Sourish Ghosh, Amanda Peck, Melanie Pha, Tara Misra Buddy Holly Sourish Ghosh, Amanda Peck, Melanie Pha, Tara Misra

INTRO -Pioneer of American Rock and Roll -Influenced many popular Rock musicians later on such as The Beatles, Eric Clapton, and Bob Dylan -Died suddenly after success in a plane crash

Personal Background Charles Hardin Holley was born in Lubbock, Texas, in 1936. Musical background almost exclusively C&W Did not have the typical rock image as he wore tall thin thick horn rimmed glasses, performed in a dark suit and bow tie, not sexually explicit or flamboyant, and portrayed a conservative lifestyle.

PERSONAL HISTORY Holly learned to play the guitar, banjo, and steel guitar at an early age. Holly participated in a talent show and also participated in his high-school choir.

Buddy and Bob In seventh grade in 1951, Buddy met Bob Montgomery and they formed "Buddy and Bob" a C&W duo who played guitars while they sang Buddy and Bob performed at local radio shows and school assemblies. Bob's country style would have a big impact on Buddy's later music.

THE CRICKETS Holly opened for Bill Haley and the Comets, where he gained attention and signed a contract with Decca Records. Holly formed the group "The Crickets" but his songs were not successful and Decca did not renew the contract. The Crickets signed to Brunswick Records with the help of their manager, Petty. Holly signed as a solo artist with Coral Records. "That'll Be the Day" was released to success.

THE CRICKETS CONT. The Crickets booked shows in all-black neighborhoods where they were not immediately met with acceptance or success. The Crickets released their debut album, "The "Chirping" Crickets" and Holly released his debut solo album as well, "Buddy Holly". Two singles of Holly's, "Peggy Sue" and "Oh Boy!" reached the top 10 in the United States.

NOTABLE SONGS "That'll Be the Day" reached number 1 with Niki Sullivan on guitar, Joe Mauldin on acoustic bass, Jerry Allison on drums, and Holly on guitar. Buddy Holly experimented with double tracking his voice and guitar in the song "Words of Love". Even though it was not a notable hit, the song is considered to be one of his important recordings. Holly's last hit which reached number 13 was titled "It Doesn't Matter Anymore". Holly's "hiccup" style influenced by Presley was very evident in this song.

NOTABLE SONGS CONT. "Peggy Sue" is ranked #194 on the Rolling Stone magazine's 2004 list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All time. In 1999, National Public Radio included the song in the 100 most important American musical works of the 20th century. "Maybe Baby" is another song with innocent lyrics augmented by a characteristic twangy percussive accompaniment (rockabilly)which reached #4 in the UK charts.

MUSICAL TECHNIQUE He had unique vocal characteristics. Holly had a "hiccup" style technically known as the glottal stop. Another trademark was changing the color or timbre of his voice in mid-phrase. He used advanced recording techniques for his time. He experimented with double tracking his voice and guitar. Overdubbing was also a technique used by him. Holly also wrote most of his own material. His instrumentation consisting of a lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass and drums would be standard for future rock bands.

CAREER Holly and his bandmates split up 1958, Holly started recording acoustic songs in his apartment. Holly frequented popular music venues while living in New York and registered for acting classes, hoping to develop an acting career. Holly faced trouble with his record contract, he hired a lawyer to help him receive his royalties but the record label withheld the money.

PERSONAL LIFE Holly met his wife, Maria Elena Santiago, because she was a receptionist for a publisher, Holly arranged to have dinner with her. He proposed to Santiago on the first date. Santiago was pregnant with their first child when Holly died, however she miscarried after the news of the plane crash.

UNEXPECTED DEATH Holly was playing in a Midwest tour with other musicians. Holly and other performers took a charter plane to the next stop when the plane crashed. The plane crash is attributed to poor weather conditions, snow storm.

INFLUENCES ON OTHER ARTISTS Holly is credited with setting the template for a typical rock band composed of two guitars, a bass, and drums. He inspired Elton John, The Beatles, and Bob Dylan, who attended his concert just days before his death.

FILM/SONG TRIBUTES Holly is the subject of many songs by modern artists such as Weezer and his songs have also been covered by current rock groups. The film, The Buddy Holly Story, was released as a biographical film of Buddy Holly's life. Buddy Holly is portrayed in two films and a tv episode.

CAREER TRIBUTES In 1986 Buddy Holly was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In September 2011 Buddy Holly received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2004, honored in TIME magazine as #13 on their "The 100 Greatest Artists of All Time"

WORKS CITED/REFERENCES APA Buddy Holly. (2013). The Biography Channel website. Retrieved 05:29, Jun 03, 2013, from http://www.biography.com/people/buddy- holly-9342186. Buddy Holly. (2012). Buddy Holly and the Crickets website. Retrieved 03:24, Jun 03, 2013, from http://www.buddyhollyandthecrickets.com/homerec.html Kerns, Williams. Buddy Holly. (2012). The Buddy Holly Archives website. Retrieved 04:30, Jun 04, 2013, from http://www.buddyhollyarchives.com/2012/04/four-part-series-as-crickets-finally-get-their-due-a-glimpse-into-past/ Eder, Bruce. Buddy Holly. Allmusic website. Retrieved 08:20, Jun 03, 2013, from http://www.allmusic.com/artist/buddy-holly-mn0000538677 NPR. (2009). NPR.org. Retrieved 09:50, Jun 03, 2013, from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100161470 Rolling Stone. rollingstone website. Retrieved 02:34, Jun 04, 2013, from http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/buddy-holly Suddath, Claire. (2009). TiME magazine website. Retrieved 04:44, Jun 04, 2013, from http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1876542,00.html Buddy Holly. Retrieved from http://www.lipscomb.umn.edu/rock/BuddyHolly.htm Stuessy, Lipscomb. (2012). Rock and Roll:Its History and Stylistic Development(7th Edition) Peggy Sue(Song). (2007) Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peggy_Sue_(song) Maybe Baby.(Song). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maybe_Baby_(song) Penemy, D.. N.p.. Web. 4 Jun 2013. <http://www.history-of-rock.com/>.