When did Sonny Curtis join the Crickets? Career highlights explained as musician dies at 88

Sonny Curtis was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter who left a mark on the world of music through his work with the Crickets. He joined the band in late 1958, just months before the death of Buddy Holly in February 1959. After Holly’s passing, Curtis stepped into a leading role with the Crickets and helped keep the group moving forward.

Curtis was also known for his songwriting, creating some of the most well-known songs of the rock and country era. His work extended beyond the Crickets, reaching into television and later country music.

He died on September 19, 2025, at the age of 88 after a brief illness. His death marked the end of a career that lasted more than six decades.

Sonny Curtis' time with the Crickets

Sonny Curtis was a childhood friend of Buddy Holly and was brought up in Texas. The young musician proved his inclusion in the band a natural progression when the opportunity arose.

At the end of 1958, Curtis joined Crickets. Buddy Holly had started to pay attention to his solo career at the time, and Curtis had taken his place as the guitarist. Upon Holly's death due to a plane crash in February 1959, Curtis was recruited to replace him as the lead guitarist and eventually the vocalist of the band.

Curtis was with the Crickets for decades, and he balanced his work with the group and individual interests. His protracted engagement was useful in keeping the Crickets going even long after the early years.

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Career highlights

Sonny Curtis was a songwriter whose work spanned multiple genres, including rock, country, and television. I Fought the Law was one of his most popular songs. The Crickets originally recorded the song, and it later turned into a hit by the Bobby Fuller Four. The Clash and Green Day covered it too.

Significant contributions included, Walk Right Back, More Than I Can Say, and I’m No Stranger to the Rain which was a wildly popular country song.

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Curtis composed and sang Love Is All Around. The theme turned out to be one of the most memorable in the history of television, reaching audiences far beyond the boundaries of rock and country music.

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