Buddy Holly
Buddy Holly (born in Lubbock, Texas as Charles Hardin Holley, September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959) was an American rock and roll singer–songwriter. Buddy Holly was important in the history of rock and roll music overall, and in the sub genre, rockabilly music.
Buddy Holly | |
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 Buddy Holly in 1957 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Charles Hardin Holley |
| Born | September 7, 1936 Lubbock, Texas USA |
| Died | February 3, 1959 (aged 22) Clear Lake, Iowa, USA |
| Genres | Rock and roll, rockabilly, pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1956 – 1959 |
| Labels | Decca |
| Associated acts | The Crickets |
| Website | BuddyHolly.com |
Holly played several different types of instruments. His style was influenced by gospel music, country music, and rhythm and blues. The style of his music shifted from country and western to entirely rock and roll. His group were called The Crickets.
Buddy Holly died on February 3, 1959 when a Beechcraft Bonanza 35 airplane carrying him crashed into a field near Mason City, Iowa. Also killed in the crash were Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, including pilot Roger Peterson.
Singer Don McLean's popular 1971 song "American Pie" made February 3 known as "The Day the Music Died."