Robert John, Beloved ‘Sad Eyes’ Crooner, Dies at 79

Robert John, a singer-songwriter whose inimitable voice lent itself to a number of Billboard Hot 100 hits including “Sad Eyes” and an enduring version of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” died on Monday (Feb. 24). He was 79 years old.

The star’s son, Michael Pedrick, confirmed the news of his death to Rolling Stone. While no cause of death was given, John was still recovering from a stroke he suffered a few years prior to his passing.

Born Bobby Pedrick, Jr., in Brooklyn, New York, first made waves in the pop world at just 12 years old with the single, “White Bucks and Saddle Shoes.” The song peaked at No. 74 on the Hot 100 in 1958, marking his first of many hits on the chart. In 1965, he changed his name and by 1971, he notched a major hit, a cover of The Tokens’ 1961 classic, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” John’s version, one of the most popular renditions of the track to this day, made its way to No. 3 on the Hot 100 and No. 6 on the Adult Contemporary songs chart.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, John was a mainstay on the Billboard charts, hitting No. 49 with 1968’s “If You Don’t Want My Love,” No. 71 with 1970’s “When the Party Is Over,” and No. 99 with 1972’s “Hushabye.”

In 1979, after John worked as a staff writer for Motown for a few years, he topped the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart with his seminal hit, “Sad Eyes,” which also hit the top 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart. At the 22nd annual Grammy Awards, “Sad Eyes” was nominated for best pop vocal performance, male.

“Sad Eyes” was also featured on John’s third, self-titled album, which peaked at No. 68 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. His career continued throughout the 1980s, with the release of his last album, Back on the Street in 1980. Overall, John earned a collective 10 Hot 100 tracks and five Adult Contemporary hits.

John is survived by his four sons and several grandsons, his ex-wife Diane and his partner Susan.