Bobby Fuller Four -- "I Fought The Law" (1965)

Breaking rocks in the hot sun

I fought the law and the law won

I fought the law and the law won

Bobby Fuller

Bobby Fuller was a Texan who idolized Buddy Holly, who was also a Texan.  Fuller's career was at its height in 1965-66, when "British Invasion" and folk-rock singles dominated the Billboard charts, but he stuck to classic Holly-style rock 'n' roll.

Like Buddy Holly, Fuller died when he was a very young man.  He was not quite 24 when he was found dead in his car, which was parked outside his Hollywood apartment.  The medical examiner found no sign of foul play, and the official cause of Fuller's death was "accidental asphyxiation" -- he was found lying on the front seat of his car, which had the windows up and an open can containing gasoline on the floor.  

Many people believed Fuller had been murdered.  (Here's a link to the website of one fan who is firmly in that camp.)  One of his band members even suspected Charles Manson of having something to do with his death.

Fuller is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in L.A.

Fuller died shortly after "I Fought The Law" (which was released in December 1965) became a top-ten hit.  His version of that song is 2:14 of AM-radio perfection -- he doesn't waste any time.  It's 100% American rock 'n' roll, with just a touch of 50's-style rockabilly and a great hook.  "I fought the law and the law won" is one of those great pissed-off rock 'n' roll lines, like "There ain't no cure for the summertime blues," or "I can't get no satisfaction."

Here's the Bobby Fuller Four version of "I Fought The Law":

Here's a link you can use to buy it on iTunes:

Here's a link you can use if you prefer Amazon: