Buddy Holly Biography
Charles Hardin Holley (September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959), known as Buddy Holly, was an American singer and songwriter who was a central and pioneering figure of mid-1950s rock and roll. He was born and brought up in Lubbock, Texas, to a musical family during the Great Depression, and learned to play guitar and sing alongside his siblings. His style was influenced by gospel music, country music, and rhythm and blues acts, which he performed in Lubbock with his friends from high school.
During his short career, Holly wrote and recorded many songs including “The Crickets”, which became the name of Holly’s band. In September 1957, as the band toured, “That’ll Be the Day” topped the US and UK singles charts. Its success was followed in October by another major hit, “Peggy Sue”. He was among the first artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 1986. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him number 13 in its list of “100 Greatest Artists”. From early childhood, he was nicknamed “Buddy”.
10 Quick Facts About Buddy Holly
- Name: Charles Hardin Holley
- Age At Time Of Death: 22 years
- Date of Death: February 3, 1959
- Cause of Death: Plane Crash
- Date of Birth: September 7, 1936
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Charles Hardin Holley
- Marital Status: Was married to Maria Santiago
- Famous for: His hit track with the Crickets band, “The Crickets”
- Net worth: $1 million
Buddy Holly Age At Time Of Death
Holly was born on September 7, 1936, in Lubbock, Texas, U.S. and died on February 3, 1959, at the age of aged 22, in Clear Lake, Iowa, the U.S. in a plane crash. Holly, Valens, Richardson, and Peterson were killed when the aircraft they were on board crashed into a cornfield five miles northwest of Mason City shortly after takeoff. The three musicians, who were ejected from the fuselage upon impact, sustained severe head and chest injuries.
Buddy Holly Height
Buddy was a man of average height. He stood at 6 feet 0 inches or (1.82 m).
Buddy Holly Weight
Holly was a man of moderate weight. He weighed a massive 281 lbs which is equivalent to (127.4 kg).
Buddy Holly Education
By 1955, after graduating from Lubbock High School, Holly decided to pursue a full-time career in music
Buddy Holly Parents and Siblings
Holly was born to his parents in Lubbock, Texas. He is the fourth child of Lawrence Odell “L.O.” Holley (1901–1985) and Ella Pauline Drake (1902–1990). His elder siblings were Larry (1925-2022), Travis (1927–2016), and Patricia Lou (1929–2008). Holly was of mostly English and Welsh descent and had small amounts of Native American ancestry as well. During the Great Depression, the Holleys frequently moved residence within Lubbock; L.O. changed jobs several times. Buddy Holly has baptized a Baptist, and the family were members of the Tabernacle Baptist Church
Buddy Holly Wife, Maria Elena Santiago
Holly was married to his girlfriend Maria Elena Santiago. They met during one of his visits to the offices of Peer-Southern. He asked her out on their first meeting and proposed marriage to her on their first date. The wedding took place on August 15, 1958. Holly’s manager Norman Petty disapproved of the marriage and advised Holly to keep it secret to avoid upsetting Holly’s female fans.
Holly and Santiago frequented many of New York’s music venues, including the Village Gate, Blue Note, Village Vanguard, and Johnny Johnson’s. Santiago accompanied Holly on tours. To hide her marriage to Holly, she was presented as the Crickets’ secretary. She took care of the laundry and equipment set-up and collected the concert revenues.
The couple moved to New York. Santiago-Holly went on one tour (October 1958) with her husband and took on promotional duties. Maria’s life changed drastically on that fateful day of her husband’s premature death.
They had been married for only six months at the time of his death. She got to hear the news of her husband’s death from the reports on television. A widow after only six months of marriage, she suffered a miscarriage shortly after, reportedly due to psychological trauma.
Maria did not attend the funeral and has never visited the grave site of her late husband. She told the Avalanche-Journal: “In a way, I blame myself. I was not feeling well when he left. I was two weeks pregnant, and I wanted Buddy to stay with me, but he had scheduled that tour. It was the only time I wasn’t with him. And I blame myself because I know that, if only I had gone along, Buddy never would have gotten into that airplane.”
Buddy Holly Children
Holly died without a child. His wife Maria Santiago suffered a miscarriage shortly after his death.
Buddy Holly Net Worth
By the time of his death, Holly had accumulated a handsome amount of wealth. He had a net worth estimated to be between $1 Million. This included his Assets, Money, and Income. His primary source of income was his career as a singer and performer.
Buddy Holly Measurements and Facts
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Holly
Buddy Holly Wiki
- Full Names: Charles Hardin Holley
- Gender: male
- Occupation / Profession: Singer and songwriter
- Nationality: American
- Race / Ethnicity: white
- Religion: Not Known
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Buddy Holly Birthday
- Age At the time of death: 29 years
- Date of Death: February 3, 1959
- Zodiac Sign: Virgo
- Date of Birth: September 7, 1936
- Place of Birth: Lubbock, Texas, U.S.
- Birthday: 7th September
Buddy Holly Body Measurements
- Body Measurements: To be updated
- Height / How Tall?: 6 feet 0 inches or (1.82 m).
- Weight: 281 lbs which are equivalent to (127.4 kg).
- Eye Color: Dark brown
- Hair Color: Dark brown
- Shoe Size: To be updated
Buddy Holly Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Lawrence Odell “L.O.” Holley (1901–1985)
- Mother: Ella Pauline Drake (1902–1990)
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Three
- Marital Status: Was Married
- Wife/Spouse: Was married to Maria Elena Santiago
- Children: None
Buddy Holly Networth and Salary
- Net Worth: $2 million
- Salary: To be updated
- Source of Income: $50 to $100
Buddy Holly House and Cars
- Place of living: United States
- Cars: Car Brand to be Updated
Buddy Holly Music
Booby and Buddy sang in clubs and in High School Talent Shows with inspiration from bluegrass music. When performing for Bill Harley, he met the moment of his life. As a result of this performance, Holley was offered a contract with Decca Records to work alone. However, early success as a solo artist eluded him. Buddy formed his own band in Lubbock naming it “The Crickets”.
They had produced several songs including ‘That’ll Be the Day. The song had its nationwide release and became a smash hit. Holley played lead guitar on the hit single ‘Starlight’, recorded in April 1957, featuring Jack Huddle. Holly’s play on guitar is mentioned as rhythmic and influential as noted in “Peggy Sue” and “Not Fade Away”.
His songs mainly feature boy-girl love-like lyrics. In addition to that one of the main different characteristics of his song is the “hiccup” technique he does. The hiccup emphasizes on keywords of the song. Holly also managed to bridge some of the racial divides that punctuated rock. This won him over an all-black audience when accidentally booked for New York’s Apollo Theatre.
Bobby Holly Music Influence
John Lennon and Paul McCartney named him to influence their songs. This was on a tour in the United Kingdom together with his band, the crickets. The Beatles, a band chosen as an homage to The Crickets, did the cover for the song ‘Word of Love”. Later on, the Rolling Stones band did the cover for ‘Not Fade Away. Differing from the current western star style, Buddy had a controlled cerebral innovative life. The style is written to have a positive influence on the youth.
Buddy Holly Solo Tour
Holly mentioned his separation from the crickets to tour solo but with other performers. They include Ritchie Valens and J. P. Richardson. Later on, they arranged to fly to their next performance. This was after a performance at Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake on 2nd February.
Buddy Holly Memorial Places
Holly’s headstone carries the correct spelling of his name, Buddy Holley. It also features a carving of his favorite guitar. The tragic plane crash impressed singer Don McLean’s well-liked 1971 ballad ‘American Pie’, and immortalized Gregorian calendar month third as “The Day the Music Died”.
Contrary to the popular myth, ‘American Pie’ was not the name of the ill-fated airplane. The Surf Ballroom, a popular and old-fashioned dance hall that dates to the height of the Big Band Era, continues to put on shows, notably an annual Buddy Holly tribute on the anniversary of his last performances.
Buddy Holly Songs
- I’m Gonna Love You Too
- Peggy Sue
- Look at Me
- Listen to Me
- Valley of Tears
- Ready Teddy
- Everyday
- Mailman
- Words of Love
- You’re So Square (Baby I Don’t Care)
- Rave On
- Little Baby
- 1999 Bonus tracks
- That’s My Desire
- Think It Over
- Fool’s Paradise
- Well… All Right
- Take Your Time
Buddy Holly Albums
- The “Chirping” Crickets
- Buddy Holly
- That’ll Be the Day
- The Buddy Holly Story
- The Buddy Holly Story, Vol. 2
- Reminiscing
- Showcase
- Holly in the Hills
- The Best of Buddy Holly
- Buddy Holly’s Greatest Hits
Frequently Asked Questions About Buddy Holly
Who Was Buddy Holly?
Charles Hardin Holley (September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959), known as Buddy Holly, was an American singer and songwriter who was a central and pioneering figure of mid-1950s rock and roll. He was born and brought up in Lubbock, Texas, to a musical family during the Great Depression, and learned to play guitar and sing alongside his siblings. His style was influenced by gospel music, country music, and rhythm and blues acts, which he performed in Lubbock with his friends from high school.
How old was Buddy Holly at the time of death?
Holly was born on September 7, 1936, in Lubbock, Texas, U.S., and died on February 3, 1959, at the age of aged 22,
How tall was Buddy Holly?
Buddy was a man of average height. He stood at 6 feet 0 inches or (1.82 m).
Was Buddy Holly married?
Holly was married to his girlfriend Maria Elena Santiago. They met during one of his visits to the offices of Peer-Southern. He asked her out on their first meeting and proposed marriage to her on their first date. The wedding took place on August 15, 1958. Holly’s manager Norman Petty disapproved of the marriage and advised Holly to keep it secret to avoid upsetting Holly’s female fans.
Did Buddy Holly have children?
Holly died without a child. His wife Maria Santiago suffered a miscarriage shortly after his death.
How much is Buddy Holly worth?
By the time of his death, Holly had accumulated a handsome amount of wealth. He had a net worth estimated to be between $1 Million. This included his Assets, Money, and Income. His primary source of income was his career as a singer and performer.
Is Buddy Holly dead or alive?
Holly died on February 3, 1959, at the age of aged 22, in Clear Lake, Iowa, the U.S. in a plane crash. Holly, Valens, Richardson, and Peterson were killed when the aircraft they were on board crashed into a cornfield five miles northwest of Mason City shortly after takeoff. The three musicians, who were ejected from the fuselage upon impact, sustained severe head and chest injuries.
Buddy Holly YouTube
- YouTube
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