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Although his success lasted only a year and a half before his death in an airplane crash, Holly has been described as "the single most influential creative force in early rock and roll." His works and innovations were copied by his contemporaries and later musicians, notably The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, and exerted a profound influence on popular music.

His works and innovations were copied by his contemporaries and later musicians, notably The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, and exerted a profound influence on popular music.

Holly turned to rock music after seeing Elvis Presley sing live in Lubbock in early 1955. A few months later, he appeared on the same bill with Presley and shortly after in 1956 Buddy signed to Decca changing his name to Holly from Holley after a spelling mistake in the contract he was due to sign had him listed as such.

After the release of several highly successful songs in 1958, Holly and the Crickets toured Australia in January and later the United Kingdom. Keith Richards and George Harrison both attended concerts during this UK tour.

At the turn of 1959 Holly began a highly lucrative tour with other notable performers, including Dion and the Belmonts, the hottest name of the day Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson.

After the show at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa on 2 February wards, Buddy Holly chartered a Beechcraft Bonanza to take him and his new back-up band (Tommy Allsup and Waylon Jennings) to Fargo, North Dakota, enroute to play the next leg of the Winter Dance Party tour in Minnesota. The Big Bopper asked Jennings for his spot on the four-seat plane, as he was recovering from the flu. Ritchie Valens was still signing autographs at the concert site when Allsup walked in and told him it was time to go. Valens begged for a seat on the plane. Allsup pulled a 50 cent coin out of his pocket and the two men flipped for the seat. Allsup lost.

The plane took off in light snow and gusty winds at around 12:05 A.M., but crashed a few minutes later. The wreckage was discovered some 8 miles (13 km) from the airport. The crash killed Holly, Valens, Richardson, and their 21-year-old pilot.

Holly's music was sophisticated for its day, including the use of instruments considered novel for rock and roll, such as the celesta (heard on "Everyday"). Holly was an influential lead and rhythm guitarist, notably on songs such as "Peggy Sue" and "Not Fade Away". While Holly could pump out boy-loves-girl songs with the best of his contemporaries, other songs featured more sophisticated lyrics and more complex harmonies and melodies than had previously appeared in the genre.

Lennon and McCartney later cited Holly as a primary influence on their early musical aspirations which of course led to the formation of The Beatles. The band would cover Love" for the Beatles For Sale in 1964.Some years later Paul McCartney bought the publishing rights to Holly's entire song catalogue.

Possibly the most famous "tribute" was paid by Don McLean in his 1971 single "American Pie". For a full breakdown of the songs interpretation of the fateful day, visit the excellent http://www.fiftiesweb.com/amerpie-1.htm

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the tragedy there are a few some fantastic new releases available form Monday 2nd February.

BUDDY HOLLY AND THE CRICKETS ‘The Very Best Of’ CD
http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=459754

BUDDY HOLLY AND THE CRICKETS ‘The Definitive Story’ DVD
http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=459855

BUDDY HOLLY 'Down The Line: Rarities' 2CD SET
http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=459860

BUDDY HOLLY Memorial Collection 3CD SET
http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=459862

Visit our Buddy Holly catlaogue Today.
http://991.com/Buy/ProductListing.aspx?ArtistName=Buddy+Holly