Los Angeles (CelebrityAccess) — Jerry FowlerThe Fuller Brothers, songwriter, singer and producer best known as one of West Coast soul duo, has died. He is 85 years old.
Fuller died of complications from lung cancer on July 18 at his home in Los Angeles, according to a statement from Fuller’s publicist.
Fuller was born into a musical family in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1938. His mother, Lola Fuller, taught him to sing, and by the age of 11 he was singing with his brother Bill. Performing and recording as The Fuller Bros.
In 1959, he moved to Los Angeles, where he worked as a demo singer and signed recording contracts with Gene Autry’s Four Star Music and Challenge Records. Early singles included “Betty My Angel” and the rocker “Tennessee Waltz,” both of which entered the Billboard Hot 100.
In 1961, Fuller wrote the hit song “Travelin’ Man”, originally planned for Sam Cooke but later adapted into a 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 stint in the U.S. Army, Fuller moved to Manhattan to assume leadership of Challenge Record’s Gotham office, where he signed bands such as The Knickerbockers.
While touring with the Champs Elysées, Fuller recognized band member Glen Campbell’s talent and helped convince him to move to Los Angeles, where he found work as a musician and began 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 on projects including Woman, Woman, Young Girl, Lady Willpower and Over “You” works” and so on.
In the 1970s, Fuller founded his own businesses, 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.
