'I Fought The Law' songwriter and Buddy Holly bandmate Sonny Curtis dies, aged 88

22 September 2025, 10:41

Sonny Curtis was a key member of The Crickets and wrote one of the all-time great rock 'n' roll tunes.

Sonny Curtis has died at the age of 88.

The legendary guitarist was a key member of The Crickets, Buddy Holly's backing band, and also wrote the classic 'I Fought The Law', later covered by the Bobby Fuller Four and The Clash.

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Sonny also wrote the theme for The Mary Tyler Moore Show 'Love is All Around', and together with fellow Cricket Jerry Allison played on late Eddie Cochran numbers like 'Three Steps To Heaven' and 'Cut Across Shorty'.

Curtis died in hospital from complications of pneumonia, his daughter Sarah Curtis Graziano confirmed.

"I'm heartbroken to tell you that my dad Sonny passed away yesterday after a sudden illness," she wrote on Facebook on Saturday.

The Crickets - I Fought The Law (1960)

"I'm so grateful that I was with him at the end, along with my mom. It was peaceful and he didn't suffer."

She added: "He was 88 and he lived a more exceptional life than anyone I'd ever met. He made a mark on this world, and he made a mark on the hearts of all who knew him.

"It's a sad day, but what a life. May we look at his life with joy rather than sadness. He would have wanted that."

Sonny Curtis sings "Love is All Around"

After Buddy Holly's death in 1959, Curtis continued to play guitar in The Crickets, who were fronted by Earl Sinks, David Box and Jerry Naylor before Sonny eventually took over as the group's frontman.

Curtis was the lead singer and lead guitarist in The Crickets from 1962 to 1985, and again from 1994 to the band's end in 2016.

Sonny also wrote 'Walk Right Back' for The Everly Brothers, and with Jerry Allison co-wrote 'More Than I Can Say' for Leo Sayer.

Curtis is survived by his wife Louise Halverson, whom he married in 1970, their daughter Sarah, and three granddaughters.