Sonny Curtis, member of Buddy Holly’s Crickets, dead at 88

Sonny Curtis , a vintage rock ‘n’ roller who wrote the raw classic I Fought the Law and posed the enduring question “Who can turn the world on with her smile?” as the writer-crooner of the theme song to The Mary Tyler Moore Show , has died at 88.

Curtis, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Crickets in 2012, died Friday, his wife of more than a half-century, Louise Curtis, confirmed to The Associated Press. His daughter, Sarah Curtis, wrote on his Facebook page that he had been suddenly ill.

Curtis wrote or co-wrote hundreds of songs, from Keith Whitley’s country smash I’m No Stranger to the Rain to the Everly Brothers’ Walk Right Back , a personal favourite Curtis completed while in Army basic training. Bing Crosby , Glen Campbell , Bruce Spr