Robert John

Robert John Pedrick Jr. (January 3, 1946 – February 24, 2025), known professionally as Robert John, was an American singer perhaps best known for his 1979 hit single, "Sad Eyes", which reached number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Life and career John was born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 3, 1946. Under the name of Bobby Pedrick, Jr., he first hit the pop chart in 1958 when he was only 12 years old with "White Bucks and Saddle Shoes", written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman. John also wrote the track "I Can't Move No Mountains" for jazz rock band Blood, Sweat and Tears, released on their 1972 album New Blood. The song was eventually released as a single but did not chart. Several years later, while working in construction in Long Branch, New Jersey, John was approached by George Tobin, a record producer and songwriter based in California, who wanted to produce a record for John. Tobin recalled in Fred Bronson's The Billboard Book of #1 Hits: "I had him come out and he lived in my house. He was actually a laborer in New Jersey at the time, carrying bricks on a construction job. I was looking for material for him and I heard a song called "My Angel Baby" (by Toby Beau) and said, 'That's the kind of song Robert should be doing.' So we used that as a frame of reference. Robert wrote 'Sad Eyes' and rewrote it for about three months. Every time he'd write it I'd go, 'Nah, change this and change that.' " Eventually signing with EMI America Records, John hit number one with "Sad Eyes",

Select discography Albums 1968: If You Don't Want My Love 1971: On the Way Up 1979: Robert John – US No. 68, CAN No. 81 1980: Back on the Street – US No. 205

Singles YearTitleChart positionsUSUS ACAustralia UKCAN1958"White Bucks and Saddle Shoes" (as Bobby Pedrick, Jr.)74———12 1963"My Jelly Bean" (as Bobby & The Consoles)————— 1968"If You Don't Want My Love"49——4221"Don't Leave Me"108————1970"When the Party is Over"71———60 1972"The Lion Sleeps Tonight"3 631—15"Hushabye"99———701979"Sad Eyes"1 109313"Only Time"10242———"Lonely Eyes"4149——801980"Hey There Lonely Girl"3110——81"Sherry"70————1983"Bread and Butter"68————1984"Greased Lightning"*————— "Greased Lightning" – peaked at No. 60 on the US Dance chart Source: