Country Artists We’ve Lost in 2012: Bill Dees

Bill Dees was a songwriter for Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn in addition to penning the classic Roy Orbison song 'Oh, Pretty Woman' in 1964. He died on Oct. 26 at the age of 73 after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor earlier in the year. Among the songs in his catalog are Lynn's 'Me and Ole Crazy Bill' and Lynn Anderson's 'My Friend.' He wrote 'Best Friend' with Orbison for Cash, and walked it across the street to pitch it to him. “Man, I was scared walking across there,” he said, talking about when Cash opened the door. “Well, me and Roy we was just over there writing and, we had this song … We thought you might want to hear it,” he told him. The Man in Black liked it and cut it soon after.