Sonny Curtis, a vintage rock 'n' roller who wrote the raw classic “I Fought the Law” and posed the enduring question “Who can turn the world on with her smile?” as the writer-crooner of the theme song to “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” died Friday. He was 88.

The death of Mr. Curtis, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Crickets in 2012, was confirmed by his wife of more than a half-century. His daughter, Sarah Curtis, wrote on his Facebook page that he had been suddenly ill.

Mr. Curtis wrote or co-wrote hundreds of songs, from Keith Whitley's country smash “I'm No Stranger to the Rain” to the Everly Brothers' “Walk Right Back,” a personal favorite Mr. Curtis completed while in Army basic training. Bing Crosby, Glen Campbell, Bruce Springsteen and the Grat

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