LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess) — Jerry Fuller, a songwriter, singer, and producer, who was best known as one half of the West Coast soul duo, The Fuller Brothers, has died. He was 85.
According to a statement from his publicist, Fuller died on July 18th at his home in Los Angeles from complications of lung cancer.
Born in Forth Worth, Texas, in 1938 in a musical family, Fuller was taught to sing by his mother, Lola Fuller, and was performing and recording as The Fuller Bros. with his brother Bill by the time he was 11.
In 1959, he relocated to Los Angeles, where he worked as a demo singer, and secured a recording contract with Gene Autry’s Four Star Music and Challenge Records. Early singles include “Betty My Angel” and a rockabilly take on “Tennessee Waltz” which both landed on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 1961, Fuller wrote the hit “Travelin’ Man” which was originally planned for Sam Cooke but was later turned into a massive hit by Ricky Nelson. Nelson went on to record 19 of Fuller’s songs, including “Young World”, “It’s Up To You”, “A Wonder Like You” and “Congratulations”.
After a mandatory stint in the U.S. Army, Fuller relocated to Manhattan for a role leading Challenge Record’s Gotham office, where he signed bands such as The Knickerbockers.
While on a tour with The Champs, Fuller recognized the talent of band member Glen Campbell and helped to convince him to relocate to Los Angeles, where he found work as a session musician and launched a solo career.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Fuller focused on his work as a producer, working with artists such as Gary Puckett and The Union Gap with credits that include “Woman, Woman”, “Young Girl”, “Lady Willpower”, and “Over You”, among others.
In the 1970s, Fuller launched his own ventures, Moonchild Productions Inc., and Fullness Music Company, working with artists such as Johnny Mathis, Mac Davis, Ray Price, and Reba McEntire.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Annette Fuller and their children, Adam Lee and Anna Nicole.
