were made to do a "live" recording,,,,I've heard different stories as to the venue,,,from opry house to panther hall. Anyway,,,due to a mix up in the contract signing/agreement, it supposedly not released,,,,rumored to have been several law suits etc. Anyway,,,somehow the show was in fact inadvertently recorded and some copies "leaked" out. I was given the CD by a friend of a friend of a friend (etc) that was reportedly in the recording booth.

Anyway, it is not like the other "live" recordings and as I said,,,it is by far the most listened to (AND TREASURED!!) CD in my collection,,,, a young Paul Franklin is ALL OVER it demonstrating (IMO) how steel guitar is supposed to sound.!!!!

May Mr. Melvin Tillis rest in eternal peace,,,,

George Redmon · Post by **George Redmon** » 20 Nov 2017 2:17 pm

What country music is suppose to sound like. He will be missed.

Bill L. Wilson · Post by **Bill L. Wilson** » 20 Nov 2017 10:02 pm

Fronted a show in Clinton Oklahoma many moons ago with Mel. Got him to sign my strap.

Mitch Drumm · Post by **Mitch Drumm** » 20 Nov 2017 10:32 pm

He has about 350 songs under his name at BMI:

http://repertoire.bmi.com/Catalog.aspx? ... 91&subid=0

Of which I remember:

All right, I'll sign the papers
Bopalena
Burning Memories
Detroit City
Heart Over Mind
Honky tonk song
I ain't never
I'm tired
Juke Box Man
Kissing your picture
Let's walk away strangers
Mary don't you weep
Mental revenge
No love have I
One more time
Petrified
Ruby don't take your love to town
Sawmill
Snakes crawl at night
Stateside
Stonin' around
Stop the world
Ten thousand drums
Tupelo county jail
Unmitigated gall
Walk on boy
Wall of tears
Wandering boy
Wine

Lotsa Price, Pierce, and Faron songs there.

Not many writers can match that catalog. There was a time when I would see the names "Tillis-Walker" on half the 45 labels I looked at.

His earliest recordings, pre-1965, are very strong. I think there is a CD out there that compiles them. Maybe the best version I ever heard of "Heart Over Mind", with apologies to Ray.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1TCnzuJcj8

Don't know who that steel is.

Sonny Jenkins · Post by **Sonny Jenkins** » 21 Nov 2017 7:31 am

Hey Mitch,,,,that list /link just about says it all!!! Maybe Jimmy Day on steel???

Not sure how long Paul was with Mel but I would think that that period played a huge role in where Paul is today,,,JMHO.

Tim Sergent · Post by **Tim Sergent** » 21 Nov 2017 7:42 am

Mel told me one time that at one point out of the top 50 songs on the radio he had 18 of them. That's a pretty good percentage

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 21 Nov 2017 8:51 am

In 2002 Pam Tillis recorded a whole album of her father's songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R07uOi7Jh3s

Sonny Jenkins · Post by **Sonny Jenkins** » 21 Nov 2017 9:42 am

As sooooo many talented people,,,,Mel was exceptionally talented,,,,,his art work,

http://meltillis.com/giftshop/artwork.asp

sad, but most people don't realize what a loss,,,,what a loss!!!

And to many of us Mel was an outstanding representative of our Masonic brotherhood,,,,

The Steel Guitar Forum

Mel Tillis

Mel Tillis

RIP Mel

Rest in Peace Mel Tillis

Mel

Mel Tellis

R.i.p. Mel.