ERRY BOCK, who composed the music to some of the most memorable shows in Broadway history, including the melodies for “Fiorello!” and “Fiddler on the Roof,” has died. He was 81.

    Richard M. Ticktin, Bock’s attorney and family friend, said the composer died of heart failure Wednesday morning at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, the United States.

    Together with lyricist Sheldon Harnick, Bock wrote the powerful score to “Fiddler on the Roof,” one of the most successful productions in the history of the American musical theater, having an initial run of eight years. It earned the two men Tony Awards in 1965.

    “He was wonderful to work with,” said Harnick, who collaborated with Bock for 13 years. “I think in all of the years that we worked together, I only remember one or two arguments — and those were at the beginning of the collaboration when we were still feeling each other out. Once we got past that, he was wonderful to work with.”

    Bock had recently spoken at a memorial service for “Fiddler” playwright Joseph Stein, who died Oct. 24. “So now two of the three creators of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ have passed away within three weeks of each other,” said Ticktin.

    Bock and Harnick first hit success for the music and lyrics to “Fiorello!,” which earned them each Tonys and a rare Pulitzer Prize in 1960.

    (SD-Agencies)