CHARLOTTE, N.C. (January 9, 2013)—Sammy Johns, the singer-songwriter who made "Chevy Van" a hit in 1975, has died at the age of 66.

The Charlotte Observer reported that Johns died Friday.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Johns recorded "Chevy Van" in 1973, but nearly 18 months passed before it was released.

It peaked at number five and sold more than 3 million copies.

Johns had said the song wasn't about a specific woman.

He never had another hit of his own, but he wrote "America" for Waylon Jennings and "Common Man" for John Conlee.