New Delhi, Sept. 21 -- Sonny Curtis, the acclaimed songwriter behind classics such as 'I Fought the Law', 'Walk Right Back' and 'Love Is All Around' - the theme for 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' - has died at the age of 88.

His daughter confirmed the news in a social media post, saying he passed away on Friday after a sudden illness.

Born in Texas in 1937, Curtis grew up in a musical family and first met Buddy Holly at the age of 15. The two formed a group together and went on to open for music legends including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins. Curtis also played guitar on several of Holly's recordings before briefly leaving to tour with Slim Whitman.

He rejoined Holly and the Crickets in 1958, only months before Holly's trag...