Doc Pomus

Induction Year: 1992

Induction Category: Non-Performer

In the words of , Atlantic Records’ producer and co-owner, “If the music industry had a heart, it would be Doc Pomus.” Born Jerome Solon Felder, he is the author (or co-author) of some of the greatest songs in rock and roll history, including “This Magic Moment” () “Young Blood” (, cowritten with Leiber and Stoller), “A Teenager in Love” ( and the Belmonts), “Lonely Avenue” () and “Save the Last Dance for Me” (Ben E. King). recorded at least 20 Pomus originals, including “Little Sister” and “Viva Las Vegas.” A range of artists whose varied ranks include blues giant B.B. King ("There Must Be a Better World Somewhere") and teen idol Fabian ("Turn Me Loose") also cut Pomus’ songs.

Despite being confined to crutches and a wheelchair by polio, the Brooklyn-born Pomus found his way into music, first as a blues singer (inspired by , for whom he wrote “Boogie Woogie Country Girl” in 1955) and then as a songwriter. His style was earthy, full of street-corner soul and bluesy desire. Credited with writing over a thousand songs, many with partner Mort Shuman, Pomus kept working almost until the moment of his death in a hospital bed in 1991. He is remembered not only as a peerless songwriter but as a formidable personality and cheerful raconteur - one of the real characters from rock and roll’s golden era.

TIMELINE

June 27, 1925: Doc Pomus was born.

1958: Don Kirshner and Al Nevins form Aldon Music Publishing, hire songwriting teams Neil Sedaka & Howard Greenfield and Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman. By October Sedaka & Greenfield’s “Stupid Cupid”, recorded by Connie Francis, reaches #14 Bobby Darin’s “Splish Splash” reaches #3.

1960: Aldon hires teenage newlyweds Carole King & Gerry Goffin. Pomus & Shuman’s “Save the Last Dance for Me,” recorded by , reaches #1.

March 14, 1991: Doc Pomus dies after contracted lung cancer, but not before a performance was giving on his behalf at the Lone Star Roadhouse. It was a “musical get well card” that was taped and then viewed by Pomus in the hospital.

1992: Doc Pomus inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.