
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, March 15, 1991                   TAG: 9103150901
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK                                LENGTH: Short

ROCK LYRICIST DOC POMUS DIES OF LUNG CANCER

Jerome "Doc" Pomus, the rock 'n' roll songwriter whose success stretched from the 1959 hit "A Teen-ager In Love" to music for the movie "Dick Tracy" last year, died of lung cancer. He was 65.

Pomus died Thursday at New York University Medical Center's Tisch Hospital, said his brother, lawyer Raoul Felder.

Pomus, born Jerome Solon Felder in Brooklyn, began his musical career as a blues singer and songwriter in the early 1950s.

Pomus often collaborated with Mort Shuman, handling most of the lyrics, while Shuman wrote most of the music.

Their first major pop hit was "A Teen-ager in Love," written for Dion and the Belmonts in 1959. A succession of hits for the Drifters followed, including "This Magic Moment" and "Save the Last Dance For Me."

In the 1970s, he teamed with Mac Rebennack, also known as Dr. John, and wrote most of the material for B.B. King's album "There Must be a Better World Somewhere." The album won a 1981 Grammy Award for best ethnic or traditional recording.

Some of Pomus' songs also were used in the film "Dick Tracy."

Two weeks ago, Pomus became the first white musician to receive a Pioneer Award from the Rhythm-and-Blues Foundation.

In addition to his brother, he is survived by a daughter, Sharyn Felder Bratton, and a son, Geoffrey, all of New York.

by CNB