Buddy Holly was one of the most influential rock singers in history. John Lennon and Paul McCartney have called him a major influence in their music. According to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Bruce Springsteen said, “I play Buddy Holly every night before I go on; that keeps me honest.”
Holly influenced Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, the Beach Boys, Elvis Costello, Linda Ronstadt, and countless other musical artists. He had such classic rock and roll hits as “Oh Boy!”, “That’ll Be The Day”, and “Peggy Sue”. It’s no wonder why his music is still widely played and enjoyed today.
Many people don’t realize that Buddy Holly managed to accomplish all that with a professional career that spanned only about 18 months. He died on February 3, 1959, in a plane crash in Iowa when he was only 22 years old.
Don McLean’s classic 1971 song “American Pie” famously referred to Buddy Holly’s death as “the day the music died”. However, one thing’s for sure. Buddy Holly’s musical legacy lives on in his influence of the entire music industry. Also, he is very much still celebrated in his hometown of Lubbock, Texas. Here are some of the must-see sites that rock and roll fans should see during a visit to Lubbock.
Buddy Holly Statue And West Texas Walk of Fame
The Buddy Holly Statue is in the centerpiece of the West Texas Hall of Fame in the Buddy and Maria Elena Holly Plaza. It’s located at the corner of Crickets Avenue and 19th Street. Buddy Holly was the first inductee to the West Texas Hall of Fame in 1979. A year later, sculptor Grant Speed revealed his massive Buddy Holly statue that still stands strong in the hall of fame. The bronze statue is 8 feet 6 inches tall, and it is a remarkable likeness of the musical legend.
Buddy Holly Center
Across the street from the West Texas Hall of Fame, the Buddy Holly Center is dedicated to Buddy Holly as its name suggests. It also celebrates other music from Lubbock and West Texas…