Celebrations center on birth, not ‘Day Music Died’
It was 41 years ago today that Charles Hardin “Buddy” Holley, the 22-year-old innovative musician who created waves from Lubbock to New York City, perished when a private plane piloted by Roger Peterson in snowy weather crashed into a vacant field near Mason City, Iowa.
Holley’s real name was misspelled Holly on his first recording contract and the artist opted to continue to drop a vowel.
Also dying in the crash were musicians Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson. Both had performed with Holly that same night in a Winter Dance Party at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa.
The city of Lubbock traditionally holds a celebratory music festival near Holly’s birth date (Sept. 7) each year, with little recognition of the day he died which also was referred to by singer-songwriter Don McLean in his hit “American Pie” as “the day the music died.”
However, today the Buddy Holly Center, which opened in 1999 at 1801 Ave. G, will remain open until 8 p.m. in observance of the anniversary of Holly’s death.
The center features a permanent exhibit on the life and music of Holly. The display includes the musician’s Fender Stratocaster guitar, clothing, photographs, recordings and Holly’s now famous horn-rimmed glasses.
Today the center will allow each visitor buying a $3 ticket to bring along one friend at no additional charge.
Also, rock ‘n’ roll historian Bill Griggs will air his own tribute, featuring music from Holly’s era, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. today on KDAV-Radio (1590-AM).
Considered a major musical influence, Holly initially played country music with boyhood friend Bob Montgomery in Lubbock, drifting toward rhythm ‘n’ blues after catching a local concert by Elvis Presley. He would not find success, however, until he and band members called The Crickets recorded at Norman Petty’s studio in Clovis, N.M.
Their first hit was “That’ll Be the Day” in May 1957.
Holly recorded under his own name and that of the group. For example, “That’ll be the Day” was credited to The Crickets and “Peggy Sue” solely to Holly.
In 1958 he attempted a solo career, marrying the former Maria Elena Santiago and relocating to New York. He continued to record hits, including “Early in the Morning” in July 1958 and “Heartbeat” in November 1958.
His song “I Guess it Doesn’t Matter Anymore” climbed to the top of England’s music charts shortly after his death.
Holly is buried in City of Lubbock Cemetery.
His career lasted only 18 months. The film “The Buddy Holly Story” was released in 1978 and earned actor Gary Busey an Academy Award nomination. A life-size bronze statue of Buddy Holly was unveiled in 1979 near the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center.
Thus far, 45 artists, including Holly, have been memorialized in the West Texas Walk of Fame that surrounds the statue.
The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal is in the beginning stages of creating a Buddy Holly archive at the Internet Web site www.lubbockonline.com; those visiting the Web site today can turn to a link called lubbockmusic.com/buddyholly and read The Avalanche-Journal’s original reporting of the fatal plane crash.
By WILLIAM KERNS
A-J Entertainment Editor
