Bobby Sherman, 60s teen idol and singer of hit Little Woman, dies aged 81

Bobby Sherman, whose winsome smile and fashionable shaggy mop top helped make him into a teen idol in the 1960s and 70s with bubblegum pop hits such as Little Woman and Julie, Do Ya Love Me, has died. He was 81.

His wife, Brigitte Poublon, announced the death Tuesday and family friend John Stamos posted her message on Instagram: “Bobby left this world holding my hand — just as he held up our life with love, courage, and unwavering grace.” Sherman revealed he had stage 4 cancer earlier this year.

Sherman had four Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart – Little Woman, Julie, Do Ya Love Me, Easy Come, Easy Go, and La La La (If I Had You). He had six albums on the Billboard 200 chart, including Here Comes Bobby, which spent 48 weeks on the album chart, peaking at No 10. His career got its jump start when he was cast in the ABC rock’n’roll show Shindig! in the mid-60s. Later, he starred in two television series — Here Come the Brides (1968-70) and Getting Together (1971).

After the limelight moved on, Sherman became a certified medical emergency technician and instructor for the Los Angeles police department, teaching police recruits first aid and CPR. He donated his salary.

He was named LAPD’s Reserve Officer of the Year for 1999 and received the FBI’s Exceptional Service Award and the Twice a Citizen Award by the Los Angeles County Reserve Foundation.