He recorded for several notable labels, including Decca and Brunswick Records, showcasing his versatility as an artist.
He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, honoring his contributions to the entertainment industry.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognizing his significant impact on the genre.
Biography
Early Life
Charles Hardin Holley, known to the world as Buddy Holly, was born on September 7, 1936, in Lubbock, Texas, into a musical family during the Great Depression. The youngest of four children, Holly was surrounded by music from an early age, with all but his father able to play an instrument or sing. His early exposure to music was further enhanced by his brothers, who performed in local talent shows. Holly's musical journey began with piano lessons at age 11, but he soon gravitated towards the guitar, inspired by a classmate's performance.
Career
Holly's career took off after he graduated from Lubbock High School in 1955, spurred by a live performance from Elvis Presley. He opened for Presley multiple times and began to shift his musical style from country to rock and roll. In 1956, he signed with Decca Records, where a misspelling of his surname led to his iconic stage name. Holly's innovative sound, characterized by his unique vocal style and guitar playing, quickly gained popularity. He produced several hit albums, including "Buddy Holly" and "That’ll Be the Day," solidifying his status as a rock and roll pioneer before his untimely death in a plane crash in 1959.
Personal Life
Holly married María Elena Santiago, a New York record company receptionist, on August 15, 1958. Their marriage was short-lived, as Holly died just six months later in a tragic accident. Despite the brevity of their time together, Santiago was pregnant at the time of his death, but sadly suffered a miscarriage shortly thereafter. Holly's personal life was also marked by a flirtatious relationship with Peggy Sue Gerron, who inspired his famous song "Peggy Sue."
Legacy
Buddy Holly's influence on music is profound, earning him posthumous accolades such as induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. His innovative style and contributions to rock music continue to resonate, making him a lasting icon in the industry.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
True Love Ways2018
- 1.Peggy Sue Got Married
- 2.Well… All Right
- 3.What to Do
- 4.That Makes It Tough
- 5.Now We’re One
- 6.Take Your Time
- 7.Crying, Waiting, Hoping
- 8.True Love Ways
- 9.Learning the Game
- 10.Little Baby
- 11.Moondreams
- 12.That’s What They Say
Purely … Buddy Holly2008
Tracklist not collected yet.
From the Original Master Tapes1985
- 1.That’ll Be the Day2:19
- 2.Oh, Boy!2:12
- 3.Not Fade Away2:25
- 4.Tell Me How2:03
- 5.Maybe Baby2:04
- 6.Everyday2:11
- 7.Rock Around With Ollie Vee2:16
- 8.It’s So Easy2:13
- 9.I’m Lookin’ for Someone to Love2:00
- 10.Peggy Sue2:32
- 11.I’m Gonna Love You Too2:17
- 12.Words of Love1:57
- 13.Rave On1:52
- 14.Well… All Right2:18
- 15.Listen to Me2:25
- 16.Think It Over1:48
- 17.Heartbeat2:11
- 18.Reminiscing2:02
- 19.It Doesn’t Matter Anymore2:06
- 20.True Love Ways3:01
Collection1984
- 1.Peggy Sue2:30
- 2.That’ll Be the Day2:17
- 3.Ready Teddy1:31
- 4.Rave On1:49
- 5.Ting‐a‐Ling2:40
- 6.Early in the Morning2:08
- 7.It’s So Easy2:11
- 8.Oh Boy2:08
- 9.Heartbeat2:09
- 10.Peggy Sue Got Married1:50
- 11.Everyday2:07
- 12.True Love Ways2:48
- 13.Brown Eyed Handsome Man2:05
- 14.Reminiscing1:55
For the First Time Anywhere1983
- 1.Rock‐A‐Bye Rock2:21
- 2.Maybe Baby (1st version)1:52
- 3.Because I Love You2:36
- 4.I’m Gonna Set My Foot Down2:18
- 5.Changing All Those Changes1:39
- 6.That’s My Desire2:22
- 7.Baby Won’t You Come Out Tonight1:51
- 8.It’s Not My Fault1:48
- 9.Brown‐Eyed Handsome Man2:02
- 10.Bo Diddley2:18
The History of Rock, Volume Two1981
- 1.Shake Rattle & Roll
- 2.Rock Around the Clock
- 3.Rock a Beatin’ Boogie
- 4.See You Later Alligator
- 5.Saints Rock’n’Roll
- 6.Rockin’ Through the Rye
- 7.Rip It Up
- 8.Don’t Knock the Rock
- 9.Hot Dog Buddy Buddy
- 10.Razzle Dazzle
- 11.Rip It Up
- 12.Long Tall Sally
- 13.Tutti Frutti
- 14.She’s Got It
- 15.The Girl Can’t Help It
- 16.Lucille
- 17.Jenny Jenny
- 18.Keep a Knockin’
- 19.Good Golly Miss Molly
- 20.Bama Lama Bama Loo
- 21.I’m in Love Again
- 22.Blueberry Hill
- 23.Ain’t That a Shame
- 24.Blue Monday
- 25.I’m Walkin’
- 26.Margie
- 27.Be My Guest
- 28.Walking to New Orleans
- 29.My Girl Josephine
- 30.I Want to Walk You Home
- 31.That’ll Be the Day
- 32.Peggy Sue
- 33.Oh Boy
- 34.Rave On
- 35.Maybe Baby
- 36.Think It Over
- 37.Listen to Me
- 38.It Doesn’t Matter Any More
- 39.Brown Eyed Handsome Man
- 40.Bo Diddley
Memories of Buddy Holly1981
- 1.Peggy Sue2:32
- 2.Everyday2:07
- 3.That’ll Be the Day2:17
- 4.Heartbeat2:14
- 5.Oh Boy2:10
- 6.Tell Me How1:58
- 7.True Love Ways2:51
- 8.Love’s Made a Fool of You2:02
- 9.Rave On1:51
- 10.It’s So Easy2:12
- 11.I’m Gonna Love You Too2:15
- 12.Not Fade Away2:23
- 13.Well…All Right2:15
- 14.Listen to Me2:22
- 15.It Doesn’t Matter Anymore2:06
- 16.Brown Eyed Handsome Man2:06
- 17.Down the Line1:59
- 18.I’m Gonna Set My Foot Down2:20
- 19.I Guess I Was Just a Fool2:10
- 20.Because I Love You2:52
- 21.Modern Don Juan2:37
- 22.Mailman Bring Me No More Blues2:10
- 23.Last Night1:54
- 24.Little Baby1:52
- 25.Baby I Don’t Care1:36
- 26.Valley of Tears2:09
- 27.Rock Me Baby1:50
- 28.You’ve Got Love2:03
- 29.Dearest (Umm Oh Yeah)1:53
- 30.That’s What They Say2:09
- 31.Crying, Waiting, Hoping2:14
- 32.You’re the One1:29
- 33.The Buddy Holly Interview
- 34.The Buddy Holly Interview
All Time Greatest Hits1980
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Complete Buddy Holly1979
- 1.Gotta Get You Near Me Blues1:53
- 2.Soft Place in My Heart2:12
- 3.Door to My Heart2:20
- 4.Flower of My Heart2:32
- 5.Baby It’s Love1:48
- 6.Memories2:12
- 7.Queen of the Ballroom2:19
- 8.I Gambled My Heart2:39
- 9.You and I Are Through2:03
- 10.Gone1:08
- 11.Have You Ever Been Lonely1:25
- 12.Down the Line2:00
- 13.Brown‐Eyed Handsome Man2:02
- 14.Bo Diddley2:18
- 15.Good Rockin’ Tonight1:58
- 16.Rip It Up1:24
- 17.Blue Monday1:59
- 18.Honky Tonk3:25
- 19.Blue Suede Shoes1:50
- 20.Shake, Rattle & Roll1:20
- 21.Ain’t Got No Home2:01
- 22.Holly Hop1:40
- 23.Baby Let’s Play House2:21
- 24.I’m Gonna Set My Foot Down2:18
- 25.Baby Won’t You Come Out Tonight1:51
- 26.Changing All Those Changes1:39
- 27.Rock‐a‐Bye Rock2:21
- 28.It’s Not My Fault1:48
- 29.I Guess I Was Just a Fool2:12
- 30.Love Me2:04
- 31.Don’t Come Back Knockin’2:12
- 32.Midnight Shift2:08
- 33.Blue Days – Black Nights2:01
- 34.Rock Around With Ollie Vee2:12
- 35.I’m Changing All Those Changes2:11
- 36.That’ll Be the Day2:26
- 37.Girl on My Mind2:14
- 38.Ting‐a‐Ling2:39
- 39.Because I Love You2:38
- 40.Rock Around With Ollie Vee2:15
- 41.Modern Don Juan2:37
- 42.You Are My One Desire2:20
- 43.That’ll Be the Day2:16
- 44.I’m Lookin’ for Someone to Love1:54
- 45.Last Night1:51
- 46.Maybe Baby1:52
- 47.Words of Love1:52
- 48.Peggy Sue2:27
- 49.Everyday2:06
- 50.Mailman Bring Me No More Blues2:10
- 51.Listen to Me2:18
- 52.I’m Gonna Love You Too2:12
- 53.Not Fade Away2:16
- 54.Ready Teddy1:30
- 55.Oh, Boy!2:05
- 56.Tell Me How1:57
- 57.Maybe Baby2:00
- 58.Send Me Some Lovin’2:32
- 59.Little Baby1:51
- 60.Take Your Time1:55
- 61.Rave On1:46
- 62.You’ve Got Love2:04
- 63.Valley of Tears2:05
- 64.Rock Me My Baby1:48
- 65.You’re So Square (Baby I Don’t Care)1:36
- 66.It’s Too Late2:21
- 67.An Empty Cup (and a Broken Date)2:10
- 68.Look at Me2:04
- 69.Think It Over1:43
- 70.Fool’s Paradise2:27
- 71.Early in the Morning2:05
- 72.Now We’re One2:03
- 73.Lonesome Tears1:45
- 74.Heartbeat2:07
- 75.It’s So Easy2:07
- 76.Well, All Right2:14
- 77.Love’s Made a Fool of You1:56
- 78.Wishing2:00
- 79.Reminiscing1:57
- 80.Come Back Baby1:45
- 81.That’s My Desire2:22
- 82.True Love Ways2:45
- 83.Moondreams2:38
- 84.Raining in My Heart2:45
- 85.It Doesn’t Matter Anymore2:00
- 86.Peggy Sue Got Married2:04
- 87.Crying, Waiting, Hoping2:10
- 88.Learning the Game2:09
- 89.That Makes It Tough2:36
- 90.What to Do1:52
- 91.That’s What They Say2:08
- 92.Wait ’til the Sun Shines Nellie1:51
- 93.Umm Oh Yeah (Dearest)1:50
- 94.Smokey Joe’s Cafe2:11
- 95.Slippin’ & Slidin’2:30
- 96.Love Is Strange3:04
- 97.Slippin’ & Slidin’3:35
- 98.Learning the Game1:59
- 99.Crying, Waiting, Hoping2:01
- 100.What to Do1:50
- 101.That Makes It Tough2:15
- 102.Peggy Sue Got Married1:48
- 103.That’s What They Say2:14
- 104.Dearest1:50
- 105.You’re the One2:00
- 106.Slippin’ & Slidin’3:33
- 107.Dearest1:50
- 108.Love Is Strange1:40
- 109.Peggy Sue Got Married1:48
- 110.That Makes It Tough2:16
- 111.Learning the Game1:33
- 112.You’re the One1:29
- 113.Real Wild Child2:16
- 114.Oh, You Beautiful Doll1:17
- 115.Jole Blon1:56
- 116.When Sin Stops Love Begins2:08
- 117.Stay Close to Me1:47
- 118.Don’t Cha Know1:49
- 119.Interview1:35
- 120.That’ll Be the Day / Peggy Sue / Interview with Ed Sullivan4:21
- 121.Interview with Alan Freed1:54
- 122.Interview with Dick Clark / It’s So Easy5:10
The Best of Buddy Holly1978
Tracklist not collected yet.
A Rock & Roll Collection1977
- 1.Rave On1:45
- 2.Tell Me How1:56
- 3.Peggy Sue Got Married1:47
- 4.Slippin’ and Slidin’2:30
- 5.Oh Boy!2:07
- 6.Not Fade Away2:19
- 7.Peggy Sue2:28
- 8.Brown Eyed Handsome Man2:04
- 9.You’re So Square1:34
- 10.Crying, Waiting, Hoping2:10
- 11.Ready Teddy1:29
- 12.It Doesn’t Matter Anymore2:01
- 13.Bo Diddley2:19
- 14.What to Do1:52
- 15.Heartbeat2:07
- 16.Well All Right2:12
- 17.Words of Love1:53
- 18.Love’s Made a Fool of You2:00
- 19.Reminiscing1:55
- 20.Lonesome Tears1:46
- 21.Listen to Me2:19
- 22.Maybe Baby2:00
- 23.Down the Line2:01
- 24.That’ll Be the Day2:14
20 Golden Greats1977
- 1.That’ll Be the Day
- 2.Peggy Sue
- 3.Words of Love
- 4.Everyday
- 5.Not Fade Away
- 6.Oh Boy!
- 7.Maybe Baby
- 8.Listen to Me
- 9.Heartbeat
- 10.Think It Over
- 11.It Doesn’t Matter Anymore
- 12.It’s So Easy
- 13.Well… All Right
- 14.Rave On
- 15.Raining in My Heart
- 16.True Love Ways
- 17.Peggy Sue Got Married
- 18.Bo Diddley
- 19.Brown Eyed Handsome Man
- 20.Wishing
The Complete Buddy Holly Story1973
Tracklist not collected yet.
Buddy Holly’s Greatest Hits, Volume Two1972
Tracklist not collected yet.
Portrait in Music1971
Tracklist not collected yet.
Portrait in Music, Volume 21971
Tracklist not collected yet.
Giant1969
Tracklist not collected yet.
Buddy Holly’s Greatest Hits1967
Tracklist not collected yet.
Holly in the Hills1965
Tracklist not collected yet.
Showcase1964
Tracklist not collected yet.
Reminiscing1963
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Buddy Holly Story, Volume II1960
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Buddy Holly Story1959
Tracklist not collected yet.
Buddy Holly1958
Tracklist not collected yet.
That’ll Be the Day1958
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Label
- Record label
- Brunswick Records
- Record label
- Decca
- Record label
- Coral
Achievements
- Award
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Award
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Award
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
Groups
Played together with
- David BoxThe Crickets · 1960–1960
- Glen D. HardinThe Crickets
- Jerry AllisonThe Crickets
- Joe B. MauldinThe Crickets
- Niki SullivanThe Crickets · 1958 · guitar
- Sonny CurtisThe Crickets
Waylon JenningsThe Crickets
Similar artists
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: Charles Hardin Holley
Charles Hardin Holley, known professionally by his stage name Buddy Holly, was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist who was a central and pioneering figure of rock and roll. He was born to a musical family in Lubbock, Texas, during the Great Depression, and learned to play guitar and sing alongside his two siblings.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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