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Johnny Tillotson, the singer behind Sixties hits “Poetry in Motion” and “It Keeps Right on A-Hurtin’,” has died at the age of 86.

Tillotson’s wife, Nancy, confirmed the news in a social media post, a day after his death. “It is with a broken heart that I write to let you know that the sweetest, kindest man I ever met Johnny Tillotson , left earth for Heaven yesterday,” she wrote in a caption alongside a photo of the two together. “He was my best beloved, Champion of my realm, Knight of my heart.

Johnny Tillotson, the 1960s chart-topping and Grammy-nominated singer of “Poetry in Motion,” died Tuesday. He was 86.

Tillotson’s wife, Nancy Tillotson, announced his death in a Wednesday Facebook post.

“It is with a broken heart that I write to let you know that the sweetest, kindest man I ever met Johnny Tillotson, left earth for Heaven yesterday,” Nancy wrote. “He was funny, generous and kind. A gentleman through and through. He loved and was grateful to his fans, as he once said, they made every dream I ever had come true.”

Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, Tillotson kicked off his music career in 1958 and swiftly found success in the industry two years later with the release of his hit track “Poetry in Motion.” The song peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and catapulted his career into the mainstream.

In 1962, he released “It Keeps Right on A-Hurtin’,” which earned him his first of two Grammy nominations.

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