stites is best remembered for his top 40 hit, "lonely for you", which bore a significant sonic resemblance to the conway twitty song "it's only make believe". the tune peaked at no. 24 on the "billboard" hot 100 in 1959, and a follow-up single, "starry eyed", peaked at no. 77 later that same year. it would hit the no. 1 spot in the uk for michael holliday. stites released a full-length album on carlton records in 1960, but it was his only lp.