THE CRICKETS from left: Joe B. Mauldin, Buddy Holly and
Jerry Allison. 

Charles Hardin “Buddy” Holley
(September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959)

Singer-songwriter Buddy Holly was a central and pioneering figure of mid-1950s
rock and roll. He was born in Lubbock, Texas, to a musical family during the
Great Depression.

During his short career, Holly wrote and recorded many songs. He is often
regarded as the artist who defined the traditional rock-and-roll lineup of
two guitars, bass, and drums. He was a major influence on later popular
popular music artists, including Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Rolling
Stones, and Eric Clapton,