Born on Oct. 22, 1942 in Baytown, Texas, Fuller grew up as a big fan of another Texas musician: Buddy Holly. Fuller played in numerous bands with his younger brother Randy and even built his own recording studio at home. In 1961 they began releasing singles through New Mexico-based Yucca Records, and some of their songs charted on local radio stations in El Paso.

Fuller and his brother moved to Los Angeles and reformed the band. Jim Reese also moved to Los Angeles with them to remain in the band. In 1964, the Bobby Fuller Four were signed on with Mustang Records in a deal put together by Bob Keane.

Their biggest hit came with “I Fought The Law.” Though Fuller is most closely associated with the song, it was actually written by Sonny Curtis and first recorded by the Crickets after Buddy Holly died (Curtis also wrote the theme for “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”).