Sonny Curtis, the Texas-born singer-songwriter who penned classics like “I Fought the Law,” “Walk Right Back,” and the iconic “Love Is All Around” theme for The Mary Tyler Moore Show, died on Friday (September 19) at the age of 88 following a sudden illness. Closely associated with Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Curtis took over as the band’s frontman after Holly’s death, writing songs that became major hits for other artists like Bobby Fuller Four, the Clash, Bobby Vee, the Everly Brothers, Anne Murray, Glen Campbell, and Andy Williams. Curtis’ most enduring song is his memorable theme for The Mary Tyler Moore Show, which premiered in 1970. He wrote the catchy tune after receiving a four-page treatment giving him the basic premise of the show.
“I homed in on the part that she rented an apartment she had a hard time affording and wrote, ‘How will you make it on your own? This world is awfully big, and this time you’re on your own.’” Curtis said in an interview with CBS Sunday Morning. Throughout his career, he continued writing and performing, leaving a lasting legacy in rock and pop music that led to Curtis being inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1991. (Variety)