# Buddy Holly

> American rock and roll singer (1936–1959)

**Wikidata**: [Q5977](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5977)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_Holly)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/buddy-holly

## Summary
Buddy Holly was an American rock and roll singer (1936–1959) who co-founded the band The Crickets and is best known for his contributions to early rock and roll music. He achieved posthumous fame after his tragic plane crash in 1959, which also claimed the lives of Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper, cementing his legacy as one of the pioneers of rockabilly.

## Biography
- Born: 1936
- Nationality: United States
- Known for: Pioneering rock and roll music with The Crickets
- Employer(s): Decca, Brunswick Records, Coral
- Field(s): Music

## Contributions
- Co-founded The Crickets (1957), a band that became synonymous with early rock and roll.
- Recorded influential songs such as "Peggy Sue" and "That'll Be the Day," which defined the rockabilly genre.
- Produced music that influenced later generations of rock musicians, including The Beatles and Rush.

## FAQs
- **What genre of music did Buddy Holly popularize?** Buddy Holly is best known for his contributions to rock and roll, particularly the rockabilly subgenre, which blended country music with rock and roll.
- **Which band did Buddy Holly form?** Buddy Holly co-founded The Crickets, a band that became central to the early rock and roll movement.
- **What was Buddy Holly's most famous song?** "Peggy Sue" is one of Buddy Holly's most famous songs and a defining track of the rockabilly era.
- **How did Buddy Holly die?** Buddy Holly died in a plane crash in 1959 alongside Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper, an event that became known as "The Day the Music Died."

## Why They Matter
Buddy Holly's music and influence shaped the trajectory of rock and roll, inspiring countless artists who followed. His tragic death in the 1959 plane crash elevated his posthumous fame, making him a symbol of the early rock and roll era. His work with The Crickets laid the groundwork for future rock musicians, including The Beatles and Rush, who cited his music as a formative influence.

## Notable For
- Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (posthumously).
- Received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (posthumously).
- Honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- Co-founded The Crickets, a band that defined early rock and roll.
- Wrote and performed influential songs like "Peggy Sue" and "That'll Be the Day."

## Body
### Early Life
Buddy Holly was born in 1936 in the United States, where he developed an early passion for music. His aliases included Charles Hardin Holley and Charles Holley, reflecting his early identity as a musician.

### Career
Buddy Holly began his professional career in the mid-1950s, working with several notable record labels, including Decca, Brunswick Records, and Coral. His work period started in 1952, marking the beginning of his influential contributions to music.

### Musical Contributions
Buddy Holly co-founded The Crickets, a band that became central to the rock and roll movement. His songs, such as "Peggy Sue" and "That'll Be the Day," are iconic examples of rockabilly music. These tracks not only defined the genre but also influenced later artists, including The Beatles and Rush.

### Legacy
Buddy Holly's legacy is deeply tied to the early rock and roll era. His music continues to be celebrated for its innovative sound and lyrical depth. His tragic death in a plane crash in 1959, along with Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper, became known as "The Day the Music Died," solidifying his place in music history.

### Influence
Buddy Holly's influence extends beyond his own era. Musicians like Tommy Allsup have cited his work as a significant inspiration. His contributions to rock and roll music have left a lasting impact on the industry, shaping the sound of future generations of musicians.

### Awards and Recognition
Buddy Holly was posthumously honored with several prestigious awards, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. His legacy is further celebrated by a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognizing his enduring influence on music.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps
2. BnF authorities
3. Integrated Authority File
4. Catalog of the German National Library
5. Find a Grave
6. International Standard Name Identifier
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. MusicBrainz
9. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
10. [Source](https://www.nytimes.com/1959/02/04/archives/iowa-air-crash-kills-3-singers-rock-n-roll-stars-and-pilot-die-as.html)
11. IMDb
12. SNAC
13. Internet Broadway Database
14. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
15. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20090226025843/https://www.ntsb.gov/Publictn/1959/CAB_2-3-1959.pdf)
16. CONOR.SI
17. BBC Things
18. ISWC Network
19. Google Knowledge Graph
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22. Carnegie Hall linked open data
23. Golden