South Plains native Sonny Curtis, a prolific singer-songwritter who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Crickets, is being remembered for his lasting impact on the music industry.
Curtis, a Meadow native who for decades has been recognized for his contributions through hall of fame inductions and honors, died Friday in Nashville, according to an obituary in The New York Times. He was 88.
Civic Lubbock Inc. released a statement Saturday recalling Curtis’ impact and contributions.
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Sonny Curtis yesterday,” the statement reads. “He was inducted into the West Texas Walk of Fame in 1986. Known for his collaborations with Buddy Holly, he was a member of the Crickets and continued with the band after Holly’s death.”
Civic Lubbock noted that some of Curtis’ best known compositions include “Walk Right Back”, a major hit in 1961 for the Everly Brothers; “I Fought the Law”, notably covered by the Bobby Fuller Four, the Clash, and Green Day; and “Love is All Around”, the theme song for The Mary Tyler Moore Show, which he also performed.
Nashville, 1956, (left to right) Sonny Curtis, Buddy Holly, Don Guess and Sonny’s brother Dean. Avalanche-Journal file photo
Just a teenager, Curtis played with Buddy Holly in his early career, including openening for Elvis in Lubbock. He later took over as lead vocalist and guitar player in The Crickets following Holly’s death in 1959, according to Avalanche-Journal archives.
Sonny then took a job playing lead guitar with the Everly Brothers, according to his profile on the Internet Movie Database.
He moved to California in 1960 and not long afterward was drafted into the Army. He was stationed in France for 18 months and, although Army service limited his performing career, wrote one of his classic songs during this period. The Everly Brothers recorded “Walk Right Back” and had a major hit, both in the USA and abroad, according to the IMDB profile. Also, while Sonny was in the military, Bobby Vee recorded a song he co-wrote with Crickets drummer Jerry Allison, “More Than I Can Say” (later a worldwide pop hit for Leo Sayer), made it to the top of the charts in America and England.
Curtis ws inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Crickets.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Former Cricket Sonny Curtis, in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, dies at 88
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