Buddy Holly

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  • Year:
    1986
  • Inducted by:
    John Fogerty
  • Category:
    Performers
Buddy Holly Signature

Introduction

Rock & roll as we know it wouldn't exist without Buddy Holly.

The bespectacled '50s teen idol roughed up familiar musical influences—rhythm & blues, rockabilly, country & western—with upbeat tempos, a jittery vocal approach, and youthful lyrics filled with edgy declarations of love, lust and heartbreak.

Hall of Fame Essay

1986

Michael Hill

From an autobiographical high-school essay by Buddy Holly: “My life has been what you might call an uneventful one, and it seems there is not much of interest to tell…I have many hobbies. Some of these are hunting, fishing, leatherwork, reading, painting and playing western music. I have thought about making a career out of western music if I am good enough, but I will just have to wait and see how that turns out.”

Holly did try to make a career out of western mu­sic, forming the Western and Bop Band with class­mates Bob Montgomery and Larry Welborn. Between 1953 and 1955, they performed regularly on Lubbock radio station KDAV and recorded demos of eleven Holly/Montgomery tunes.  

The Program Cover from the 1986 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
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That voice and guitar came over the PA every night - I went out and bought it the next day.
John Fogerty

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Collection

Buddy Holly Artifact Image 1
Federation of Musician's Card
Buddy Holly Artifact 2
The Buddy Holly Story Poster