Teen idol who sent millions of young girls weak at the knees with hits like ‘Julie, Do Ya Love Me’ died holding wife’s hand after 29-year marriage
He was the shaggy-haired dreamboat who plastered bedroom walls across Britain and America in the swinging sixties – but yesterday the music world mourned as Bobby Sherman finally lost his courageous fight against cancer.
The 81-year-old pop sensation, who captured hearts with his boyish charm and gentle voice, passed away Tuesday morning at his Los Angeles home, just three months after revealing his devastating stage 4 diagnosis.
In a heartbreaking tribute that’s left fans in floods of tears, his devoted wife Brigitte described how the star died peacefully while holding her hand – the same way he’d held their marriage together for nearly three decades.
I was his Cinderella, and he was my prince charming,” she revealed in an emotional Instagram post crafted with help from close friend John Stamos. “Even in his final days, he stayed strong for me. That’s who Bobby was—brave, gentle, and full of light.”
From teen screams to tragedy
It’s hard to imagine now, but back in 1969, Bobby Sherman was quite literally the biggest thing since sliced bread. His concerts were pandemonium – thousands of screaming teenage girls drowning out his silky vocals with their ear-splitting devotion.
The California native burst onto screens in ABC’s western series ‘Here Come the Brides’ before conquering the charts with gold-selling smashes that had youngsters swooning from Manchester to Miami.
Who could forget “Little Woman,” which rocketed to number three? Or the infectious “La La La (If I Had You)” that had kids humming along in playgrounds everywhere?
But it was “Julie, Do Ya Love Me” – that gloriously catchy earworm – that cemented his status as pop royalty. The track became his signature tune, one that fans of a certain vintage can still belt out word-perfect after a few sherries.
‘He soaked up every word with that sparkle in his eye’
Even as cancer ravaged his body, Sherman’s legendary sense of humour never dimmed. According to Brigitte, the star spent his final days cracking “well-timed jokes” and maintaining that famous twinkle that once graced countless Tiger Beat covers.
In perhaps the most touching detail, she revealed how she’d read him fan letters from across the globe as he rested – messages of love that “lifted his spirits and reminded him of how deeply he was cherished.”
The diagnosis came as a cruel blow in March, when doctors confirmed the kidney cancer that would ultimately claim his life. Sources told Fox News the disease had “spread everywhere,” leaving the family devastated but determined to make his remaining time as comfortable as possible.
When pop fame wasn’t enough
What makes Sherman’s story even more remarkable? At the height of his fame in 1974, he simply walked away from it all.
A guest spot on medical drama ‘Emergency!’ sparked an unlikely career change that saw the teen idol swap his microphone for a paramedic’s uniform. Talk about a plot twist nobody saw coming!
For over a decade, he worked tirelessly training Los Angeles police officers in first aid, eventually becoming a reserve deputy sheriff in San Bernardino County. In 1999, his dedication earned him the prestigious Reserve Officer of the Year award.
“Bobby always wanted to help people,” a longtime friend revealed. “The screaming fans were flattering, but saving lives? That’s what really made him tick.”
A legacy of love
Sherman’s charitable work didn’t stop there. Together with Brigitte, he founded the BBSC Foundation, providing education and opportunities for students in Ghana – a cause close to both their hearts.
His passing leaves behind two sons from his first marriage, Tyler and Christopher, plus six grandchildren who’ll grow up knowing their grandfather wasn’t just a sixties sensation, but a real-life hero who traded fame for service.
As tributes pour in from across the entertainment world, it’s clear that Bobby Sherman was more than just another pretty face from pop’s golden era. He was proof that sometimes, the brightest stars are the ones who choose to shine their light on others.
Rest in peace, Bobby. Julie definitely loved you – and so did we all.
