Jerrell Lee Fuller (November 19, 1938 – July 18, 2024) was an American songwriter, singer, and record producer, best known for writing several hit songs in the 1960s.

Jerry Fuller
Birth nameJerrell Lee Fuller
Born(1938-11-19)November 19, 1938
Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
DiedJuly 18, 2024(2024-07-18) (aged 85)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresCountry, pop, doo-wop, soul
OccupationsSongwriter, record producer
Years active1959–2018
LabelsChallenge Records, Columbia
Spouse
Annette Smerigan
(m. 1965)

Early life and career

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Jerrell Lee Fuller was born in Fort Worth, Texas on November 19, 1938, to a musical family.[1][2] He and his brother Bill performed as a duo in their home state, recording for the local Lin label, before Jerry branched out on his own and began writing his own material. In 1959, he moved to Los Angeles, California, and secured a performing contract with Challenge Records. His rockabilly version of "Tennessee Waltz" made No. 63 on the Billboard Hot 100, and earned him an invitation to appear on American Bandstand.[3][4]

In 1961, he wrote "Travelin' Man" which was originally intended for Sam Cooke. Ricky Nelson recorded it instead and the record sold six million copies worldwide. Fuller wrote 11 of Nelson's recordings, including the US Top 10 hits "A Wonder Like You", "Young World", and "It's Up to You".

Fuller toured as a featured singer with The Champs, whose other members included Glen Campbell, Jimmy Seals, and Dash Crofts, before a period in the U.S. Army.[1] On his return in 1963, Challenge / Four Star moved him to New York City to run its east coast operation. There he discovered a garage band, The Knickerbockers, and produced their 1965 hit "Lies" (Can No. 11).[3]

In 1967, he moved to Columbia Records as a producer. His first discovery was Gary Puckett and The Union Gap, whom he found in a San Diego bowling alley lounge. He wrote and produced the group's hits "Young Girl" (a UK No. 1; Can. No. 1), "Lady Willpower" (Can No. 1), and "Over You" (Can No. 5). He also produced Mark Lindsay, The Peanut Butter Conspiracy, and O.C. Smith, for whom he produced the hits "The Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp" (Can No. 20) and "Little Green Apples" (Can No. 6).[5] He remained with Columbia until 1971.[1]

In 1970 he started Moonchild production company, writing and producing the hit "Show and Tell" for Al Wilson in 1973 (Can No. 7).

In Fuller's later years, he recorded his own renditions of many of the songs he worked on, and released them in a three-volume album series between 2016 and 2018.[2]

Personal life and death

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In 1965, Fuller married Annette Smerigan, and they had two children; the couple had first been introduced by Glen Campbell.[1][2]

Fuller died from lung cancer at his home in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, on July 18, 2024, at the age of 85.[2]

Discography

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Albums

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Year Album Label
1960 Teenage Love Lin

Singles

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Year Single Chart Positions Album
US
[6]
US Country CAN
[7][8]
CAN Country
[9]
1959 "Betty My Angel" 90 Teenage Love
"Tennessee Waltz" 63 13
1961 "Guilty of Loving You" 94
"Shy Away" 71
1973 "Lazy Susan" 80 Singles only
1979 "Salt on the Wound" 98
"Lines" 90 60

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Traub, Alex (August 16, 2024). "Jerry Fuller, Writer of 'Young Girl' and Other Hit Songs, Dies at 85". The New York Times. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d Willman, Chris (July 20, 2024). "Jerry Fuller, Songwriter-Producer Whose Dozens of Hits Include 'Young Girl,' 'Travelin' Man' and 'Show and Tell,' Dies at 85". Variety. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "JerryFuller.com − Biography". Archived from the original on April 26, 2010.
  4. ^ "Jerry Fuller | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  5. ^ "The Fabulous Knickerbockers* − Lies". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  6. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2011). Top Pop Singles 1955–2010. Record Research, Inc. p. 343. ISBN 978-0-89820-188-8.
  7. ^ "CHUM Hit Parade − December 14, 1959".
  8. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles − July 28, 1973" (PDF).
  9. ^ "RPM Top 75 Country − July 7, 1979" (PDF).
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