Buddy Holly

Charles Hardin Holley (September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959), known as Buddy Holly, was an American singer and songwriter who was a central and pioneering figure of mid-1950s rock and roll. He was born to a musical family in Lubbock, Texas, during the Great Depression, and learned to play guitar and sing alongside his siblings. Holly's style was influenced by gospel music, country music, and rhythm and blues acts, which he performed in Lubbock with his friends from high school.

Holly made his first appearance on local television in 1952, and the following year he formed the group "Buddy and Bob" with his friend Bob Montgomery. In 1955, after opening for Elvis Presley, Holly decided to pursue a career in music. He opened for Presley three times that year; his band's style shifted from country and western to entirely rock and roll. In October that year, when Holly opened for Bill Haley & His Comets, he was spotted by Nashville scout Eddie Crandall, who helped him get a contract with Decca Records.

Holly's recording sessions at Decca were produced by Owen Bradley, who had become famous for producing orchestrated country hits for stars like Patsy Cline. Unhappy with Bradley's musical style and control in the studio, Holly went to producer Norman Petty in Clovis, New Mexico, and recorded a demo of "That'll Be the Day", among other songs. Petty became the band's manager and sent the demo to Brunswick Records, which released it as a single credited to "The Crickets", which became the name of Holly's band. In September 1957, as the band toured, "That'll Be the Day" topped the US and UK singles charts. Its success was followed in October by another major hit, "Peggy Sue."

The album The "Chirping" Crickets, released in November 1957, reached number five on the UK Albums Chart. Holly made his second appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in January 1958 and soon after toured Australia and then the UK. In early 1959, he assembled a new band, consisting of future country music star Waylon Jennings (bass), famed session musician Tommy Allsup (guitar), and Carl Bunch (drums), and embarked on a tour of the midwestern US. After a show in Clear Lake, Iowa, Holly chartered an airplane to travel to his next show in Moorhead, Minnesota. Soon after takeoff, the plane crashed, killing Holly, Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper, and pilot Roger Peterson in a tragedy later referred to by Don McLean as "The Day the Music Died" in his song "American Pie."

During his short career, Holly wrote and recorded many songs. He is often regarded as the artist who defined the traditional rock-and-roll lineup of two guitars, bass, and drums. Holly was a major influence on later popular music artists, including Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, The Hollies, Elvis Costello, Dave Edmunds, Marshall Crenshaw, and Elton John. Holly was among the first artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 1986. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him number 13 in its list of "100 Greatest Artists" in 2010.

Birth and Death Data: Born January 1, 1936 (Lubbock), Died February 3, 1959 (Clear Lake, Iowa)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1955 - 1970

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, guitar, lead guitar, electric guitar

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 102021 3/18/1957 I'm looking for someone to love Crickets, The ; Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Decca 102022 3/18/1957 That'll be the day Crickets, The ; Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Decca 102255 4/15/1957 Words of love Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 102256 4/15/1957 Mailman bring me no more blues-1 Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 103104 8/12/1957 Not fade away Crickets, The ; Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 103105 8/12/1957 Everyday Crickets, The ; Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 103179 8/26/1957 Oh boy (-1) Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 103180 8/26/1957 Peggy Sue Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 103257 9/12/1957 I'm gonna love you too Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 103258 9/12/1957 Listen to me Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 103259 9/16/1957 One faded rose-1 Charlie Phillips vocalist, instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Decca 103260 9/16/1957 Sugartime Charlie Phillips instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Decca 103526 10/15/1957 You've got love Crickets, The ; Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Decca 103527 10/15/1957 Maybe baby (MC 7452 MCA MCA-3040)-1 Crickets, The ; Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Decca 103528 10/15/1957 It's too late Crickets, The ; Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 103529 10/15/1957 Tell me how Crickets, The ; Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 103530 10/15/1957 An empty cup (and a broken date) Crickets, The ; Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Decca 103531 10/15/1957 Send me some lovin Crickets, The ; Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 103532 10/15/1957 Last night Crickets, The ; Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 103533 10/15/1957 Rock me, my baby Crickets, The ; Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Decca 104199 July 1957 Ready Teddy-2 Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Decca 104200 12/19/1957 (You're so square) Baby I don't care Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 104201 July 1957 Valley of tears-1 Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Decca 104202 1/26/1958 Rave on Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 104203 12/19/1957 Look at me-1 Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 104204 12/19/1957 Little baby Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 104215 1/26/1958 That's my desire Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 104738 4/7/1958 Take your time-1 Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 104739 4/7/1958 Well ... all right Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 104993 5/19/1958 Think it over Crickets, The ; Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 104994 5/19/1958 Fool's paradise Crickets, The ; Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 105182 6/19/1958 Early in the morning Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 105183 6/19/1958 Now we're one Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 105286 7/11/1958 Real wild child-1 Jerry Allison vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, lead guitar  
Decca 105287 2/15/1958 Oh you beautiful doll-2 Jerry Allison vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 105511 8/14/1958 Heartbeat Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 105562 8/26/1958 It's so easy Crickets, The ; Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 105563 8/26/1958 Lonesome tears Crickets, The ; Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 105869 10/21/1958 True love ways Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 105870 10/21/1958 It doesn't matter anymore Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 105871 10/21/1958 Raining in my heart Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 105872 10/21/1958 Moondreams Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 106309 1/5/1959 Stay close to me Lou Giordano instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 106310 1/5/1959 Don't cha know-1 Lou Giordano vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 107120 4/23/1959 When sin stops-1 Waylon Jennings instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 107121 4/23/1959 Jole blon Waylon Jennings instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 107694 6/30/1959 Peggy Sue got married Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 107695 12/14/1958 Crying, waiting, hoping Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 108598 1/19/1960 That's what they say Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 108599 1/19/1960 What to do Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 108600 12/17/1958 Learning the game Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 108601 12/8/1958 That makes it tough Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 110997 8/21/1961 Baby won't you come out tonight Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Decca 110998 8/21/1961 Bo Diddley Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 110999 8/21/1961 I guess I was just a fool Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Decca 111000 8/21/1961 It's not my fault Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Decca 111001 8/21/1961 I tried to forget (see note) Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Decca 111002 8/21/1961 I'm gonna set my foot down Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Decca 111003 8/21/1961 Changin' all those changes Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Decca 111004 8/21/1961 Rock-a-bye rock Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Decca 111005 January 1957 Brown eyed handsome man Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Decca 111006 8/21/1961 Because I love you Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Decca 111007 8/21/1961 You're the one Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 112352 6/19/1962 Reminiscing Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 112353 6/19/1962 Wait till the sun shines, Nellie Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Decca 112762 11/14/1962 Reminiscing Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 112763 11/14/1962 Slippin' and slidin'-1 Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 112764 11/14/1962 Bo Diddley Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 112765 11/14/1962 Wait till the sun shines, Nellie-2 Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Decca 112766 11/14/1962 Baby won't you come out tonight Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 112767 11/14/1962 Brown eyed handsome man Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 112768 11/14/1962 Because I love you Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 112769 11/14/1962 It's not my fault Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 112770 11/14/1962 I'm gonna set my foot down Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 112771 11/14/1962 I'm changing all those changes Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 112772 11/14/1962 Rock-a-bye rock Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 113149 July-August 1958 Wishing Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 114085 10/11/1963 Wishing Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 114086 10/3/1963 What to do Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 114087 10/11/1963 Rip it up Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 114088 10/5/1963 Peggy Sue got married Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 114089 10/11/1963 Blue suede shoes Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 114090 10/14/1963 Cryin', waiting, hoping Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 114091 10/11/1963 Honky tonk (Instrumental)-1 Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 114092 10/8/1963 That makes it tough Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 114093 10/3/1963 That's what they say Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 114094 10/11/1963 (Ummm, oh yeah) Dearest Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 114095 10/11/1963 Gone Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 114096 10/17/1963 Learning the game Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 114097 10/11/1963 Shake, rattle and roll Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 114367 1/15/1964 Come back baby Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 114368 1/15/1964 Love's made a fool of you Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 114930 6/12/1964 Flower of my heart Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 114931 6/12/1964 Door to my heart Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 114932 6/12/1964 I gambled my heart Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 114933 6/12/1964 Soft place in my heart Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 114934 6/12/1964 Down the line-1 Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 114935 6/12/1964 You and I are through Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 114936 6/12/1964 Gotta get you near me blues Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 114937 6/12/1964 I wanna play house with you-2 Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 115917 1954 or 1955 Baby it's love Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Decca 115918 1954 or 1955 Memories Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Decca 115919 1954 or 1955 Queen of the ballroom-1 Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Decca 117145 3/15/1966 That's my desire Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 117146 3/12/1965 Maybe baby Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 120714 8/22/1968 Love is strange-1 Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 120715 8/22/1968 Good rockin' tonight Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 120716 8/22/1968 Blue Monday Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 120717 8/22/1968 Have you ever been lonely-1 Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 120718 8/22/1968 Slippin' and slidin'-1 Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 120719 8/22/1968 You're the one Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 120720 8/22/1968 (Ummm, oh yeah) Dearest-1 Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 120721 8/22/1968 Smokey Joe's Cafe-2 Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 120722 8/22/1968 Ain't got no home-1 Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 120723 8/22/1968 Holly hop (Instrumental) Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 123172 10/12/1970 Raining in my heart Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 123173 10/12/1970 Baby my heart Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 123174 10/12/1970 Little baby Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 123175 10/12/1970 Well, all right Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 123176 10/12/1970 Love's made a fool of you Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 123177 10/12/1970 Rock me my baby Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 123178 10/12/1970 Midnight shift Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 123179 10/12/1970 Maybe baby Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 123180 10/12/1970 Listen to me Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 123181 10/12/1970 What to do Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca 123182 10/12/1970 Not fade away Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca NA 9280 1/26/1956 Love me Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca NA 9281 1/26/1956 Don't come back knocking Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca NA 9282 1/26/1956 Midnight shift Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca NA 9283 1/26/1956 Blue days, black nights Buddy Holly vocalist  
Decca NA 9453 7/22/1956 Rock around with Ollie Vee Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca NA 9454 7/22/1956 I'm changing all those changes Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca NA 9455 7/22/1956 That'll be the day Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca NA 9456 7/22/1956 Girl on my mind Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca NA 9457 7/22/1956 Ting-a-ling Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca NA 9586 11/15/1956 Rock around with Ollie Vee Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca NA 9587 11/15/1956 Modern Don Juan Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca NA 9588 11/15/1956 You are my one desire Buddy Holly vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Holly, Buddy," accessed March 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/204633.

Holly, Buddy. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/204633.

"Holly, Buddy." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/204633

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