Rock and roll singer and songwriter with distinctive voice, highly regarded by the likes of
Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan. Perhaps best known for "
Only the Lonely", "Crying", and "Pretty Woman". Many of his songs focused on his emotions and feelings and had a slight tone of vulnerability, in contrast to the more masculine rock n'roll image at the time.
Stagnated in the 70's but returned shortly before his death in
'88 with "You got it".