Buddy The Biography of Buddy Holly Book

❤️❤️❤️

My dudes, I am near tears. This is easily the best biography I have ever read.

Since discovering Buddy Holly’s music at the age of 16 thanks to my 11th grade Music History class in early 2015, I have said time and time again how grossly underrated Buddy’s music — and Buddy himself — truly is. I am 20 years old, turn 21 this September (just a few days before Buddy’s birthday), and among my generation, names like The Beatles and Elvis Presley are still highly recognized and iconic (which is ironic, considering The Beatles literally named themselves after Buddy Holly & the Crickets)... and yet the name ‘Buddy Holly’ is almost unrecognizable. Why?

Rereading this book, which was originally a graduation gift when I graduated high school in 2016, has only refueled my love for Buddy and my belief that he is one of the greatest singers/songwriters in history. Had he not been killed in a plane crash at the age of 22, he EASILY would have rivaled the likes of Elvis Presley and The Beatles, and it is my belief that Buddy himself might have been more widely recognized, instead, as “the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Unlike Elvis, who could sing but do little else, Buddy could play his own instruments and write his own songs, and was *lightyears* ahead of his time in regards to music experimentation. He seemed unafraid to try new things, and that went BEYOND music — according to multiple sources, he wanted to launch his own record company, expressed interest in acting AND writing music scores, and took dance lessons to further improve his ability on stage.

Now, I fully recognize the fact that Buddy Holly was a product of his time — a white male born in the Deep South in 1936. It would not surprise me in the slightest if some of his beliefs reflected that era and upbringing. However, from what I could tell, he seemed *very* progressive considering his background. He seemed — I use ‘seemed’ because, once again, I am only going off of what modern research provides me — mindful of women, didn’t care about race (often seeking to tour with and work with black artists during a time in which America — and especially the Deep South — was still extremely segregated), and seemed polite and *generous* to everyone around him. Also, while there is no way this can be confirmed, it is rumored that he was aware of Little Richard’s sexuality (homosexual or pansexual, depending on the source), and was completely okay with it. Like. When did acceptance like that EVER happen in that era?

Again, I am aware that Buddy was, despite what the written word may say, imperfect, but he was young and, therefore, among the age-group that is — and was — the most accepting of societal change.

However, in the end, it seems like some of that politeness and generosity is what essentially fucked him over. After reading “Rave On,” it seems to me that the SOLE reason Buddy even had to go on the tour that inevitably led to his death was because his manager, Norman Petty, was — to put it frankly — manipulative as fuck and, overall, just a downright scumbag. If the author’s sources can be trusted (he literally sat down with everyone who knew Buddy personally, so I’m assuming they can be), Buddy had to leave a young and pregnant wife to go on a cold, dangerous tour because Petty — quite living up to his name — held back ALL off the money Buddy earned in his career after he was fired as Buddy’s manager. Had Norman Petty been a decent fucking human being, there is a strong possibility that Buddy would have NEVER gone on the Winter Dance Party Tour, and very well may have lived beyond what he did. Hell, he was born in 1936 — he could, potentially, be alive today and turning 83 three days after I turn 21.

Might I just say — fuck you, Norman Petty!

This book is absolutely enchanting and transports you to a whole new world, like time travel. Buddy Holly, despite being in his prime in the late ‘50s, is a figure that can definitely be seen as fresh and relatable today, and I wish more people among my generation were aware of his artistry. His songs are light and fun and, I think, are as completely enjoyable today as they were sixty years ago. Unlike some other ‘50s stars — *cough* Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis *cough* — he never had any big controversies despite his youth, and... man, I just wished more people would recognize Buddy as the truly talented, groundbreaking performer he was.

Buddy Holly, both his career and his person, deserved SO much better, and this is a hill I am willing to die on.