Buddy Holly Remembered 50 Years After His Death 
By Greg Flakus
Lubbock, Texas
03 February 2009
 

On February 3, 1959, a small plane crashed in a corn field in Iowa,
killing three rock and roll stars - Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens
and J.P. Richardson, known as "The Big Bopper".

The 50th anniversary of that tragic event is being observed by rock fans around the world,
but especially in Clear Lake, Iowa - the scene of their last performance,
where a large concert is planned, and in Buddy Holly's hometown of Lubbock, Texas.

 

Charles Hardin Holly, known to his family and friends as Buddy,
was only 22 years old when he died, but he had by that time
created a guitar-driven rock and roll style that would live on among rock bands around the world.

 

In only a few years, the Lubbock native created hit songs that are
still played today - classics like "That'll be the Day," inspired by a line John Wayne
spoke in the western movie "The Searchers".

 

Holly rocked his fans with songs like "Peggy Sue" and "Maybe Baby"
and then soothed them with ballads like "Everyday".

 

The song marked the first use in pop music of a celesta - an
instrument mainly associated with classical music performances.

 

Holly's style and musical experimentation appealed to many up-and-coming musicians,
especially in Britain, where he has many fans even among people born long after his death.