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.
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."
In Their Own Words (12)
You recall a girl that's been in nearly every song?This is what I heard of course the story could be wrong.She's the one — I've been toldNow she's wearing a band of gold.Peggy Sue got married not long ago.
Peggy Sue Got Married (1959), 1959
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
Everyday — it's a gettin' closer,Goin' faster than a roller coaster.Love like yours will surely come my wayA hey — a hey hey.
Everyday, written by Buddy Holly and Norman Petty, 1958
Sometimes we'll sigh — sometimes we'll cryAnd we'll know why just you and I know true love ways.
True Love Ways, written by Buddy Holly and Norman Petty (1958), 1958
Words of love you whisper soft and true Darling I love you.
Words Of Love, 1958
Artifacts (15)
Field trips, 1950 - handwritten notebook, 1950-1951. (IA CAT31321542)
Taylor, John W. (John Wesley)
The Chaplain (IA chaplain186gene)
General Commission on Chaplains and Armed Forces Personnel.
Catalog of Copyright Entries 1945 Art Etc. New Series Vol 40 Pt 4 (IA catalogofcopyrig404libr)
U.S. Govt. Print. Off.
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