Sonny Curtis, a foundingโข member โคof the pioneering rock and roll group The Cricketsโ and the songwriter behind the โฃiconic hit “I Fought the Law,” died โon September 19, 2025, at theโข age of 88.โค The โnews was confirmed by his family.
Curtis’s passing marks the end of an era for โขearly rock โฃand roll, impacting musicians and fans โalike who were influenced by The Crickets’ innovative sound and โฃhis enduring songwriting. “I Fought the Law,” released โin 1959, became โคa defining anthem of youthful rebellion and has been covered by countless artists, cementing Curtis’s legacy in musicโ history. his contributions helped shape โขthe landscape of American popular music, and his work continues to resonate with audiences โtoday.
Born โฃHarvey Paul curtis on Juneโ 9, 1937, inโ Mangum, Oklahoma, he adopted the stage โฃname โคSonny Curtis whileโข performing โขwith The Crickets alongside Buddy Holly, Joe โB. Mauldin, and Jerry Allison. The group rose to prominence โin the late 1950s with hits like โ”That’ll Be the Day,” “Peggyโ Sue,” and “Oh Boy!”-songs โthat helped define the sound of a generation. โ
Following holly’sโข tragic death in 1959, Curtis continued to write andโ perform, contributing considerably to the band’s subsequent recordings. He pennedโค “I Foughtโ the Law” with norman Petty, andโ the song gained widespread recognition through The Bobby Fuller Four’s 1965 rendition, becomingโ a staple ofโฃ rock and roll radio.
Beyond his workโ with The crickets,โค Curtis enjoyed a successful solo career and continued to tourโ and record music throughout his life.He was โคinducted into theโค Rock and Roll Hallโค of Fame as a member of The Crickets in 2012,a testament to the group’s lasting impact on music.His songwriting credits alsoโค include “Love Is โAll Around,” which became a major hit for The Rembrandts in โ1995 afterโค being featured in the televisionโ showโ Friends.โข
Details regarding memorial services have not yetโ been announced. He is survived by his โwife, Ronelda, and their children.