The song was written after a trip to the movies by Buddy Holly, Jerry 
Allison and Sonny Curtis in June 1956. The John Wayne film The
Searchers was playing. Wayne’s frequently-used, catchphrase,
"that’ll be the day" inspired the young musicians. The song was
recorded eight months later, at the Norman Petty studios in Clovis,
New Mexico, on February 25, 1957, and was released  on Decca’s
Brunswick label. Producer Norman Petty credited The Crickets as
the artist to prevent possible legal action against Buddy do to a
contractual agreement with Decca.
 

 John Wayne from The Searchers

Hank Williams with his son Randall (Hank Williams, Jr.)

Hank Williams, Jr. (Randall Hank Williams) turned 64 today 

             Jay Smith Silverheels (Harold J. Smith) 

                      (May 26, 1912 – March 5, 1980)  

Silverheels was a Canadian Mohawk First Nations actor, well
known for his role as Tonto, the faithful Indian companion of the
character, The Lone Ranger in the long-running ABC television
series (1949-1957). Jay also worked in over 35 movies including
Key Largo (1948), Broken Arrow (1950), and True Grit (1969). He 
continued to make films until he suffered a stroke in 1974. 

Jay Silverheels as Tonto with The Lone Ranger (Clayton Moore)
 

A young Frank Oz (left), Muppet Fozzie Bear, and Jim Henson

Puppeteer and film director Frank Oz was born Frank Richard Oznowicz
in Hereford, England. He launched his career as a teenager with Jim
Henson and the Muppets, and went on to become the performer behind
such characters as Miss Piggy, Grover, and Fozzie Bear. He also played
Yoda in the Star Wars franchise beginning in 1977. Oz has directed
several successful films, including the 1986 musical comedy Little Shop
of Horrors.

Frank Oz retired full-time from the Muppets in 2002.They are now handled
by Eric Jacobson and David Rudman. Oz still occasionally performs his
Sesame Street characters. 

Frank Oz lending popular Muppet Miss Piggy a HELPING HAND!