In the words of Jerry Wexler, 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” (the Drifters) “Young Blood” (the Coasters, cowritten with Leiber and Stoller), “A Teenager in Love” (Dion and the Belmonts), “Lonely Avenue” (Ray Charles) and “Save the Last Dance for Me” (Ben E. King). Elvis Presley 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 Big Joe Turner, 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.