Buddy Holly Archives

Buddy Holly, the legend, meet Buddy Holly, the person.

With the opening of the Buddy Holly Center Friday, in conjunction with the Crossroads of Texas Music Festival, Lubbock residents will have the chance to see details from the life of one of its most famous sons.

”We’re trying to put Buddy Holly and his music into context,” said Connie Gibbons, director of cultural arts for the City of Lubbock. ”Here you get to deal with the individual at a lot of levels.”

As visitors enter the Holly exhibit, they are greeted by a large black and white photo of the musician doing what he loved Ð playing his guitar.

Then comes the opportunity to learn about the evolution of rock ‘n’ roll music from its early roots in the 1920s to a turning point with Holly’s death in 1959.

A second timeline features details of Holly’s life such as when he began playing guitar and when he signed his first record deal.

Guests also a treated to a glimpse of two famous Holly icons Ð the unique glasses, recovered from the crash site in Iowa, and his last guitar which traveled on the bus while he took the ill-fated flight.

With the snip of a ribbon, more than 50 years of memories came flooding back for many Lubbock residents as the new Buddy Holly Center formally opened its doors to the public Friday.

Filled with musical entertainment by bands and a choir from Buddy Holly’s Lubbock alma maters, the ribbon-cutting ceremony gave local dignitaries such as Mayor Windy Sitton the opportunity to express how thrilled they were at what the center has become.

”This is a fabulous time to be in Lubbock,” Sitton said. ”This is such a special day. This is your center, and you should be so proud of it.”

Many of the center’s visitors shared Sitton’s feelings.

”It’s really wonderful that the city can honor one of its favorite artists,” said James Smith. ”This is really great.”

As the hundreds of visitors filed into the Buddy Holly Museum Ð the center also features the Texas Musicians Hall of Fame and an art gallery Ð many were overcome by memories more than 40 years old.

”I think it’s a wonderful center,” said Deanna Simons. ”It has a lot of great things. It brings back some good memories.”

Melba Jones and Connie Dean knew Holly during their years at Lubbock High School, although he was a senior when they were sophomores.

The two were struck by many of the pieces from Holly’s early years such as his Boy Scout uniform and some of his leather work.

”We didn’t know him when he was little,” Jones said. ”But, I’m sure we saw him wear some of (the leather work).”

Jones said seeing much of the memorabilia brought back pleasant memories of many high school activities.

”After Buddy graduated, we started going to his dances in 1956 and 1957,” she said. ”We didn’t have high school dances, but that was a place for kids to go. We looked forward to it so much.”

Jones and Dean admitted they would have to come back to the center when it was less crowded and they had more time to read all of the information.

Even though she knew Holly, Jones was a little surprised at her reaction to the center.

”It’s kind of touching,” she said. ”Actually, it’s very touching. It’s kind of hard to remember, and yet you do. But this is really great.”

By ANDREA BROYLES
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal