Sonny Curtis, a prominent figure in early rock and country music, passed away at the age of 88. He was widely recognized for writing the classic song "I Fought the Law" and for composing and singing the iconic theme song to "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," titled "Love is All Around." His death on Friday, September 19, was confirmed by his wife, Louise Curtis, to The Associated Press. His daughter, Sarah Curtis, noted on his Facebook page that his illness was sudden.
Curtis, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 as a member of The Crickets, leaves behind a legacy of hundreds of songs. His compositions were recorded by a wide range of artists across various genres, underscoring his lasting impact on popular music.
Key Takeaways
- Sonny Curtis, acclaimed songwriter, died at 88.
- He wrote "I Fought the Law" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" theme.
- Curtis was a member of The Crickets and a childhood friend of Buddy Holly.
- His songs were covered by Bing Crosby, Bruce Springsteen, and The Clash.
- He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.
A Career Spanning Decades and Genres
Born into a family of cotton farmers in Meadow, Texas, during the Great Depression, Sonny Curtis developed a passion for music early in life. He was a childhood friend of rock and roll pioneer Buddy Holly. Curtis actively participated in the formative years of rock music, often jamming on guitar with Holly in the mid-1950s. He also had the opportunity to open for Elvis Presley when Presley was still a regional performer.
Curtis's talent for songwriting emerged before he turned 20. He penned hits such as "Someday" for Webb Pierce and "Rock Around With Ollie Vee" for Buddy Holly. These early successes demonstrated his innate ability to craft memorable tunes and lyrics.
Notable Covers of Curtis's Work
- "I Fought the Law": Covered by The Bobby Fuller Four, The Clash, Johnny Cash, Nanci Griffith, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty.
- "Walk Right Back": Recorded by The Everly Brothers.
- "More Than I Can Say": Hits for Bobby Vee and Leo Sayer.
The Crickets and "I Fought the Law"
Curtis had initially left Buddy Holly's group, The Crickets, before Holly achieved widespread fame. However, he returned to the band after Holly's tragic death in a plane crash in 1959. In 1960, Curtis was featured on the album In Style with the Crickets. This album included one of his most significant compositions, "I Fought the Law." According to Curtis, he wrote the song in a single afternoon, without any direct personal inspiration.
The song's iconic refrain, "I fought the law — and the law won," became a cultural staple. It took until 1966 for "I Fought the Law" to become a major hit, when the Texas-based Bobby Fuller Four's version reached the Top 10. Over the subsequent decades, the song was covered by dozens of artists. Its versatility allowed it to resonate across genres, from punk rock by The Clash to country music by Johnny Cash. Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty also performed their versions, solidifying its status as a rock anthem.
"It's my most important copyright," Curtis stated in a 2014 interview with The Tennessean.
"Love is All Around": An Enduring Television Theme
In contrast to the gritty narrative of "I Fought the Law," Curtis's other signature song, "Love is All Around," offered an uplifting message. In 1970, while working on commercial jingles, he was commissioned to write the theme for a new CBS sitcom. This show starred Mary Tyler Moore as a single woman working as a TV producer in Minneapolis. Curtis crafted a smooth melody and lyrics that became instantly recognizable.
The theme song's enduring appeal was further cemented by its visual accompaniment. The opening sequence featured Mary Tyler Moore's memorable hat toss, symbolizing triumph and independence. This moment became an iconic image in television history, perfectly aligned with Curtis's lyrics, "You're going to make it after all."
The Mary Tyler Moore Show Theme
The theme song, "Love is All Around," underwent a lyrical revision after its first season. The initial version was more tentative, opening with "How will you make it on your own?" and concluding with "You might just make it after all." By Season 2, as the show gained popularity, the lyrics were updated to reflect Mary's established success, becoming more confident and celebratory. Producers initially wanted Andy Williams to sing the theme, but he declined, leading to Curtis's own easygoing baritone being featured.
Writing the Iconic Theme
Curtis recalled how the opportunity to write the theme arose. His friend, Doug Gilmore, a music industry road manager, informed him that the sitcom's developers were seeking an opening song. "Naturally I said yes," Curtis recounted. Gilmore provided a four-page format detailing the show's premise: "Girl from the Midwest, moves to Minneapolis, gets a job in a newsroom, can't afford her apartment etc., which gave me the flavor of what it was all about."
Curtis then met with James L. Brooks, the show's co-creator and future Oscar-winning filmmaker. Curtis described the initial meeting: "James L. Brooks came into this huge empty room, no furniture apart from a phone lying on the floor, and at first, I thought he was rather cold and sort of distant, and he said 'We're not at the stage of picking a song yet, but I'll listen anyway.'"
Despite Brooks' initial coolness, Curtis played the song with just his guitar. "Next thing, he started phoning people, and the room filled up, and then he sent out for a tape recorder," Curtis remembered. This led to the song's adoption as the show's theme, with Curtis's voice becoming synonymous with the beloved series.
Later Career and Recognitions
Sonny Curtis continued to release solo albums throughout his career, including Sonny Curtis and Spectrum. In 1981, his single "Good Ol' Girls" reached the country Top 20, demonstrating his continued relevance in the music scene. He remained active with other members of The Crickets in later years, releasing albums such as The Crickets and Their Buddies, which featured collaborations with notable artists like Eric Clapton and Phil Everly.
One of Curtis's more distinctive songs was "The Real Buddy Holly Story," a direct response to the 1978 biopic The Buddy Holly Story, which starred Gary Busey. This song offered his perspective on his friend's life and legacy.
Curtis settled in Nashville in the mid-1970s, where he lived with his wife, Louise. His contributions to music were recognized with multiple prestigious inductions:
- 1991: Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
- 2007: Inducted into Nashville's Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum as part of The Crickets.
- 2012: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Crickets. The band was praised as "the blueprint for rock and roll bands (that) inspired thousands of kids to start up garage bands around the world."
Sonny Curtis's legacy extends far beyond his specific compositions. His influence as a songwriter and musician helped shape the sound of early rock and roll and left an indelible mark on television culture. His ability to craft songs that resonated deeply with audiences across different eras and genres cemented his place as a true music icon.