John Leon Pavlik

John Leon Pavlik, known to his fans as Rockabilly Legend, "Johnny Powers", of Harrison, MI, passed away on January 16th, 2023 at the age of 84 surrounded by his daughter, son in law, and grandchildren. Beloved husband of the late Delphine (Brzezinski) Pavlik. A loving father to Yvonne (Pavlik) Peltier and her husband Edward Kibner. Cherished grandfather of Evan Peltier, Kayla (Peltier) Bove, Genna Peltier, and their spouses Sarah Peltier, Anthony Bove, and Trevor Pickrell, respectively. Fun Papa John to his great grandchildren Jonah Peltier and Tyler Bove. Dear brother to Christine Stasik, Ginger Kennedy, Tom Pavlik, and Gary Brougham. Predeceased by parents, Stephen Pavlik, Virginia Zychski, and Lorraine Pavlik; sisters, Marie Michael and Gayle Brougham; and brothers, Stanley Pavlik and Fred Brougham. Johnny was born May 25, 1938 in East Detroit, Michigan to Stephen Pavlik and Virginia Zychski. He said he had "music in his blood," his father playing the banjo while uncles played the accordion, fiddles & drums, filling family gatherings with Polkas. He started his singing career at the age of 15 in 1953, buying his first guitar from friend, Tony Lawson. He released his most popular song, Long Blond Hair, through Fox Records in 1955 and in 1959 was signed by Sam Phillips to Sun Records, the label that signed Elvis and other rockabilly greats. In 1960, he met Berry Gordy and became the first white male artist to sign with Motown Records - also making Johnny Powers the only artist signed on both Sun and Motown labels and he was later inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Johnny met his wife, Delphine ("Del"), in 1960 and told her "I'm going to marry you" by the end of the first date. They married 4 months later on January 14th, 1961 and were married for nearly 54 years until her death in 2015. They welcomed their daughter, Yvonne, in 1964 and Johnny switched his energy to producing and writing rather than recording, which allowed him to spend more time with his family at their home in Utica, Michigan and going camping and fishing. But Johnny had "the bug" to get back on the stage, and he re-entered the music scene during the resurgence of Rockabilly in the 1980s, touring around the world for almost another 40 years in the UK, France, Spain, Hungary, Japan, Nashville and his last big show in Las Vegas in 2018. Performing on stage was one of his biggest passions, which he continued to do into his 80s. Johnny and Del retired at their home in Harrison, MI which they transformed from the "ugly duckling on the lake" to a beautiful property. This property became his oasis where he loved to fish, drive his pontoon boat, snowmobile, and host family gatherings. He was a member of the Harrison Moose and the Eagles clubs where he valued his many friends. John always had a special place in his heart for his fans, friends, family….and merlot. Please join us in celebrating his life on Sunday January 22nd, 2023. A Memorial Gathering will take place at the Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 8459 Hall Rd, Utica, MI 48317 from 2pm - 4pm and Memorial Service at 4pm. The family will be hosting a dinner after the Memorial Service for family and friends. The family suggests donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's Disease. It was a cause that became very important to him when his wife, Del, was diagnosed, and it was the charity he chose for her funeral. He would have loved for his last efforts to be tied to the charity meant to fix the disease that took his wife from him too soon. Please share a memory with his family at www.SullivanFuneralDirectors.com Recommended hotels: La Quinta Inn 45311 Park Ave, Utica, MI 48315 Comfort Inn 11401 Hall Rd, Utica, MI 48317 Holiday Inn Express 45555 Utica Park Blvd, Utica, MI 48315 Hyatt Place 45400 Park Ave, Utica, MI 48315

John Leon Pavlik

May 25, 1938 - January 16, 2023