Buddy Holly

Buddy Holly was one of the most influential and tragic figures of early rock and roll. Born Charles Hardin Holley on 7th September 1936. Buddy (a name given to him by his family) Holly grew up around music getting the opportunity to learn guitar, violin and piano.

He formed a bluegrass duo whilst attending high school performing at local talent shows with schoolmate Bob Montgomery under the name Buddy and Bob. Seeing the likes of Elvis Presley perform proved to be the turning point for Holly’s career, steering him away from bluegrass and developing a love of rock and roll.

By 1956 he had signed a recording contract with Decca records and among his early recordings he released the classic track That’ll be the Day. With his early tours supported by his band, The Crickets, Holly was significantly able to appeal to black and white audiences alike in the days before the civil rights movement performing at venues such as New York’s Apollo Theatre.

Buddy Holly wed Maria Elena Santiago on the 15th August 1958 having proposed to her on their very first date, the pair remained married until his death.

The career of one of music’s most promising young star’s was tragically cut short on the 3rd February 1959. He had chartered a plane to Fargo, North Dakota alongside Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. The plane didn’t make it and was found near Clear Lake, Iowa with no survivors. The event of Buddy Holly’s death was coined in the Don McLean song American Pie as “the day the music died”.