Singer-songwriter Jerry Fuller, died at the age of 85

LOS ANGELES (Celebrity Access) — Jerry Fullera songwriter, singer and producer best known as one half of the West Coast soul duo The Fuller Brothers has died. He was 85 years old.

According to a statement from his publicist, Fuller died on July 18 at his home in Los Angeles from complications of lung cancer.

Fuller was born into a musical family in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1938. His mother, Lola Fuller, taught him to sing. At the age of eleven, he was already performing and recording with his brother Bill as The Fuller Bros.

In 1959, he moved to Los Angeles, where he worked as a demo singer and landed a recording contract with Gene Autry’s Four Star Music and Challenge Records. His early singles include “Betty My Angel” and a rockabilly version of “Tennessee Waltz,” both of which reached the Billboard Hot 100.

In 1961, Fuller wrote the hit “Travelin’ Man,” which was originally intended for Sam Cooke but was later made into a huge hit by Ricky Nelson. Nelson recorded 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 moved to Manhattan to head the Gotham office of Challenge Records, where he signed bands such as The Knickerbockers.

While touring with The Champs, Fuller recognized the talent of band member Glen Campbell and helped convince him to move to Los Angeles, where he found work as a session musician and launched a solo career.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Fuller focused on his work as a producer, working with artists such as Gary Puckett and The Union Gap. His credits include “Woman, Woman,” “Young Girl,” “Lady Willpower,” and “Over You.”

In the 1970s, Fuller founded his own companies, Moonchild Productions Inc. and Fullness Music Company, and worked with artists such as Johnny Mathis, Mac Davis, Ray Price and Reba McEntire.

Jerry leaves behind his wife Annette Fuller and their children Adam Lee and Anna Nicole.