Buddy Holly Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles

Buddy Holly was born on September 7, 1936, in Lubbock, Texas and he was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist.

Raised in a musical family, Holly was exposed to various genres, including country, gospel, and rhythm and blues. He formed his first band in high school and gained local attention for his performances. In 1956, he signed a recording contract with Decca Records, which released early tracks under the name “Buddy Holly.”

After parting ways with Decca, Holly formed the band The Crickets. In 1957, the group released “That’ll Be the Day,” which became a number one hit in the United States and the United Kingdom. Other notable recordings with The Crickets include “Oh, Boy!,” “Maybe Baby,” and “Not Fade Away.” As a solo artist, Holly released hits such as “Peggy Sue,” “Rave On,” and “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore.”

In 1958, Holly married María Elena Santiago and moved to New York City. That same year, he split professionally from The Crickets and pursued a solo career. In early 1959, he joined the “Winter Dance Party” tour through the Midwest. On February 3, 1959, following a performance in Clear Lake, Iowa, he chartered a small plane that crashed shortly after takeoff, killing Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson. Buddy Holly was 22 years old at the time of his death. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. His recordings continue to be recognized for their influence on popular music and artists including The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and The Rolling Stones.