'Friends' Theme Songwriter Allee Willis Passes Away at 72

Natalie Hunter
Allee Willis poses wearing a yellow patterned shirt with a graphic tee underneath
Allee Willis poses wearing a yellow patterned shirt with a graphic tee underneath

Successful songwriter Allee Willis passed away on December 24th, 2019 due to a cardiac event according to PopCulture. Willis lived to 72-years-old. Her partner Prudence Fenton announced Willis' death on [Instagram.] (https://www.instagram.com/p/B6e-OwoJHuM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link) She posted a picture of Willis posing in front of the official Motown sign and captioned it, "Rest In Boogie Wonderland Nov 10,1947-December 24, 2019."

In addition to writing the renowned ['Friends' theme song,] (https://youtu.be/SCQGnVrTsAM) she also wrote, "September," "Boogie Wonderland" and "In the Stone" with Earth, Wind & Fire.

She also lent her creativity to The Pointer Sisters' "The Neutron Dance" and "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" by the Pet Shop Boys. She won an Emmy for the 'Friends' theme song as well as two Grammy Awards for the 'Beverly Hills Cop' soundtrack and 'The Color Purple' Broadway revival.

Fans mourned the late songwriter on the Instagram post.

"Sending you kind thoughts on your unimaginable loss. Allee was one of my sheroes as her creativity and talent were so large," one fan commented.

Allee Willis wears orange sunglasses and points at the camera
Allee Willis wears orange sunglasses and points at the camera

I think of her as light now that will continue to shine brightly. As an original Childstar fan, she touched me in so many ways throughout my life. I send you love and light through this trying time," the fan continued.

"Very sad news on the passing of such a talented songwriter. She brought us such joy in our hearts ♥️ with songs like September boogie wonderland and a host of other well known songs and film scores. R.i.p Miss Willis thank you for the songs that made us dance xx," another wrote.

Allee Willis poses at Dear Evan Hansen premiere wearing a sequined top and gold pants
Allee Willis poses at Dear Evan Hansen premiere wearing a sequined top and gold pants

The picture pays homage to Willis' passion for Motown.

"I spent almost every Saturday of my youth either being dropped off at Motown or, once I had a license, driving down there. I literally would just sit out on that lawn for hours," Willis said in the 2018 interview with the Free Press. "This was early '60s, so it was (Motown's) heyday. Every now and then, you could hear stuff leaking through the walls, so I'd hear bass lines and drum patterns and background vocals. Those are literally the only lessons I ever had."

Allee Willis sits in a chair by a piano wearing
Allee Willis sits in a chair by a piano wearing

"I think that whole way of listening to stuff in parts is still very much the way I write," Willis said. "It taught me to be an arranger as well as a songwriter. I'm so insanely attached to Motown and all the music that was coming out of Detroit, and it gave me a love for that kind of music. There's no question: Had I grown up anywhere else, I would not ever have been a songwriter. Because I certainly don't have the skills to be it."