Buddy Holly in the studio in Nashville during his unsuccessful time with Decca.

The Crickets perform on the Ed Sullivan Show, New York, 1 December 1957. Left to right: Niki Sullivan, Buddy Holly, J.I. Allison and Joe B. Mauldin.

The Crickets rehearsing in Lubbock after the departure of Niki Sullivan.

A rare picture of Buddy without glasses.

Buddy and J.I. on stage. The core of the Crickets’ sound.

The definitive Crickets line-up – Buddy, J.I. and Joe B.

The Trocadero cinema in south London where Buddy’s British tour began on 1 March 1958.

Buddy on stage at the London Palladium.