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Buddy Holly

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Buddy Holly's real name was Charles Hardin Holley, and he was born on 7 September 1936 in Lubbock, Texas. He came from a musical family and learned guitar from his brother Travis. At first he played country music, including in the duo Buddy and Bob with his friend Bob Montgomery. In 1955 he played a few times as the opening act for Elvis Presley, and after that his music became rock 'n' roll.

Music and breakthrough

At the record company Decca he was given little freedom. He therefore went to the producer Norman Petty in Clovis, New Mexico, where he recorded That'll Be the Day with his band The Crickets. In September 1957 that song topped the charts in America and England. A month later came Peggy Sue, and Oh Boy! and Maybe Baby also became well known. On 3 February 1959 he was killed, at only 22 years old, in a plane crash after a concert in Clear Lake, Iowa. Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper were also killed. Don McLean later called that day, in American Pie, the day the music died.

Influence

In his short career Holly wrote and recorded many songs. He is regarded as the musician who established the classic rock line-up: two guitars, bass and drums. His influence on later artists was great, from Bob Dylan, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones to Eric Clapton and Elton John. In 1986 he was among the first artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to That'll Be the Day (1957). Notice the small line-up of guitars, bass and drums, and the way Holly sometimes lets his voice break off briefly, a hiccup in his singing that became his trademark.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Mentioned in other articles

See also

Categories: ArtistsPowerpop