Buddy Holly
Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 9:42AM ;)
I was eight years old and sitting in a barber shop in Pendtleton, Oregon, when I first heard the news that Buddy Holly had died - killed in a plane crash along with the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens. I wasn't getting a haircut - Mom always cut my hair in those days. I was with someone who was - but who? An older brother? A friend? I can't remember.
Mom didn't like any of us kids to listen to Rock & Roll. She feared it would lead us astray, into the paths of sin and darkness.
Yet, she was very amused when Mac, the tall twin, went dancing around the living room to Holly's "That'll be the Day" as if he himself were Buddy Holly, playing guitar and singing. The phrase, "air guitar" had not yet come to be, but air guitar is what it was.
;)
Last weekend Margie and I saw that there was going to be a Buddy Holly tribute on TV. I hardly watch TV, but thought I would take it in. I couldn't watch the whole thing. I don't want to insult any of the performers, like Lyle Lovett - they meant well and they did their best, but they just didn't bring the drive and energy to the music in the way Holly did - and that was what I wanted to hear. Somehow, they made his lively songs seem tired and worn out. I had to get up and walk away from the TV. I felt a little bad, because Maria Elena Holly, Buddy's wife, was there as the honored guest and it seemed a little disrespectful to just walk away, but I couldn't listen anymore.
So I downloaded Buddy Holly onto my iPhone, plugged it into the Escape stereo and listened to the real thing on my coffee break.
It was good... real good...
Sounded just like Buddy Holly is supposed to sound.
The music did not die...
Buddy Holly in Aircraft, Wasilla, music
Reader Comments (4)
I was born 2 years after Buddy Holly's death. My father, who was 23 when Holly died, was a big fan, and made sure his three children had a love and appreciation of Holly's music.
Another great talent who died way, too early. I loved that the Grateful Dead brought new listeners to "Not Fade Away".
Buddy died in a field not far from my Hubby's home. It was a sad day for Clear Lake, for Iowa and the country. Thanks for remembering him and stimulating my memory.
Ah! One of my best memories of childhood was going to visit my friend Mary and listening to Buddy Holly with her. I was about 9 and she was in her 50's. She had Cerebral Palsy I believe, I'm not exactly sure, and until recently I didn't even know her last name,Melak. She couldn't speak clearly or walk but she could laugh a lot, and taught me so much. I loved her dearly. I would go over and visit her, I would read her the Mad Libs that had been filled in during the bus ride home after school by me and my friends. Even the ones I didn't think were that funny she would laugh and laugh, which was extremely contagious. She had a cassette player in her room and a tape case filled with rock and roll, and I would go into her room and I would ask "Buddy Holly?" and she would smile and say "yeah!" so I would put it on and we would be jamming out in her room. Mary is at peace in heaven now, and I will always always remember her, especially when I see or hear anything about Buddy Holly. Thank you Bill!