Lubbock in Lubbock County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Buddy Holly
Charles Hardin "Buddy” Holley was born in Lubbock on September 7, 1936, to Ella Pauline (Drake) and Lawrence Odell "L.O.” Holley. The youngest of four children, Buddy grew up in a musical household, with his mother and siblings singing and playing instruments. Buddy showed musical aptitude, taking violin, piano and steel guitar lessons. He took up the acoustic guitar after his brother, Travis, bought a $15 Harmony model.
Buddy, with other young Lubbock "pickers,” formed several country groups. In 1955, he saw Elvis Presley in concert and was impressed by Presley's rhythm and performance style. Buddy and his friends were opening for big country acts at the Fair Park Coliseum when Eddie Crandall, an agent and manager, saw a performance and helped Buddy broker a Decca recording contract. Buddy's last name was misspelled on the contract: "Holley” became "Holly.” Buddy's relationship with Decca was short-lived as his early recording sessions failed to produce a hit.
In 1957, Buddy and his new band, The Crickets, began working with producer Norman Petty in Clovis, New Mexico. On February 25, 1957, they recorded "That'll Be The Day,” the first of several hits on the Brunswick label. Their success led the band to tour widely in the United States and Canada.
In 1958, Buddy Holly and the Crickets toured England. The group had a profound influence on rock and roll in England - from their sound to Buddy's distinct look. On February 3, 1959, during a three-week tour of the Midwestern United States, Buddy's chartered plane crashed after takeoff due to bad weather. There were no survivors. Buddy Holly was 22 years old.
Marker is property of the State of Texas
Erected 2016 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18312.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical date for this entry is February 3, 1959.
Location. 33° 34.7′ N, 101° 50.55′ W. Marker is in Lubbock, Texas, in Lubbock County. Marker is on Crickets Avenue north of Highway 62, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lubbock TX 79401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. J.I. Allison House circa 1950s (here, next to this marker); F W & D South Plains Railway Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); The McCartney Oak (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Buddy Holly (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Cactus Theater (about 600 feet away); Lubbock's First Cotton Gin (approx. 0.4 miles away); Carlock Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lubbock Post Office and Federal Building (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lubbock.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 338 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 27, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.