Buddy Holly’s short life and musical career had a lasting influence on the progress of pop and rock music.
Buddy Holly’s recording career lasted barely two years, but his legacy has endured—not only in terms of his music, but also in his instrumental lineup and recording techniques. As a singer, songwriter, and guitarist he drew on influences ranging from blues to rockabilly, and from country to gospel, to become one of the most influential pioneers of rock‘n’roll.
Charles Hardin Holly was born in Lubbock, Texas, in 1936. He started playing country and western music in his teens, teaming up with friend Bob Montgomery in 1954 to form a duo that quickly became popular in West Texas. In October 1955, while playing in a concert featuring Bill HALEY and His Comets, they attracted the attention of talent scout Eddie Crandall, who arranged an audition for Holly with Decca Records. In January 1956, Holly recorded the single “Blue Days, Black Nights,” with friends Sonny Curtis on guitar and Don Guess on bass. Six months later Holly recorded “That’ll Be the Day,” backed by Curtis, Guess, and Jerry Allison (drums), calling the group the Three Tunes. This version was never released, as a result of conflicts between Holly and his producer. Holly’s contract with Decca expired, while Curtis and Guess quit the band.
Holly promptly formed the Crickets, with Allison, Niki Sullivan (guitar), and Larry Welborn (bass). Now the band turned from their country style to the rock‘n’roll sound of Elvis PRESLEY. In February 1957 they recorded “That’ll Be the Day” at producer Norman Petty’s studio in New Mexico, welborn was replaced by Joe B. Mauldin soon after. Using “That’ll Be the Day” as a demo record, the band earned a recording contract from the small label Brunswick Records. Brunswick released “That’ll Be the Day” in 1957; it was an instant hit and Holly shot to fame. Follow-up records included “Words of Love,” “Not Fade Away,” and “Peggy Sue” (in 1957); and “Rave On,” “Maybe Baby,” and “It’s So Easy” (in 1958). The Buddy Holly sound was unmistakable. His hiccuping, stuttering vocals were combined with a percussive guitar picking style, melodic solos, multiple stops, and bent notes that broke away from the basic rhythm-and-blues chord progressions. The Crickets were the first successful band to feature the lineup of two electric guitars, bass guitar, and drums. Holly also helped pioneer modern studio recording techniques, Differences led to Holly’s split with Petty and the Crickets in 1958. He moved to New York and recorded new material with the Dick Jacobs Orchestra, including “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore,” and “Raining in My Heart.” The orchestral background gives these songs a pop feel. It was his last recording session. On February 3, 1959, he was killed when a plane carrying him between concerts crashed in the Midwest. He was 22.
Buddy Holly’s short life and musical career had a lasting influence on the progress of pop and rock music.
Buddy Holly has a lasting influence on rock performers of the 1960s—particularly on the BEATLES, the KINKS, the Hollies, and the ROLLING STONES. His untimely death ensured his status as a cult figure and rock‘n’roll icon.
Stephen Valdez
SEE ALSO:
BERRY, CHUCK; DIDDLEY, BO; POP MUSIC; ROCK‘N’ROLL.
FURTHER READING
Amburn, E. Buddy Holly: A Biography (New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, 1995);
Goldrosen, J., and J. Beecher. Remembering Buddy (New York: Da Capo Press, 1996).
SUGGESTED LISTENING
Buddy Holly and the Crickets; For the First Time Anywhere; From the Original Master Tapes; Something Special from Buddy Holly.