Sonny Curtis , a one-time member of Buddy Holly ’s backing band the Crickets who later penned and performed the hit theme song to The Mary Tyler Moore Show , has died at the age of 88.

Curtis’ daughter Sarah confirmed her father’s death Saturday on social media . “I’m heartbroken to tell you that my dad Sonny passed away yesterday after a sudden illness. I’m so grateful that I was with him at the end, along with my mom. It was peaceful and he didn’t suffer,” Sarah Curtis wrote.

“He was 88 and he lived a more exceptional life than anyone I’d ever met. He made a mark on this world, and he made a mark on the hearts of all who knew him. It’s a sad day, but what a life. May we look at his life with joy rather than sadness. He would have wanted that.”

The Meadow, Texas-born Curtis firs

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