Sonny Curtis, a prominent vintage rock 'n' roller known for his timeless contributions to music, passed away at the age of 88. He composed the legendary classic "I Fought the Law" and penned the iconic theme song for "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," which posed the enduring question, "Who can turn the world on with her smile?" His death was confirmed by his wife, Louise Curtis, after he suffered from sudden illness.

Curtis was a member of The Crickets, a band he joined early in his career and was later inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. His songwriting prowess resulted in numerous hits, including Keith Whitley's country hit "I'm No Stranger to the Rain" and the Everly Brothers' "Walk Right Back," the latter of which he wrote during his Army basic training. Over the years, his songs were covered by major artists such as Bing Crosby, Glen Campbell, Bruce Springsteen, and the Grateful Dead.

Born during the Great Depression in Meadow, Texas, Sonny Curtis grew up as a childhood friend of Buddy Holly. His musical journey began in the mid-1950s, where he played alongside Holly and opened shows for Elvis Presley when the latter was still a regional act. Before reaching 20, he wrote hits like "Someday" for Webb Pierce and "Rock Around With Ollie Vee" for Holly. Although Curtis had departed from The Crickets prior to Holly's rise to fame, he returned after Holly's tragic death in a plane crash in 1959.

In 1960, Curtis contributed to the album "In Style with the Crickets," featuring "I Fought the Law," which he claimed was produced in just one afternoon without any specific inspiration. While the song did not gain immediate popularity, it eventually became a Top 10 hit in 1966 with a cover by the Bobby Fuller Four and has since been interpreted by countless artists across various genres, including punk and country.

Another significant highlight of Curtis's career was creating the theme song for "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" in 1970. Composed while he was writing commercial jingles, the song titled "Love is All Around" featured lyrics that became etched in television history. The theme's memorable lines celebrated the character's spirit, particularly the moment when Moore triumphantly tossed her hat into the air, affirming, "You're going to make it after all." In tribute to the show's success, several artists, including Sammy Davis Jr. and Joan Jett, also covered the song.

During the show's development, Curtis was commissioned by a friend to create a song that matched the show's premise. The initial lyrics were modified after the show's success, transforming the tune into one synonymous with Moore's character. Although Andy Williams was initially considered to sing the theme song, it was Curtis's baritone voice that ultimately became recognized.

Throughout his career, Sonny Curtis released solo albums, including "Sonny Curtis" and "Spectrum," and scored a Top 20 hit in the country music charts with the 1981 single "Good Ol' Girls." He continued performing and recording music with The Crickets and their members, even releasing collaborations featuring prominent artists like Eric Clapton and Graham Nash. Among his notable contributions was "The Real Buddy Holly Story," a critique of the 1978 biographical film about his friend Buddy Holly.

Curtis settled in Nashville during the mid-1970s, living there with his wife, Louise. His accomplishments led to his induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1991 and, alongside The Crickets, into Nashville's Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2007. In 2012, he and The Crickets received further recognition with their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, celebrated for their significant influence on rock and roll music.