Some songs remain fixed in the public mind with one particular artist. Others take on a life of their own. One of the latter is I Fought the Law, written by Sonny Curtis who joined Buddy Holly’s band The Crickets in 1958 just before Holly’s death and took over as lead vocalist (as well as lead guitar) in the band after that sad event.

The Crickets version was an LP track and a B-side in 1960 but only became a hit when the Bobby Fuller Four released the song in 1965. The Clash also famously recorded I Fought the Law.

The Crickets: I Fought the Law

Bobby Fuller Four: I Fought the Law

Curtis also wrote Walk Right Back which was a UK No 1 for the Everly Brothers in 1961.

The Everly Brothers: Walk Right Back

In addition he wrote the theme for The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Love Is All Around, (not to be confused with the similarly titled song written for The Troggs by Reg Presley in 1967 and turned into a humongous hit by Wet Wet Wet in 1994.) This theme will bring back memories for anyone around in the mid- to late 60s.

Mary Tyler Moore Show Theme (Love Is All Around):

Sonny Curtis: 9/5/1937 – September 19/9/2025. So it goes.

I see from The Guardian that drummer and song-writer of The Crickets (best known as Buddy Holly’s backing band) has died.

Many of Holly’s best known songs were co-written with Allison – Peggy Sue, Well …. All Right, That’ll Be the Day – though he is not credited for Not Fade Away which he claimed to have co-written.

Though all of these are from before my time they are utterly familiar as being from the pioneering age of rock and roll.

Buddy Holly and the Crickets: That’ll Be the Day

Jerry Ivan Allison: 31/8/1939 – August 22/8/2022. So it goes.