If Only They Could Read Between the Lines

Category: News/Obituary

We've lost Mel Tillis.

The legendary Hall of Fame singer and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame songwriter died early this morning (11/19) in an Ocala, Florida hospital from respiratory failure.

Lonnie Melvin Tillis was born in Florida (in Tampa).  Her served in the US Air Force before embarking on a career that would see him write some of the most iconic songs in country (and pop) music.  Among his classics:  "I Ain't Never," "Detroit City," "(Sweet) Mental Revenge," and "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town." As a singer, he also made the charts with his own songs, and with songs from the pens of others.

Known for his stuttering (his autobiography was titled Stutterin' Boy), Tillis wrote in the liner notes of the posthumous Jim Reeves album Missing You that Reeves had offered to pay for Mel's speech therapy when Tillis was a newcomer to Nashville.  The speech impediment was real, although diminished (thanks to therapy).

Tillis had been in declining health for years.  In 2016 he underwent intestinal surgery and developed complications.  The complications may have contributed to his death.

The lyrics Mel Tillis has given us over the years will continue to amaze and inspire.  Consider how he detailed the paralyzed and impotent Vietnam veteran begging his wife not to cheat on him in "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town," or the heartbreak from the homesick and lonely man in "Detroit City": 

From the letters that I write they think I'm fine
But by day I make the cars, by night I make the bars
If only they could read between the lines

No need to "read between the lines" here.  Mel Tillis was a remarkable songwriter and talent, and he will be sorely missed.

Mel Tillis was 85.