Sheeley attended
Newport Harbor High School in
Newport Beach, and briefly worked as a teen model. She went to
Hollywood to meet the stars and write songs. Her first song, "
Poor Little Fool", was recorded by
Ricky Nelson in 1958, and became Nelson's first US No. 1 and the
Billboard Hot 100's first No. 1. At age 18, Sheeley was the youngest woman to write an American number-one hit.
Jerry Capehart, the manager and songwriting partner of
Eddie Cochran, then agreed to look after Sheeley's interests, and she and Cochran began a relationship. She wrote "
Love Again" and "Cherished Memories" for Cochran and the 1959 hit "
Somethin' Else" with Eddie's brother Bill Cochran. Her other songwriting credits included "Hurry Up", recorded by
Ritchie Valens. She recorded a song, "Homework", with producer
Jack Good. ==Death==