Photo courtesy Texas Music Museum (1936-1959) Birthplace: Lubbock Genre: Rock and Roll Influenced: Innumerable rock artists form the Beatles and the Rolling Stones to the Grateful Dead, Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello Other Sites: The Buddy Holly Memorabilia Web Page Official Buddy Holly Site

Like a meteor that tracks across the night sky, Buddy Holly's career was short and spectacular. His first rock 'n' roll recording was released in May 1957, and his life ended tragically in an airplane crash in early 1959, but in those few months Buddy Holly caught the attention of generations of rock 'n'rollers. Technically, he pioneered in several ways: by writing his own material; by double-tracking his recordings in the studio; and by popularizing the standard rock lineup of two guitars, bass, and drums. But his appeal lies elsewhere, in the joy and drive of his songs.

Born Charles Hardin Holley, Buddy Holly was the youngest of four children, all of whom were encouraged to develop their musical talents. Buddy took up the acoustic guitar and taught himself how to play, following brief attempts to learn the piano and steel guitar from a teacher. While still in junior high school Buddy formed the nucleus of a band with a fellow student, playing western music and what was called "bop" at the time. Then in the fall of 1953 he and Montgomery got together with bassist Larry Welborn to play on Lubbock radio station KDAV.

The trio persevered through high school and made a few demos, which they sent off to Decca Records. In 1956 Decca offered Holly a contract as a country soloist, but his two releases made nary a ripple, and Decca terminated the contract. Holly and his friends returned to Lubbock but continued to open for touring bands at the Lubbock Youth Center.

One of those acts was Elvis Presley, who Holly later credited with moving the band toward rock 'n' roll. What Holly saw and heard that night must have struck him as something he had been wanting to do all along.

In February 1957 Holly and his band drove to Clovis, New Mexico, to make the demo recordings that would launch their rock 'n' roll fame. "That'll Be the Day" caught the attention of New York-based Coral/Brunswick and the newly renamed Buddy Holly and the Crickets soon had a contract. "That'll Be the Day" rose to number 3 by the end of the year. Others hits followed quickly, including "Peggy Sue," "Oh, Boy!" "Maybe, Baby," and "Rave On." The Crickets undertook a whirlwind schedule of tours to Australia, Florida, and Great Britain, and television appearances on such shows as American Bandstand and the Ed Sullivan Show..

In the summer of 1958 Holly did something hopelessly romantic: he proposed on his first date; Maria Elena Santiago of New York City accepted, and they were married in August. After a tour Holly announced in October that he was leaving for New York. The manager objected, and Holly reluctantly parted with the Crickets, who the manager had persuaded to stay under his management.

Due to financial difficulties that arose in the following disputes, Holly was obliged to go on the fatal February 1959 Winter Dance Party tour on which he died in a small plane crash that also killed singers Ritchie Valens, J.P. "Big Bopper" Richardson and the pilot.