Exploring rock & roll roots at Buddy Holly Museum in Lubbock, Texas

I was in Lubbock, Texas recently to cheer on my son at a track and field competition, and while I spent most of my time in Lubbock at the fabulous Texas Tech athletic facilities, I’m always curious to discover new places when I travel. Although I’ve travelled quite a bit in Texas, I’d never been out to Lubbock, and I made a little time to explore local history and culture.

Cue in Buddy Holly…

I had no idea Buddy Holly hailed from Lubbock, Texas, so I was curious to visit the Buddy Holly Center.

My older son had flown out to help cheer on his brother, so he and I were able to visit this museum together – and I realized he didn’t know who Buddy Holly was, and the influence he had on other bands and singers, so it was a fun learning experience for us both.

Charles Hardin Holley (aka Buddy Holly) was born, the youngest of four children, on September 7, 1936 in Lubbock, Texas.

Buddy developed an interest in music at a young age, and a wide range of musical influences he was exposed to in western Teaxas – country, gospel, bluegrass and blues – would all be blended into his future work.

The entire family was musical, and in the documentary film at the museum, his older brothers poked fun at his poor violin skills as a young child. Entering a music contest in Lubbock, the older brothers greased Buddy’s violin bow, to create a “silent violin” for the five-year-old. But they said his singing and  cuteness impressed the judges, and they walked away with the $5 grand prize.

Buddy showed more talent on the guitar, and was soon playing at parties, business openings and clubs. As a teenager, Buddy and Bob Montgomery, along with another friend,  even had their own radio program on a local station, leading to the opportunity for “Buddy and Bob” to act as the warm-up band when Elvis Presley played a concert in Lubbock, ensuring steady bookings.

A record label and worldwide success would follow for a new band created by Buddy: Buddy Holly and The Crickets.

They released hits like “That’ll Be The Day” and “Peggy Sue Got Married”. Unusually for bands at the time, he would tour beyond the US, and on to Australia and the UK, where he would deeply influence emerging acts like The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and Elton John. The latter even “borrowed” his signature glasses for his shows.

Unfortunately, this fame only lasted eighteen months.

Buddy would break up with The Crickets and form a new band, leaving for a winter tour across the Midwest. The tour was plagued with misfortunes, and Buddy booked a private plane to travel from a concert in Clear Lake, Iowa on February 2, 1959. Unfortunately, the plane crashed in poor winter weather, killing the  pilots and three musiacians aboard. Buddy Holiday was only 22.

The museum is small, but a good introduction to his life and musical influence. Well worth a visit if you find yourself in Lubbock.