Jerry Fuller dead at 85: Songwriter who penned hits Travelin' Man and Young Girl passed away from lung cancer complications

Legendary songwriter and producer Jerry Fuller has died at the age of 85.

Fuller passed away on Thursday at his home in Sherman Oaks following complications from lung cancer, his publicist Bobbi Marcus told The Hollywood Reporter. 

He is survived by his wife, Annette Smerigan and their children, Adam Lee and Anna Nicole. 

Fuller's hits include 'Travelin' Man,' for Ricky Nelson, 'Young Girl,' for Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, 'Show and Tell,' for Al Wilson and 'Little Green Apples' for O.C. Smith.  

Following his death Puckett shared in a statement, 'What can I say about a guy whose vision defined my musical identity and destiny. What can ANYONE say about a man who gave SO much to SO many through his talents and efforts in the world of music. Thank you, Jerry! The world was a better place with you in it.' 

Legendary songwriter and producer Jerry Fuller has died at the age of 85. Fuller passed away on Thursday at his home in Sherman Oaks following complications from lung cancer

Songwriter Diane Warren paid her respects on Twitter, writing, 'Write In Power Jerry Fuller. Thank U for the great songs that helped paint my childhood.' 

Photojournalist Tom Fergus shared a snap of him and Fuller, writing they had met at a golf tournament and that he was 'such a kind man.' Another fan posted a throwback snap of Fuller with Nelson and Campbell. 

Fuller penned over 1,100 songs. Artists who recorded his work include Cher, Ray Charles, Reba McEntire, Bobby Vee, James Darren, Gene Vincent, Lawrence Welk, Lou Rawls, The Kingston Trio, The Ventures, Don McLean, Frankie Laine, and Vanessa Williams among many others. 

Fuller's collaboration with Puckett began with the million-selling 'Woman, Woman' in 1967.

He went on to write and produce three more chart-topping hits for Puckett & the Union Gap, including the iconic 'Young Girl,' propelling them to outsell The Beatles in 1968.

Fuller also discovered Glen Campbell in 1960, convincing him to relocate to Los Angeles.

Campbell then assisted Fuller in demoing 'Travelin’ Man,' originally intended for Sam Cooke.

However, Ricky Nelson's rendition of the song became a number-one hit in 1961. Nelson would go on to record 19 songs penned by Fuller, including classics like 'Young World' and 'Congratulations.'

Campbell also introduced him to his wife, Annette. Campbell served as best man at the pair's wedding. 

Fuller also produced O.C. Smith's No. 2 hit 'Little Green Apples' in 1968 and wrote and produced Al Wilson's chart-topping 'Show and Tell' in 1974. 

His hits include 'Travelin' Man,' for Ricky Nelson, 'Young Girl,' for Gary Puckett, 'Show and Tell,' for Al Wilson and 'Little Green Apples' for O.C. Smith; Seen circa 1970

He is survived by his wife, Annette and their children, Adam and Anna; Fuller seen circa 1970

Fuller was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 19, 1938, and was one of four siblings.

His musical journey began early. He performed as half of the Fuller Bros. duo with his brother Bill in local minstrel shows and jamborees.

After he graduated high school in 1957, he embarked on a solo career, releasing his debut album, 'Teenage Love,' a year later.

Fuller moved to Los Angeles in 1959, where he worked as a demo singer, and later got a recording-songwriting contract with Gene Autry’s Four Star Music and Challenge Records.

His initial releases for the label included 'Betty My Angel' and the classic 'Tennessee Waltz.' 

Fuller's path took an unexpected turn when he was drafted into the U.S. Army, and spent two years serving his country stationed in upstate New York. There, he continued to write music and entertain his fellow soldiers.

Following his time in the service he went to work for Four Star and was visiting a nightclub in Albany when he discovered the house band, the Knickerbockers, and signed them to a contract. He produced the band's hit song 'Lies.' 

Fuller also worked with Mark Lindsay, with hit song 'Arizona' reaching the top 10.

In the 1970s, Fuller formed his own companies, Moonchild Productions Inc. and Fullness

Music Company, and worked for Columbia, signing Mac Davis.

Songwriter Diane Warren paid her respects on Twitter, writing, 'Write In Power Jerry Fuller. Thank U for the great songs that helped paint my childhood'

Photojournalist Tom Fergus shared a snap of him and Fuller on Twitter, writing they had met at a golf tournament and that he was 'such a kind man'

Another fan posted a snap of Fuller with Rick Nelson and Glen Campbell 

He later moved into country music. He worked with Ray Price on 'That’s All She Wrote,' 'To Make A Long Story Short' and 'Feet,', as well as with Reba McEntire on 'I Still Long To Hold You Now and Then' and 'That Makes Two Of Us.'

His biggest success at the time was Al Wilson's 'Show And Tell,' which was named Cashbox’s Single of the Year for 1973 and reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

After his prolific songwriting and producing years, he returned to being a recording artist, and released a solo album titled 'It's My Turn Now' in 1979.

Later, in the late 1990s, he recorded his own interpretations of his hits, creating a four-volume series titled 'From the Vault,' released between 2016 and 2018.