Historical Figure
Buddy Holly
1936–1959
American musician (1936–1959)
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Biography
Charles Hardin Holley, known professionally by his stage name Buddy Holly, was an American singer, songwriter, and musician who was a central and pioneering figure of rock and roll. He was born to a musical family in Lubbock, Texas, during the Great Depression, and learned to play guitar and sing alongside his two siblings.
In Their Own Words (5)
If you knew Peggy Sue — then you'd know why I feel blueWithout Peggy — my Peggy Sue.Oh well, I love you gal — yes, I love you Peggy Sue.Peggy Sue, Peggy Sue — oh how my heart yearns for you.Oh Peggy — my Peggy Sue.Oh well, I love you gal — yes, I love you Peggy Sue.
Peggy Sue, written by Buddy Holly, Jerry Allison, and Norman Petty , 1958
It's so easy to fall in love — it's so easy to fall in love.People tell me love is for fools,So here I go breaking all of the rules.
It's So Easy, written by Buddy Holly and Norman Petty (1958) , 1958
Maybe baby I'll have you,Maybe baby you'll be true.Maybe baby I'll have you for me. (All for me)It's funny honey you don't care-a-are,You never listen to my prayer-a-yer,Maybe baby you will love me someday (someday).
Maybe Baby, written by Buddy Holly and Norman Petty (1957) , 1957
Crying, waiting, hoping, that you'll come back.I just can't seem to get you off my mind.Crying, waiting, hoping, that you'll come back.You're the one I love and I think about you all the time.
Crying (1959) , 1959
All of my love — all of my kissin’ You don’t know what you’ve been a-missin’ Oh boy — when you’re with me — oh boy The world will see that you were meant for me
Oh Boy!, written by Sonny West, Bill Tilghman, and Norman Petty , 1957
Timeline
The story of Buddy Holly, told in moments.
Eighteen months of recording. Three studio albums. He pioneered the standard rock band format of two guitars, bass, and drums. The Beatles named themselves partly as a tribute to the Crickets. John Lennon said: "If it wasn't for Buddy Holly, there wouldn't be any Beatles."
Born Charles Hardin Holley in Lubbock, Texas, during the Depression. His parents are musical. He learns guitar, fiddle, and piano from his older brothers. At 13, he and his friend Bob Montgomery form a duo playing country and western.
Opens for Elvis Presley three times in Lubbock. After the third show, Holly tells his drummer: "That's what I want to do." He switches from country to rock and roll overnight.
"That'll Be the Day" hits number one in the U.S. and U.K. The Crickets follow it with "Peggy Sue," "Oh Boy!," and "Not Fade Away." Holly is 21 and producing his own records, unusual for the era.
Marries Maria Elena Santiago six weeks after meeting her. She's a receptionist at his music publisher. They elope to Lubbock. She's pregnant when he leaves for the Winter Dance Party tour in January 1959.
His chartered plane crashes in an Iowa cornfield minutes after takeoff from Mason City. Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson die alongside him. Holly is 22. The pilot is 21. Don McLean later calls it "The Day the Music Died."
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