Robert John, the talented singer-songwriter best known for his hit song “Sad Eyes,” has passed away at the age of 79. His son, Michael Pedrick, shared the sad news, confirming that his father died on February 24. The family has not disclosed the exact cause of death, but it’s known that John had been recovering from a stroke he suffered years earlier.
Michael remembered his father fondly, saying, “He was a really great dad.” Robert John gained fame with “Sad Eyes,” which first appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1979 and topped the charts just 20 weeks later. Reflecting on his success, John once admitted it felt surreal to see his name on the charts and that he never expected the ballad to be the album’s lead single.
Born in Brooklyn on January 3, 1986, John released his first record, “White Bucks and Saddle Shoes,” at just 12 years old. He began his career in the 1960s as the lead of a doo-wop group named Bobby & the Consoles in New York. He later adopted the stage name Robert John and achieved his first significant hit in 1968 with “If You Don’t Want My Love.”
Throughout the late ’60s and early ’70s, he worked as a producer and background singer, gaining more recognition with his cover of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” which climbed to No. 3 on the Hot 100. Despite his growing fame, he felt overlooked by record companies, stating that Atlantic Records didn’t support the idea of him releasing an entire album.
After a brief hiatus, he found new inspiration when producer George Tobin reached out to him in 1978. This collaboration led to the creation of “Sad Eyes,” which earned him a Grammy nomination for best pop vocal performance. John released a self-titled album in 1979, filled with pop-disco tracks, followed by his final album, Back on the Street, in the subsequent year.
In his later years, Robert John enjoyed a fulfilling life alongside his partner, Susan, and is survived by four sons and grandsons. His contribution to music will not be forgotten, and his legacy will continue through the hearts of his family and fans.
