Weve got to face facts, its not like Buddys face is plastered all over People Magizine, or MTV. So in saying that, im curious as to how so many people, save for those who were alive during his lifetime, ever disovered Buddy and his music. I know myself it was my mothers love for Ritchie Valens, which led to me becoming a big fan and buying the La Bamba soundtrack, which had Buddys Crying Waiting Hoping on it. I ran out about an hour later and bought my first Buddy Holly Cd, then the next day i bought another, then another, until i had about 12.Unfortunatly i cant find anymore, which really makes me mad because none of them have Ollie Vee on them, the only version Ive ever heard of that song was Buseys version, which i love. Anyway, i was just curious, as for a long time I thought that i must have been the only teenager in the world who was in love with Buddy and his music.

I took a History of Rock and Roll class my sophomore year of college, and the rest is history.

I have a cd with Ollie Vee on it; it's called The Great Buddy Holly. I just got it at a cd store in an outlet mall. Good luck!

You are not the only teenager in the world who is in love with Buddy. Two years ago, in my grade eight english class, we read the Outsiders. For those of you who don't know, the book is set in the 1950's, and is a very good read. Anyways, though there is no mention of Buddy in that book, the teacher had us do a project on artists of the 1950's. Isn't it funny how fate works? Let me explain. All the groups and their subject were chosen by the teacher, who drew the names out of a hat. So I really am not exaggerating when I say it was all luck that I found Buddy. I did the project mostly by myself (even though we were assigned a partner) just because I found this man's life so interesting and at the same time so tragic. All of my friends went back to their regualr music tastes when the project was over, but I was hooked. I love oldies music, most of all Buddy's, though you might catch me sometimes listening to Evanescence or something.
Ollie Vee can also be found on the CD the Original Master Tapes (it's a pink and green cover with Buddy in a purple sweatshirt.)

Ive read the Outsiders, most unfortunatly though none of my teachers has ever givin me an assignment to do on 50s nastalgia.And dont be ashamed, I listen to a bit of modern music too.....but only when noone is looking.... Is Buddy seriously wearing a puple sweatshirt on that cover?....holy crap man, almost all the pictures Iv'e ever seen of him hes either wearing white black or pink...

......Hes hot in anything he wears though, and we have to give liscence for the fact that it was the 50s and they dressed quite a bit differently than we do....

.....Hes hot in anything he wears though, and we do have to give licesnce for the fact that it was the 50s, and they dressed quite differently back then they we do nowadays....

dammit i didnt think it worked the first time...

My father was watching "The Buddy Holly Story" on TV, when I was like 6 years old; and I ended up watching with him. I really liked the music, from what I remember.

I didn't exactly become an instant fan, being only 6, but I never forgot his name or what he looked like (or at least what the actor looked like who was playing him ).

quote:

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Originally posted by crazy_for_buddy:
Weve got to face facts, its not like Buddys face is plastered all over MTV.

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Wouldn't I love to see that. I guess though I ought to be thankful that they havent gotten the "bright" idea to plaster Elvis' face over the TV. Though Weezer did do the Buddy Holly song, which got them some attention, and I suppose that was over MTV, though I doubt many people recognized the name or resemblance. I believe it is also Matthew Good who bears a startling resemblance to Buddy in one of his videos. As much as I would like to see Buddy's face on MTV, how many people would even bother to take notice?
Did you know it was the Big Bopper who actually came up with the idea of a "music video" if my memory and source serve me right? Imagine if Buddy had ever done a music video? What would it have been like? Would he have been filmed on stage, plain and simple, or done one of those senario videos, I guess the best video of the times to compare it too (and about the only "oldies" music video I've seen) is Elvis' Jailhouse Rock. Man, what that guy could have done. *shakes head*

I love Weezer, and especially there song Buddy Holly.Actually, what first attracted me to the band was the fact that Rivers Cuomo(the singer) does look alot like Buddy, in fact, I've got pictures of them in my room side by side and half the time I've got to look twice to distingush between the two.But your right, I doubt that anyone watching the video at the time knew who the hell Buddy Holly was, although strangly enough whenever someone asks me who Im listening to they say the name rings a bell.It would have been nice to perhaps get some Buddy footage in there, then mabey more people could make the connection .However most unfortunatly, someone did have the bright idea to plaster Elvis all over MTV, with that A Lttle Less Conversation song. Omg, i almost passed out when I saw that. But there is one thing we can all take assurence in. I have several best of the 50s CDs, and on every single one of them Buddy makes an apperance, and I have yet to see one where theres any sign of Elvis.Thank God.As for the music videos, I think Buddy would have been pretty conservitive, it would have been simple, and it would have showcased the music instead of himself as in the Elvis videos. Buddy was interested in music, not movies, plus I think he was a little bit too shy to have wanted to be in front of a camera doing anything but slammin on his Strat.Buddy just seems like the kind of person that would have kept away from the whole "Hollywood" scene. Its almost like he would have rathered to stay behind the scenes and produce rather than be in the public eye and preform. And I think should he have lived it would have eventually become that way. Afterall, he had already produced several hits for other artists, not to mention producing his own material.Plus, he had his own recording studio and label in the works, and apparently he wanted to do scores for film. It was becoming obvious near the end that he was slowly getting away from being a performer, and creeping toward, well, everything but.I dont think he would have stopped completly, mabey just have taken a break, but either way I think we today would be hearing more about his prestigeous work behind the record industry, rather than in it.

You talk about how Buddy had a label and studio in the works, along with producing many artists already before his death and promising many more (I believe Ritchie Valens was included in this promise?) that he would produce them when he got back. Well, obviously, that never happened. How many artists did we lose on February 3, because Buddy wasn't around to produce it and no other produce would hear of producing this nobody singer, that only Buddy Holly was willing produce. Surely, we lost more than three artists that snowy night.
If there was anywhere Buddy was comfortable slamming on his Strat, it was the stage, feeling the audience. Although J.I. was pretty much confined behind his drums, Buddy and Joe B. seemed to have a good time up there, jumping around, Joe B would lay on his back while playing (I have seen actual footage of this!) Buddy would sing into Joe B.'s bass mike. As Joe B. said, "anytime Buddy bought something, it was the best you could get, as an example, his Stratocaster. It was probably the first solid body guitar in Texas, I had never seen one before and was very impressed." The same can be easily applied to anything he did, he did with pride, and always did the best that he could. And to see a music video of nothing but him working the frets, would be totally natural, and be a hit video. Because it was Buddy. No need for an absurd story line, Buddy tells us all we need to know.
"Apparently he wanted to do scores for films." That intrigues me, because Buddy couldn't read music. Would he have learned? Would it have affected the music that he played, if you willing, unknowing (which is what he played his whole life) versus knowing, (one who understands whole and half notes, the duration of a quater and sixteenth note, flats, sharps and accidentals in music) would it have changed his style?
Mind you, Buddy was always true, as we see in the Winter Dance Party pictures. He didn't want to smile, was nearly incapable of smiling, yet for the fans he does it, cause he's true to both them and himself. So I have no doubt that Waylon Jennings is an excellent example of how Buddy would have been in his later years. Gentle, but fierce too. "You mess with my music, and I get mean. As long as you are honest and up front with me, I will be with you. But I still do things my way." -Waylon Jennings.

I dont think it would have been very practicle for Buddy to have produced anything by Ritchie Valens, afterall, his studio was supposed to be set in Lubbock,and Ritchie lived and recorded just outside of Los Angeles. Not to mention, young Mr.Valens wasnt too fond of flying,so having to fly to Lubbock constantly to record wouldnt have been in his best interests. When you say that Buddy couldnt read music, that shocks me and yet it doesnt. I would have thought that in the instruments he played in his youth he would have learned, because trust me, you'll have one hell of a time trying to play anything without knowing how to read the notes on the page. And yet, Buddys music is so....unconventional, that it seems almost impossible to be able to write it.In all his pieces you can hear those fundamental four chords, until he breaks into the guitar solo and weaves a complex melodic tune that has yet be succesfully duplicated.Would it have changed his style, should he have learned? Im guessing it would have, perhaps for the better, perhaps not. One of the best things about a Buddy Holly song is its unpredictability, and if he had every single pick of a string planned out and practiced before he played it, that edge of excitement would be gone.But at the same time, look at how much his music could have evloved should he have been aware of certain musical techniques.Mind you though, Buddys music was already evolved beyond the times, so I doubt that he really needed the formulative skill of reading music.But yes, apparently he did want to try to fumble his way through scores. Actually, I think Buddy himself would have performed on most of the scores, and then would have probably went around to each individual group of instuments telling then to knock of notes and chords until they hit the one that sounded right, and then have someone who could read music write it all down. I dont think Buddy would have sacraficed his musical style for anything, and doing the scores just seems like another thing that he would have done in a completly unconventional fashion, that he would have done his way.

Yes, that's what he did do when it came down to him needing to read music in the orchestra sessions-Paul Anka had handed him It Doesn't Matter Anymore three hours before Buddy was supposed to record Moondreams, Raining In My Heart and True Love Ways. It Doesn't Matter Anymore was a last minute addition, as Buddy rushed into Dick Jacobs' office, guitar in hand, begging the producer to record this song too. So between the two of them and Dick Jacobs' copier, Buddy sang the whole song, melody and harmony, while the other two put actual notes to produce a lead sheet and full score. What adds to the legend, as I've said many times, is that word is that Buddy conducted the orchestra sessions himself while recording his own vocals. Really, Buddy could have done anything, had he just lived longer.

If I remember correctly, some of Buddy's music was in "American Graffiti", and that is where I first heard his music. (well, I had heard his music sung by other people, not knowing it was his music, or knowing who he even was).

I bought the soundtrack to the movie and fell in love with his music. Then I watched "The Buddy Holly Story", which at the time I thought was great. (I now realise there were many errors in that move-however, it is a fun movie to watch).

I have loved Buddy's music for probably 30 years now. He is the best.

Julie

My story is pretty simple: I was raised on Buddy's music.

I was born in Texas in 1959, was raised listening to Buddy Holly tributes on Texas radio, and have listened to and collected Buddy's music religiously all my life. 45 years and never a day without Buddy Holly.

well im obly 14 but apparently when my dad was a boy, his dad looked exactly like buddy and people would come up to him and ask for his autograph (this was also after budd'ys death)

.....My grandad died in an elevator accident...and he was mistaken for buddy and there was a bif thing in the paper about it saying "the real buddy".....of course in the end every1 relised it wasnt him...but i became intrested in him because of that

i discovered buddy through 'american graffit' which featured 'that'll be the day' and 'maybe baby'. those songs stood out, because of the cool guitar work, sophisticated arrangements (for the fifties), and great lyrics. also, wolfman jack says "....the late, great buddy holly..." when introducing 'that'll be the day'. a character in the film says 'rock n' roll's been going downhill ever since buddy holly died...'.

beyond that, i remember having the 'american pie' album, which says 'dedicated to buddy holly' on the back. and that intrigued me. i thought - who is this guy that everyone keeps referring to in such glowing terms? and so i went out to a store and bought "20 golden greats". and i've never been the same since. finally, the british invasion and other 60's music made sense to me - i could see where it came from. rock n' roll was an american invention, and buddy was the prime artitect. most 50's music is the blues, sped-up. anyone could've taken what had gone before to that place. but buddy's songs were so much more sophisticated, featuring additional chords, turn-arounds, concepts, and recording techiques.

incidentally, are you all familiar with what buddy wrote at 16?

"..i have thought about making a career out of western music if i am good enough but i will just have to wait and see how that turns out".

Even more ironic is what he wrote to finish that particular essay in using words to this effect: "So that's my life up to this point, and as bad as it's going right now, I'd be in worse shape without it."

My first "real" girl friend was the one that made me a die-hard Buddy nut. When I met her in her living room after some dates outside, she showed me an LP called "Reminiscing" and the the turntable worked and the lights went down . . . I was so happy with her and Buddy's music. Crazy times, sometimes I'd like to recall all this, garage parties, going to dance clubs with Buddy and Eddie music (I was a member of the Blue Boys Dance Club in Dortmund, my home town), there will never be a time like this, everything was new, a wonderful time, every day I like to listen to Buddy Holly songs and all those hits of a wonderful era. Brenda Lee, Roy Orbison, The Chiffons, The Crystals, bring me back these days . . .

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jim,

I too found out about Buddy by being assigned a 50's PowerPoint presentation for American History. I started reading about him and listening to his music. He's just too cool. Also, I'm from Cleveland, so I've been to the Rock Hall several times. Seeing Buddy's outfits, amp, and banjo, and learning about his influence on music really solidified it.

I'm a high school junior, and it's really great to know that there are plenty of other people my age who enjoy Buddy's music--the music that started Rock n' Roll.

-Ashley-

Well...my story would probably be the oddest ROFL...but my first time I ever discovered Buddy was when I was 13. I went to Krogers with my dad and noticed a "Star" magazine...at that time I had a huge crush on Paul Rubens...aka..Pee Wee Herman...seeing he was in there...I asked dad if I could get it...he said yeah. Once in the car I decided to read my magazine. Then after reading the article on Paul Rubens...I started to flip the pages. Well..here came a hot looking guy with a smile, and snapping fingers. With curly brown hair and glasses. My first thought was "Where have you been all my life?" and then I promise you I felt the thunder bolt...it was love at first sight. Since then I normally fall for guys with glasses ROFL...and now I will be going to his hometown in July to get an idea myself what he kinda place he grew up in. Its been a dream since I was 13.
One day I checked out a book on Buddy Holly...they contain lyrics...I found out "Everday" was a song I heard from my childhood. I just never seen his face until that day I saw him in the magazine. He was and still is my first love.

noelle

i visited lubbock a few years back, and i have a suggestion for you. larry holley, buddy's brother, lives there, and is listed in the phone book. perhaps if you give him a call, he'd be willing to talk with you a bit. i did so when i was there, and he was very kind and gracious to me.

Like ConversationFear, I was raised on Buddy Holly music from Day One. I was born in Texas in 1959, the year he died. And, growing up in Texas, with Texas radio stations playing Buddy Holly religiously for years after his death, I was exposed to the music every day.

When did I realize I was a Buddy Holly fan? Probably about age 3, when I could sing "Peggy Sue" so proficiently, hiccups and all, that my family often prompted me to entertain guests with a performance. At that time, one of my aunts commented that I sounded just like the real Bill Haley... I corrected her: "That's Buddy Holly."

}8-]

I'm sure I must have heard Buddy's music growing up, but the first thing that made a strong impression on me was actually the movie -- I saw it a few times, then years later saw the musical and realized I was a fan

Hi John and Everyone,

You saw the moovie, Well I havent seen it I would like to know where I could buy it either DVD or the other format . In Philip Normans
Biography of Buddy, he says that the film was
terrible and not very correct, for instance it omits any meeting with Norman Petty, and that's a bit like an Elvis film without Tom Parker or The Beatles without Brian Epstein, I would like to hear others views on the film.

Best Wishes John Berry Franklin

if you view the film with the expectations that would be consistent with seeing a pinpoint accurate documentary about buddy, then you'll be greatly disappointed, because there were typical hollywood liberties taken and many key things left out.

but if you view the film as pure
entertainment, and put yourself in the position of someone who's never really heard of buddy holly, you will come away with a new found appreciation for him, his life, and his music.

the film did help people who otherwise were indifferent to take a new fresh look at buddy holly's life and music. but as to factual accuracy and specifics, it left quite a bit to be desired.

Thank you Jerry for your frank reply,
I will take what you have said on board as soon as I Find where I can Buy the film

John Berry Franklin

my suggestion on locating the film is that you go to www.alibris.com. they are likely to have a good used copy at a reasonable price.

best wishes.

Kudos to jerry on the analysis of The Buddy Holly Story movie. That film introduced me to Buddy at the age of 11 or 12. I had a copy of the soundtrack album, which familiarized me with the music, which led to the purchase of a copy of "20 Golden Greats" which I still have, although it's a bit scratched.

I read a library copy of the Norman biography, then purchased my own copy on Ebay. It took a little while for a nice hardcover copy to become available. I also found a nice used copy of the movie (DVD version) on Ebay. Of course, after having read the Norman book, the movie falls short (WAY short) as history.

I had heard Peggy Sue and Oh Boy on the oldies radio station but didn't know anything about Buddy. In 1979 the Des Moines newspaper had a big story on the 20th Anniversary of the crash. Living in Iowa and having been to Clear Lake with my family camping in the late 50's that started my interest in him. I was 26 then and am 54 now, so I have been a big fan since 1979. I would rather listen to his music than any of the boring pop crap out there now.

I discover Buddy day by day.

Unbelievable, but it's true.

I have new Buddy Holly video material and soundfiles that have never been issued before.

Have a look at my homepage that's very "hip" at the moment, lots of people are looking for my new and sensational information about Buddy, it's absolutely great.

Never befored released video and audio material is in my collection now, I'm so happy.

To make you happy, too:



YEAH, BUDDY !

It's great to find new material about Buddy Holly 46 years after he died.

I'll always remember Buddy Holly

Keep rockin'

Buddy's German buddy

HANS from Dortmund in Germany

My dad taught himself how to play the guitar when he was a teenager. Then when I was born, he played Buddy Holly on the guitar to me all the time when I was an infant. As I grew up, I watched the Buddy Holly story all the time. In fact, I had a pool stick that I'd use as my 'guitar', I had some Kermit the Frog thick plastic rimmed glasses, and I'd stand in front of the TV as the movie was playing and mimick 'Buddy's' every move. I listened to his CD so much (that was previously my dad's) it unofficially became my own.

Hm. As for now? A person I met through another message board I visit spent 2 years digging around and found every single Buddy Holly recording ever made (including demo, apartment tape, you name it), and sent me them (4 CD's with 37 songs each), and now I listen to them constantly.

My dad was one of those "crazy kids" listening to what came to be known as Rock and Roll. I've been told that I've been listening to Buddy Holly since before birth. Well, so have my kids. I have loved his music all my life and even have a copy of his guitar. I can't believe it took me so long for me to find this community. I feel like an idiot for not looking. What made me look is I watched the Buddy Holly Story again last night and got all excited about his music again.

Being born in 1950, I must have heard Buddy's music on Radio Luxemburg or another radio stations. It wasn't until my elder brother borrowed the 'Buddy Holly Story' LP in 1963 though that I became a really big fan of Buddy's. Since then I have become known for liking his music. In particular, the last 6 months as I write, I have if anything become an even bigger fan. I've managed to get my hands on wall-plates, badges, DVD's as well as even more CD's. I've even managed to track down and buy a 2nd hand copy of the LP that started my love affair with Buddy. The 'Buddy Holly Story' will soon be on my bed room wall along side the wall plates and picture discs that are already there. I was once known for my love of Country music, but as I used to remind folk, I loved Rock n Roll but particularly Buddy Holly even more.

I'm 34 & born 11 years after Buddy sadly left us. At the age of 10, I became a major music fan thanks to The Beatles. It's also thanks to The Beatles that I discovered the magic of Buddy Holly. His influence is so clearly evident throughout their work, be it their songwriting or vocals. All four Beatles never missed a chance to credit Buddy, & I'm living proof that leads others to discovering pioneers like Elvis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, The Everly Brothers & most importantly Buddy Holly. It's going on 25 years now that I've been a major Holly fan & I'm still in awe of his talent.