Clint Ballard Jr. | Prolific songwriter, 77

Clint Ballard Jr., 77, a songwriter whose "You're No Good" was taken to the top of the charts by Linda Ronstadt in 1975, has died.

Mr. Ballard, whose big hit came a decade after his song "Game of Love" held the No. 1 spot, died Dec. 23 in Denton, Texas, his friend Jacqueline Martinez told the El Paso Times. Mr. Ballard died at home in his sleep, she said.

Born and reared in El Paso, Mr. Ballard displayed musical talent early, playing the piano for a radio station at age 3. In his later years, he attributed his musical talent to his mother, who always encouraged him when he was young. Over the course of his career, he wrote more than 550 songs.

After a stint as a radio operator in Japan with the Army, Mr. Ballard moved to New York to pursue music.

In 1958, his "Hey, Little Baby," recorded by band leader Mitch Miller, was the theme of the World's Fair in Belgium. In 1965, Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders made it to No. 1 with "Game of Love." - AP