Our Music---Buddy Holly--Gone But Never Forgotten

I ONCE STARTED TO MAKE A LIST OF SINGERS BETTER THAN BUDDY HOLLY---I STILL HAVE A BLANK SHEET!!!

(See my earlier post--"The Day The Music Died")

There is an oft-repeated myth that says “Only the good die young.” Buddy Holly’s tragic death in a plane crash on February 3, 1959, at age 22, stands as solid proof that sometimes myths are really true.  At age 18 he saw Elvis perform and Buddy’s rocket ride was soon launched. He soon had a contract with Decca, one of the newer labels, and started producing one chart topper after another.

This Texan from Abilene was hardly your typical singer. He wore horn-rimmed glasses which made him look like a teen age Dave Garroway.( Early Today Show host on NBC). He was not overly energetic in his stage movements, but could run his voice up and done the scale like an opera singer. In fact he was a one-man Doo Wop group: Tenor to Bass !His band, The original Crickets band was nondescript—A drummer, standup bass player and Buddy’s magic electric guitar. His guitar playing skills never received the recognition he deserved. Some of his later recordings had the Big Studio sound. But it is the early recordings that spoke to me and millions like me!

Buddy Holly, and under his  real name—Charles Hardin Holly---registered 40 original songs. He was one of the few pioneers in Rock and Roll that wrote his own music. The songs appealed to teenagers because he sang about topics that resonated with them. He was a master at using the song title many times during the song. It made it easier for record sales, juke boxes, and radio request lines. His songs were very “danceable” and teemed with a fresh, raw, teenage energy. 

His impact on Bob Dylan and The Beatles (no one mentions the Everly Brothers, but the impact is undeniable) has been well documented. But his impact upon teenagers in the late 50’s and us older teenagers at age 70 remains as a defining memory in our coming of age experience. 

My Top Ten Favorite Buddy Holly Songs: 

1. That'll Be The Day  *

2. Peggy Sue

3. OH Boy!

4. Everyday

5. It's So Easy

6. Maybe Baby

7. Rave On

8. Think It Over

9. It Doesn't Matter Anymore

10. Early In The Morning

* This song was inspired by the oft-used line of John Wayne in what is arguably the Greatest Western ever made: The Searchers

A candle's light is not determined by how long it burns, but how brightly it shines. For only one and one-half years Buddy Holly's candle shone very, very brightly while he was with us. His music will shine in our hearts forever. 

R.I.P.     Charles Hardin "Buddy" Holly.