Buddy Holly in the 1950s by Jenna Corbin

            Buddy Holly was a rock ‘n’ roll artist from Texas who had a profound impact on music history. His music, dancing, and persona influenced many other rock ‘n’ roll artists. Holly’s career was brief, but that did not stop him from setting the standards for future rock ‘n’ roll bands.

            A crucial part of Buddy Holly’s performing persona was his heavy-rimmed black glasses. He was “the first young rock ‘n’ roll star to wear glasses while performing,” causing other artists to follow suit (Goldist 465). The glasses gave him the distinct personality that every rock star needs and added to his performance as a whole. Another important part of Holly’s performance identity was a dancing style called “the jerky,” which is described as “hiccupping onstage gyrations” (Forbes 482). This dance was associated with Buddy Holly’s performances for the brief remainder of his career.

            Buddy Holly’s musical style combined the styles of “his native Texas country and western with black rhythm and blues” (Goldist 466). This musical style still influences singer-songwriters today. Holly helped to bridge the racial gap in American music by drawing inspiration from African-American musicians. He was one of the first artists to write, play, sing and perform his own music. He wrote and recorded over 50 songs in his lifetime. Buddy Holly’s band was one of the first to consist of two guitars, drums, and a bass, creating the standard for many rock bands to follow. Artists that were influenced by Holly include The Beatles, Elton John, Roy Orbison, The Rolling Stones and Elvis Costello. It's said that The Beatles even named themselves to pay homage to Buddy Holly's band, The Crickets.

            Although Buddy Holly’s career was short-lived due to his tragic death in a plane crash at the age of 22, he certainly had a lasting influence on the world of rock ‘n’ roll. It is said that the year that Buddy Holly died (1959) is also the year that rock ‘n’ roll itself died. Holly will always be remembered in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the great pioneers of rock and roll.

Peggy Sue performed by Buddy Holly

Not Fade Away by Buddy Holly

That'll Be The Day by Buddy Holly

          

Works Cited

Forbes, Kenny. "Buddy Holly. By Dave Laing, London. VT: Equinox, 2010 194 Pp. ISBN 978-1-845530627-5." Popular Music 30.03 (2011): 481-83. Web. 16 Nov. 2012.

Goldist, Gerald I. "The Definitive Story of Buddy Holly's Glasses." Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology 42.3 (2007): 465-66. Web. 16 Nov. 2012.