Profile of the Day: Buddy Holly

Posted September 7, 2022 by Amanda | No Comment

Today we remember rock and roll legend Buddy Holly, who was born on this day in 1936.

Image: Buddy Holly / Wikimedia Commons

Charles Hardin Holley was born on September 7, 1936 in Lubbock, Texas. He was the fourth child born to Lawrence Odell “L.O.” Holley and Ella Pauline Drake and nicknamed “Buddy” by his mother. Growing up, Buddy wasn’t the only member of the family interested in music. His older brothers performed in local talent shows and taught him how to play the guitar.

After graduating high school, Buddy decided to pursue a career in music. He played regularly on a local radio station before he got his big break opening for Elvis Presley in 1955. Soon after he landed his first recording contract and released his first hit, “That’ll Be the Day.” During his short career, Buddy charted several Top 40 singles, including “Peggy Sue” and “Everyday.”

Sadly, Buddy’s life was cut short when he died in a plane crash at the age of 22. The devastating crash also took the lives of musicians Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson. The tragic accident became known as “The Day the Music Died.”