Julius Dixon, 90; Rock ‘n’ Roll Songwriter Penned Hit ‘Lollipop’

Julius Dixon, an early rock ‘n’ roll songwriter whose hits included the pop tune “Lollipop,” died Jan. 30 in Manhattan. He was 90.

He wrote for several groups, including Ronald and Ruby, for whom he created the song. It reached No. 20 in 1958. It was recorded later that year by the Chordettes and went to No. 2 -- the female group’s biggest hit.

Dixon first hit the charts at No. 11 in 1955 with the Bill Haley song “Dim, Dim the Lights (I Want Some Atmosphere),” a follow-up to Haley’s “Shake, Rattle and Roll.”

Other songs Dixon is credited with writing or co-writing include “It Hurts to Be in Love” for Annie Laurie, “Begging, Begging” for James Brown and “Three Ways (to Love You)” for Kitty Wells.

A native of Barnwell, S.C., Dixon served in the Army during World War II and was assigned to Special Services in Germany, where he had a weekly radio broadcast called “Variety Jive.”