Songwriter Allee Willis, who wrote 'Friends' theme song, dies at 72
Songwriter Allee Willis, who was the brilliant musical mind behind generations of memorable hits, has died at age 72.
Willis suffered a fatal heart attack on Christmas Eve and her partner Prudence Fenton shared the tragic news with a photo on Instagram.
"Rest In Boogie Wonderland," the caption said alongside the photo of Willis standing in front of the iconic Motown sign in Detroit, Michigan
"Boogie Wonderland" was one of several hits Willis co-wrote with Earth, Wind & Fire, along with "September and "In the Stone."
One of the most notable hits that Willis co-wrote was the upbeat riff and chart-dominating "Friends" theme song, "I'll Be There For You," which was recorded by the pop duo The Rembrandts.
Willis won Grammys for her contributions to the "Beverly Hills Cop" soundtrack and the original cast album for the Broadway production of "The Color Purple."
Among her other hits, Patti Labelle's "Stir It Up," Taylor Dane's "Tell it To My Heart," The Pointer Sisters' "Neutron Dance" and "What Have I Done to Deserve This" by the Pet Shop Boys and Dusty Springfield.
Tributes have poured in for the eccentric, creative genius from her friends and fans around the music world.
The Pointer Sisters tweeted their "Gratitude & respect for her work & fun, festive & artistic personality."
Willis was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018.
