Buddy Holly’s Last Song - Written on a Bet!

[@kenbearsley8322]

The era of many great artists. Buddy Holly was certainly one of those greats.

[@WesternBop]

I certainly agree!

[@michaelcelani8325]

​@@WesternBop JP.... Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison, both from rural West Texas, Lubbock and Wink respectively. Funny how they both influenced musicians all the way to Liverpool and London. ps. I have been to all those places. ! Thanks. m.c.

[@WesternBop]

It is pretty amazing all the great musicians from that area and that time. I’ve been to Lubbock and Clovis and Liverpool and London, but haven’t made it out to Wink yet. Nice to hear from you - thanks!

[@kenbearsley8322]

@@WesternBop I've heard of London and Liverpool, not the other place. In saying that, i live in New Zealand. So my geography of smaller area's in other countries is a little 'rusty' on it if ya want to put it like that. Those artists from that era still has a lot of influences on todays singers. Just can't beat the classic though

[@michaelcelani8325]

@@WesternBop Thanks for responding, JP....Happy Easter to you. ! m.c.

[@rayc4244]

Thanks for the story. I thought maybe it was "That makes it tough". "You're the one" is one of my favorites. I have every song (that has been released) and listen to Buddy at least once a week. His music is timeless. Long live Buddy Holly!

[@WesternBop]

So true! Nice to meet another Buddy fan!

[@neilhack6749]

I got evry song he wrote

[@larryjohnson6385]

May he Rest In Peace 🙏🙏🙏

[@fredfloyd68]

Fantastic group.....you did his last tune justice...jam on.

[@WesternBop]

Thank you, very much!

[@thomaswigfield7623]

Thank you very much for this video. I had never heard that song before. I loved Buddy’s work and thought I had heard everything he had done. I got my first guitar in 1959, I was twelve years old. I’m happy to say I played in pop and rock bands for many years, and I still have the Stratocaster I bought in 1968.

[@WesternBop]

Thank you for letting me know - You must have had some good times with that Stratocaster !

[@BaconTomatoCheese]

I’ve always been a Strat guy, myself - partly because of Buddy!

[@CycloneJack]

Thanks very much for this. What a real shame he died so young. He already had his voice and his own unmistakable style--it would have been nice to have seen him develop as an artist.

[@WesternBop]

I agree. He was really writing beautifully.

[@BTLFAEN]

I consider myself truly one of the greatest Buddy Holly fans. I look forward to posting on this KZbin channel I just discovered. I was only 10 1/2 years old when he died and I, to be honest, did not know about this until around 1960. But there was a “soul reason” why he died. I can’t go into it now but it has something to do with his wife.

[@knockedoutloaded279]

Buddy wud have been amazing in the 60.s

[@WesternBop]

💯

[@tonyaelliott4070]

​@@WesternBop h hi

[@WesternBop]

Hi Tonya 👋

[@sonofadeadbeat3051]

Outlaw movement of the '70's '80's.

[@Molly_Belle]

Absolutely, he was a great musician.

[@davidnorth3411]

So good to hear Buddy and friends had a vision , I can think of him with a big smile , another classic from a legend .

[@WesternBop]

I feel the same way.

[@user-hh5rn4jz6o]

Huge buddy fan for past 40 years. This is news to me. Know the song well..didn't know about prism or how he met Waylon. Thanks

[@WesternBop]

I’m glad you liked it. The backstory always makes the song even more meaningful for me.

[@joetiger6597]

Thank you a lot !! Very interessting and simple explained !! Hope we will hear and see more of Buddy Holly Songs about the technical Side and how they made it !! Thank you Mr. McDermott 👍👍👍

[@WesternBop]

Thank you! I’ll have another in a couple of weeks. Thanks again!

[@joetiger6597]

@@WesternBop .... i can't wait 👍😀

[@donaldjohnlong5330]

I was a big fan of both Buddy and Elvis in 1957 when I was 10 years old.

[@AHumanWallpaper]

I'm 18 and I love Buddy Holly's music so much. I didn't really see anyone making a video about him until yours showed up. This isa very informative video. I hope more people will know about Buddy and his music. Thank you for making such a great video.

[@WesternBop]

Thanks for the nice comments. It’s always good to meet another Buddy Holly fan!

[@jamesnunziato8068]

Great story...and great voice by the way! You have a Roy Orbison kind of quality👍👍

[@WesternBop]

Thanks very much! I do love Roy Orbison and sing several of his songs.

[@jamesnunziato8068]

@@WesternBop I'd love to hear them!

[@WesternBop]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWW2qYx3a9Z_qtU

[@WesternBop]

There are a few on my channel, @westernbop

[@donaldjohnlong5330]

Buddy was a personal friend of my friend Ray Ruff, who became a famous record producer. Ray recorded a wonderful tribute song to Buddy Holly, in his style, "I Took A Liking To You", released exactly one year after Buddy's tragic death, on Lin Records, on February 3, 1960.

[@WesternBop]

Ray Rush was an interesting guy. He always had good insights when he appeared in documentaries. I know Buddy really trusted him.

[@wboyle9721]

That was great buddy holley was a friend not just saying this he was ahead of his time he is still much respected in the uk every pop group that came out of the uk said buddy was a great influence on them I just loved his guitar style when I'm playing my guitar a lot of family say the guitar sound has buddy Holly style to it must have rubbed off on me kind regards from scotland

[@unnownme]

can he record me? 18 year old upcoming artist I do all genres

[@Cradley684]

For the short time Buddy was on the Planet he made some great music to say the least,. 😀😀✍✍🎸🎸🎶 RIP Buddy Holly !!!.

[@WesternBop]

Amen.

[@brittonthompson4869]

Long live buddy holly"s music

[@gussplat]

cool story & AWSEOME song !! thanks for sharing

[@WesternBop]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Our__Earth]

Buddy rules !!!! I’ve been to his museum in Lubbock

[@WesternBop]

It’s great. I love that place.

[@DCJNewsMedia]

Ty so very much for sharing 💓 😊

[@WesternBop]

Thanks for watching!

[@darrowcelaya4310]

Buddy is one of my favorites. I have a double vinyl album of Buddy's recordings and Allison and Petty co-wrote with Buddy on many of his hits. Interesting note, Buddy was playing country music until he saw Elvis in Texas in '54 and switched to rock and roll. Waylon stated that Elvis changed Buddy.

[@WesternBop]

Elvis left a trail of rockabillies in his wake when he toured through Texas in 1954 and 1955. The first color footage of Elvis was filmed in Lubbock!

[@BTLFAEN]

There is a color 8 mm film on KZbin or they used to be of Elvis and Buddy Holly in 1954 in Oklahoma City. There’s no sound but is extremely interesting. Supposedly this is the first known film of Elvis. It was at a country show at the municipal Auditorium in downtown Oklahoma City. I believe Hank Snow was the highlighter

[@WesternBop]

I think the film you're thinking about is from 1955 in Lubbock. It was a Sun Records tour. The film also shows Carl Perkins brushing his blue suede shoes and a very young-looking Johnny Cash.

[@darrowcelaya4310]

.

[@donaldjohnlong5330]

Buddy and Ray Ruff went to see Elvis Presley perform live in concert, together in Lubbock in October 1956.

[@bowds7]

Thanks for that information, this was the first song I covered when I started singing and playing guitar when I was in my late teens early twenties, ❤

[@WesternBop]

That’s a great place to start!

[@clintwalls5217]

Great words for Buddy! I will Always wonder!!!!

[@patbrennan6572]

Buddy certainly was the one.

[@WesternBop]

I see what you did there! And I agree!

[@gregbiggs7564]

Absolutely no telling how big Buddy would have been…… so good…..my Aunt to Lubbock High with him ..The Crickets …the first Rock Band!!!!!

[@terryissitt2118]

Thanks for sharing. Buddy Holly has been a great inspiration throughout my life.

[@WesternBop]

Mine too - I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@wxsawxsa2941]

excellent creative music music channel JP⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@WesternBop]

Thank you! I hope to have more soon.

[@wxsawxsa2941]

@@WesternBop good luck im a texan too Dallas a Dj CLUB PT AUDIO ON TV KERA PBS D/FW club pays all the N/A beer tips I can live on alone GOOD LUCK PODNER

[@DrTom1946]

What another wonderful job. Thank you again!

[@WesternBop]

I appreciate the kind words!

[@BaconTomatoCheese]

This is always been one of my favorite Buddy Holly songs - didn’t realize it was his last. Great video, great performance - and you have a really great voice too, sir! Well done… Sidebar- I’ve always been a Strat guy - largely in part to Buddy!👍🎸

[@carlylewoodard269]

I love Buddy and learned something new from this.I had always thought "I guess it doesn't matter anymore" was his last song!

[@RoadOutWest]

Great video... I had no idea about this story / song. You're one of the few people I've met that really knows Buddy. I know you seemed familiar... I met you in Long Beach about a year ago when you opened for West of Texas and Deke Dickerson. I still have your card and Buddy Holly cover CD you gave me. Awesome video. Keep it up!

[@WesternBop]

Thank you very much. That was a fun night in Long Beach!

[@martinhall60]

Hello from Kingston upon Hull in the East Riding of Yorkshire. UK. You have a great channel, well done sir, for me Charles Hardin Holley will always be the best. For ever Buddy. 😎👍

[@WesternBop]

Thank you very much! I’ve been to Yorkshire once and very much enjoyed it. Rave On!

[@belindam7304]

What a wonderful song ! He wrote so eloquently for one so young. I think he'd be completely amazed (and humbled, of course) if he could see just how much influence his life and music has had over this world. And he had such a sense of humor too! You played that song great , i enjoyed it so much i watched it 4 times ! You tell a story very well too ❤ thank you for sharing a lesser known story about buddy , do you have any more you can share incidentally ?

[@WesternBop]

Thank you very much! I do have a few more at this link: kzbin.info/aero/PLuZQvOYI4Na1ozf0ZnwV2JsCzuyDtURJe&si=3BaJDE765KSriAnv

[@belindam7304]

@@WesternBop wonderful, i will check those out ! Have a blessed day 🙏

[@wormsnake1]

We will never know what might have been but we do know what Buddy Holly achieved. In such a short period of time he wrote so many timeless classics. I love the story behind this last song, an illustration of his natural talent and innate ability. Given how much money Buddy made he should never have been on that winter tour but sadly fate told a different story. I personally feel Mr Holly would have grown as an artist/song writer/musician and been inspired by the “British Invasion”. Thank you for this dedication to one of Americas finest. R.I.P Buddy Holly. 🙏😘🎼🎸.x

[@WesternBop]

Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I certainly agree with you.

[@michaelholmes4374]

What a great version happy days

[@WesternBop]

Thank you!

[@sorshiaemms5959]

Awesome never herd this song before thanks

[@WesternBop]

My pleasure!

[@hal511bm]

Very nice. Thank you, much appreciated.

[@WesternBop]

Thank you - glad you liked it!

[@dorkbrandon4422]

For any fans of the 80s British comedy ' The Young One's ' We know that Buddy's actual last song was ' Coo Coo Daddy Long Legs'

[@WesternBop]

😂

[@wboyle9721]

Buddy holley was much respected in the uk what a great songwriter

[@WesternBop]

So true. The UK really kept Buddy’s memory alive through the 60s and 70s until the US caught up a little. Even today, it seems there is a greater appreciation among the broad population over there than there is here.

[@wboyle9721]

@@WesternBop he did a tour of the uk in 1958

[@StevenDoesVlogs]

wow what a great video :) I always wondered why that song had waylon jennings in the credits as you would've thought they would've done a whole album together. But I never knew it was a bet. Buddy Holly is the greatest :)

[@WesternBop]

I suspect if Buddy hadn’t gotten on that plane they would have made a lot of music together over the years.

[@StevenDoesVlogs]

@@WesternBop Imagine how good that would’ve sounded. Buddy Holly and Waylon Jennings doing an entire album together something like the albums he did with Willie Nelson but with his iconic rock and roll style, maybe he could’ve even been part of the highwaymen. It’s crazy to think about his potential but at least he left so many great songs in the short time he was here.

[@stunacw1]

Thank you for sharing the story. I wish I can travel back to the 1950s

[@WesternBop]

The great thing about music is that it lets you travel back in your mind, if only for a few minutes…

[@stunacw1]

@@WesternBop But it's not enough.. 🥹

[@rockitMiC]

I didn’t know about this anecdote. You’re The One has always been special for me: it’s the archetype of Buddy’s songs: simplicity with genius!

[@WesternBop]

That’s a great way to describe it!

[@joegongora2200]

This was over-dubbed by the Fireballs when Norman Petty used them on the recording. The song was released in 1969 ten years after Buddy's death. It's a great song and it shows the musical talent Buddy Holly had as a songwriter and recording artist.

[@WesternBop]

I’ve always loved the undubbed Apartment Tapes. As you point out, his talent really shines.

[@tablettwentytwo1750]

Was the original posthumous 45 issue/ overdub, by Dick Jacobs? A Lush orchestral backing approach? Nice to see the UK Coral 45 copy. I recall reading years back, that those last songs were written due to a poss fractious relationship with Maria Elena? Certainly the titles pay credence. Learning The Game/What To Do, Crying Waiting Hoping- Even :You're the One alludes to a relationship gone sour. I always ask myself though- Holly's preference towards more studio/production work saw a general abandonment of R n R, as the Pythian Temple sessions allude to. Eddie Cochran was going down the same route- looking to explore more behind the scenes production work and getting back to what he (apparently) enjoyed the most- session guitar work. Does Waylon not play lead guitar on Buddy's Wishing? With the great King Curtis on the flip 'Reminiscing'. Apologies if I've gotten some facts mashed up. Not played a lot of Buddy Holly in near 20 years Always welcome to hear more insights into the talent and tragedy that was Buddy Holly. Rave On. (From Glasgow Scotland....) Quin

[@WesternBop]

The overdub on this one came fairly late, and was done by Norman Petty with The Fireballs. The orchestral sound was Norman playing an Ondioline, sort of a pre-synthesizer keyboard. All the Apartment Tapes (Peggy Sue Got Married, Learning The Game, etc.) were first overdubbed by Jack Hansen and NY studio guys (at the request of Dick Jacobs). They were then redone by Petty. Waylon played bass for Buddy; Tommy Allsup played lead guitar on Heartbeat, It’s So Easy, Wishing, and Love’s Made a Fool of You. Thanks very much for your comments!

[@jimideez9829]

@@tablettwentytwo1750 Thanx for sharin...

[@belindam7304]

​@tablettwentytwo1750 hi there ! Your the first to comment what I've been wondering about. The last songs buddy wrote (to me) seemed sad. About heartache, betrayal , love gone wrong etc etc...and I wondered of the inspiration of it. But I cant find anything much on it except for Peggy Sue's claims. Where did you get your info from? 😊

[@michaelfred8848]

I was a fan and a teen at that time but I didn’t have any money for records. I still remember how devastated I was when I heard he,the Big Bopper and Jimmy Valens all died in that plane crash😢

[@thedarkknight1357]

Jimmy!? It's Ritchie Valens

[@georgealty9009]

Amazing, thanks for sharing.

[@WesternBop]

Thanks for watching!

[@stevekirby1090]

Love all his songs. At 16 i was a bedroom songwriter like Buddy.

[@WesternBop]

Same here. I guess I still am…

[@BTLFAEN]

Please get them copyrighted.

[@bigtex9637]

5:44 Thank JP. I didn't know the story behind this song, I've been playing it for decades. I was born in 58, so Buddy was still alive when I was born. As a youngster I was always drawn to Buddy's music. I came from a music family and when I picked up a guitar as a teenager, some of the very first songs I learned were his. Perhaps because they are easy to play and sing together, as Waylon once said Buddy was primarily a rhythm guitarist when playing live. Waylon went on to say, not taking anything away from Buddy's ability to play lead guitar in the studio, but there is just something especially rhythmic and playable about his music. Years later I became a fan of Waylon, not knowing the connection in the pre internet days. When I finally learned of their early relationship I was blown away. Two of my favorite guitarists and performers started together. I met Maria Elaina and John Pickering years ago at a dedication to Buddy. I had a chance to speak to Waylon in passing when I was 16. He spoke to me as he walked by and I was high as a kite, just from a couple of words. I still play Buddy's music to this day. In an era when a lot of kids don't even know who the Beatles are, people always respond to Buddy's music when played live. He recorded all of his hits in 18 months. The things he could have done if he lived. Can you imagine Buddy Holley in the Traveling Wilburys with Roy Orbison? Oh well, we'll never know but I do know Buddy was the first successful performer to create a four piece rock n roll band with two guitars. There might have been some blues guys doing that, but buddy literally put that iconic two guitar live band in the map. Never be another Buddy, and certainly never be another Waylon. I will never stop playing their music as long as I can heft an ax....

[@WesternBop]

I feel the same!

[@OscarSanchez-sp5lc]

Very nice

[@WesternBop]

Thank you!

[@David-q3n3o]

Very sad day in music history ❤😢 February 3 1959

[@rhinohouse1161]

Wow! That was great and very informative. Thanks for this. I'll think about working it out on guitar. Working on "Words of Love" now in Bangkok. I'll watch for more.

[@WesternBop]

Thanks. It took me quite a while to figure out “Words of Love”. My version is still closer to The Beatles than Buddy. Good luck and thanks again for the comment!

[@WesternBop]

You might like my video on “Peggy Sue” if you’re interested in song structure…

[@tablettwentytwo1750]

This video has had me go back and listen to You're The One again, after my earlier comment. What it did throw up, was that the violin/string overdub reminded me of Robert Gordon's version of Walk On By. The Studio cut of Walk on Bye almost employs (to me), a note for note string liet motif that I hear on the You're The One overdub. Have a listen. Perhaps it's a common fill (in classical pieces), but I think the strings give depth to the recordings, albeit posthumously in Buddy's case. Another loss with Rober Gordons recent passing too. Rave On. El

[@WesternBop]

I’ll certainly give that a listen. The overdub of “Love Is Strange” always puts me in mind of “Everybody’s Talkin’ At Me” and other songs that came out about the same time. The loss of Robert Gordon was tough for me. He was a hometown hero and really got me into rockabilly back in the late 70s.

[@tablettwentytwo1750]

I hear what you're saying re Nilsson. I never did get to see Mr Gordon, albeit I had a good few chances when he played the UK venues. My go to el pea by Robert Gordon is still Bad Boy. Sorta showcases his vocal prowess, esp reworkings of Joe Browns : A Picture of You and (bizzarely), Haley's : Crazy Man Crazy. Penultimate track has to be Need You. I still have Sea Cruise/ The Way I Walk on a UK 78rpm press on the Private Stock label. I do prefer the Danny Gatton sides, but a last query: Did Robert Gordon ever do any Holly tracks? I can see him do a mean version of the Clovers/Buddy's: Ting a Ling. Again apologies- I've not played much Billie Rock in a while- I'm exploring UK Jazz combos at present. Rave On. El

[@WesternBop]

My favorite RG record is "Fresh Fish Special" - that's the one that got me hooked. As far as I know, he never recorded any Buddy Holly, but I agree, he would have torn up "Ting a Ling" or "Rock-a-bye Rock"!

[@Northern-Sounds]

Very interesting. Thankyou. 😊

[@WesternBop]

My pleasure!

[@hamiltoncerreti4537]

Amazing... 🇧🇷

[@shirleyjennings5787]

Awesome!

[@WesternBop]

I’m glad you liked it!

[@PaulRubino]

That was great. Thank you.

[@WesternBop]

Thanks very much!

[@lesleyvass8739]

Thank you!

[@WesternBop]

My pleasure!

[@briantilke]

In the early 1960 ties i wa the lead singer in a group called The Heart Beats we all loved Buddy Hollys music so much hence the name of the group and we always ended our gigs with Heartbeat surely Buddy Holly was the greatest artist of that time so sad 😢 we lost him so early what would he aceaved had he lived RIP Buddy ❤

[@WesternBop]

Great song and great name for a band!

[@mikenixon2401]

Very informative. Thanks.

[@WesternBop]

I’m glad you liked it!

[@johnlennon8653]

Can't help but to wonder where music in general would have gone, had not Buddy Holly died ,along with so many others back then. JP Richardson, Ritchie Valens on the same plane. Eddie Cockrane,Gene Vincent,Patsy Cline and so many others, gone before their prime.

[@wesleycook7687]

This might have been Buddy's last composition but his last recorded song was That Makes It Tough according to the Real Buddy Holly Story produced by Paul McCartney.

[@WesternBop]

That Makes It Tough was recorded on Dec 8 1958 according to Buddy’s handwritten notes on the tape box. You’re The One was recorded on Dec 27, 1958. It’s well documented by Bill Griggs.

[@wesleycook7687]

@@WesternBop Just going by what was stated in The Real Buddy Holly Story. It was a documentary. It was played near the end of the movie. It really depends on which was released first. OK I checked. That Makes It Tough was recorded in January 1959. So your Information is flawed

[@WesternBop]

That’s a great documentary. But You’re the One was definitely recorded in Texas after the Apartment Tapes. A really good book with a lot of documentation is “Remembering Buddy” by Beecher and Goldrosen.

[@wesleycook7687]

@@WesternBop I looked at the last part of the documentary again. It says That Makes It Tough was recorded in 1959. I remember buying a recording of Peggy Sue on Coral Records in 1958 and You're The One was the flip side. I bought a newer copy in early 59 and Every Day was the flip side. I've read a lot of books on Buddy and have got conflicted information in several of them. The booklet I got with The Complete Buddy Holly box set says That Makes It Tough was recorded in 1959. So, which one can you really go by ? Paul researched his documentary very much before committing it to film. And when Buddy was forced into The Tour From Hell just to make money because of Petty, he was upset . Who knows who had access to his songs and tapes after his death ? It's best just to enjoy his music because the people that were in the know are all gone and we can analyze it but can't really come to a conclusion.

[@seekthetruth824]

Seemed like a kind kid.

[@larrybd100]

You're the One by the Vogues was our song before she broke my heart. I like Buddy's song, too.

[@WesternBop]

I’ve always wanted to cover the Vogues song. I’ve had the 45 for years. Sorry to hear about your heart!

[@jimmccord487]

Great story.

[@WesternBop]

Thanks very much!

[@stevestrout3437]

His last song he ever sung was Brown Eyed Handsome man.

[@WesternBop]

Yep, that was the set closer in Clear Lake! “You’re the One” was the last one he recorded, and as far as anyone knows, the last one he wrote.

[@kingberger1241]

I was wondering how waylon got with Buddy Holly

[@WesternBop]

Buddy liked hanging around radio stations. He’d been doing it since he was a kid. It seems like he was friendly with lots of DJs. He and Waylon really hit it off.

[@felixdeljuncoriveron5434]

Me fascina ese cantante y tengo el orgullo de tener un disco de 45rpm donde están Every day y Peggy Sue,y fue gracias a ese disco que luego supe era esta gran artista

[@michaelmccreary8943]

Going to Lubbock next week

[@WesternBop]

Very cool. I've only been once, but hope to go back soon. The Buddy Holly Center is incredible!

[@ralphbenites1312]

I love buddy holly’s music.buddy put fender on the map.I’ve seen some buddy holly impersonators out there and they look a sound like buddy.🎸🎙👓

[@WesternBop]

Yes - there are some good impersonators out there. I’ve never looked or sounded like him but I love the songs.

[@1800nodavid]

Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@WesternBop]

Thanks for watching!

[@Amen.22]

I had a 45 of Oh Boy, just like that one, and just like that one it had, The Crickets I thought it should be Buddy Holly and the Crickets.

[@WesternBop]

Yes, all the releases on the Brunswick label were “The Crickets”, everything on Coral was “Buddy Holly”. I don’t think there were any records labeled “Buddy Holly and The Crickets” during his lifetime.

[@paulthorne3457]

Nice!

[@WesternBop]

Thanks!

[@Our__Earth]

JP. I do like this song but I’m wondering about of course we wjll never know exactly when he did all those apartment tapes… But I thought some of them were in January 1959 and they have dearest and Um oh yeah and a few other gems as well.

[@WesternBop]

Yes, those January tapes are all covers with the exception of “Buddy’s Guitar” which he adapted from a Ray Charles song and had been playing for many years. So the last song he wrote (that we know of for certain) is “You’re the One”.

[@peterflynn6327]

An Absolute Legend.

[@thearchangelgabriel563]

Nice

[@WesternBop]

Thanks!

[@alanFconrad]

Thanks J P

[@WesternBop]

My pleasure!

[@clintperry799]

The winter dance party should have been in the south !

[@WesternBop]

It certainly would have turned out differently!

[@Marakesh7]

I watched this thinking I was going to hear Buddy singing the song.

[@WesternBop]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZKqinSVgLZ8gLc

[@tonyroe1670]

Buddy Holly. Was copied by a lot of groups. And started. Beat groups like Beatles Stones Hollies. And so many more. One of the all time Rick songs to this day that will B the Day. Massive

[@WesternBop]

Massive indeed! Thanks for the comment.

[@burntsider8457]

I remember our guitar player telling me once that all Buddy Holly songs were in A. I see this last one of his was. I've never checked that claim against Buddy's catalog. Is it true?

[@WesternBop]

Not every single one, but a whole lot of them, and almost all his hits. When trying to figure out a Buddy Holly song, it’s a safe bet to try A first.

[@jasonnstegall]

Think about it: Buddy Holly ---》Billie Eilish (and Finneas, of course). [And many in-between, to be sure.]

[@WesternBop]

You’ve got a good point!

[@happyolddude]

Actually he never did fully cut ties with Norman because on the 12th September 1958, Buddy signed a new five year publishing deal with Normans company Nor Va Jak. I own the original agreement.

[@WesternBop]

I’d love to see a copy (or a transcript) of that agreement! Something definitely changed between Buddy and Norman between September and November. That relationship changed dramatically. Thanks for the comment!

[@happyolddude]

@@WesternBop It was called the widow!

[@WesternBop]

💯

[@happyolddude]

I will email you a copy J.P. -Roddy

[@maryblaufuss7533]

Has anyone taken over for Bill Griggs as official Buddy Holly archivist and historian since Bill went to be with Buddy?

[@WesternBop]

Not that I know of. Bill Griggs was so important in documenting Buddy’s life. It’s hard to imagine that level of dedication!

[@LEEFORDJAGG]

Re:Prism Records - if Buddy had severed his ties with Norman Petty,why was Norman listed on the business card as ‘Sales’?

[@WesternBop]

The card is from the summer of 1958. Things changed quickly in the fall.

[@shoknifeman2mikado135]

Ummm... This might have been the last song released during his life, but, according to every source I know of, the last song Buddy wrote (And recorded in his apartment on a reel to reel recorder) was LEARNING THE GAME

[@WesternBop]

“Learning the Game” was recorded Dec 17, 1958 in New York, according to Buddy’s handwritten notation on the tape box. “You’re the One” was recorded Dec 27, 1958 in Lubbock. This is well documented in primary sources, including books by John Beecher and Bill Griggs. Neither of these songs was released until after Buddy’s death.

[@Pappysan]

So, JP, would you agree that Norman Petty's withholding of funds indirectly led to Holly's demise? I've never seen that business card...was Holly still planning on going into business with Petty after his move to NYC?

[@WesternBop]

Norman certainly had some responsibility for Buddy being short of funds, so had some responsibility for Buddy booking that last tour. There are those who will argue this point, but I think from the correspondence between Buddy's lawyer and Norman it's pretty clear. The version of Prism Records with Norman Petty was dissolved in late November 1958. I don't think Buddy intended to continue working with Norman, but he did have immense respect for his abilities as a producer.

[@Pappysan]

@@WesternBop Right, well, their recording relationship was very fruitful and Holly pretty much had a free hand in it, something he most likely would not have had anywhere else...supposedly this "free hand" gave Petty some writing credits, etc. Instead of charging by the hour which would have been the case elsewhere.

[@WesternBop]

I agree!

[@littledevil2036]

The best ting Texas produce to the world.

[@WesternBop]

I agree!

[@Thighanmighty]

The part about Norman Petty holding up his money isn't quite right. In New York, Buddy had made a verbal agreement that he had shook on with a Musical Lawyer guy named Manny Greenfeld, to look after his affairs. Greenfeld made a legal claim to payments from Buddy. Whilst the legalities were being sorted out, the accounts of Petty for money owed to Buddy were frozen. Thats why Buddy couldnt get a hold of his money. Petty gets the blame, but Norman and Buddy were amicable...dont forget Petty had sold Buddy the Ampex recording equipment Buddy used to record his apartment tapes on. They years have often seen Norm Petty get the blame for Buddy having to go on the Winter Dance Party tour, but in reality it was the legal challenge from Manny Greenfeld.

[@Thighanmighty]

I have to add as well, Buddy's affairs were still not completely settled until the late 90s, early 2000's. His family and his widow contested certain things...it was quite messy. His widow is still alive, aged 90, and still controls everything in his estate.

[@WesternBop]

I understand about Greenfield’s lawsuit, but that was only about Buddy’s performance revenue, not about his recordings. Petty did have complete control of those accounts, and when Buddy split with him he used any excuse he could find to stop payments. If you read the correspondence between Buddy’s lawyers and Petty, there is a lot of obfuscation and no mention of the Greenfield suit. Norman Petty was a genius, and a brilliant sound engineer and producer, but he didn’t want to lose Buddy, and tried to use the finances to hold on to him. That’s my reading of the available evidence, at least. There are other reasonable interpretations, like the one you present. We can never know the absolute truth.

[@WesternBop]

I do appreciate your well written and non-confrontational comments! I thank you for that, as some have not been as civil!

[@Thighanmighty]

I always thought Petty was to blame but it was when I went to Lubbock in 2002 and met Bill.Griggs Buddy's historian. He stuck up for Petty and told me all.about Greenfeld. I also handled a lot of Petty paperwork, accounts and things like that. A receipt from 1958, for Joe B Mauldin. A withdrawal to the sum of 3000 dollars. The reason given? Clothes. They also bought a speedboat and waterski equipment, motorcycles, etc. Fact is, they spent money as fast as, if not faster, than they earned it.

[@heathstjohn6775]

Can anybody tell me please anything about the photo at 1'04'', with two quite modern-looking people in: one on a keyboard-looking instrument, the other one to the right, as you look ?

[@WesternBop]

I believe the fellow playing the steel guitar (on the left) is Weldon Myrick. The guy on the right is Bob Montgomery who wrote several songs with and for Buddy.

[@heathstjohn6775]

@@WesternBop Thanks very much. I've just read his Wikipaedia page: (1938-2014). Those people, and Holly's pre-New York hairstyle, (a little sparse), means that might be Larry Welborn on bass then. I've only just noticed the reflection in the wall mirror, behind.

[@WesternBop]

Yes, I think that is Larry Welborn on bass. I may be wrong about the steel player. After digging a bit deeper, it is more likely Don Guess.

[@heathstjohn6775]

@@WesternBop To encourage the speculation, although I've been reading about how Welbeck, (the man apparently whom Connie Francis said made the Connie Francis sound), knew Holly, too. As far as I've ever read, Don Guess only played the bass. Larry Wellborn was in ' The Three Tunes ', (sorry if you know already), with Holly & Montgomery.

[@WesternBop]

The image of Don Guess I linked here has the same slicked hair and cocked eyebrow as the steel player. I think everyone around Lubbock in those days played a bit of Steel guitar. Even Buddy took lessons for a while. i.ytimg.com/vi/BKCz703JLeM/maxresdefault.jpg

[@marcoa5249]

Buddy Holly was singing his very last song 😦

[@善逸-z7e]

✨✨excellent✨✨ (≧∇≦)b(≧∇≦)b ほんとに素晴らしい 音楽をありがとう🎶✴ fromJapan🙌🙌

[@WesternBop]

お褒めの言葉をありがとうございます

[@harvey1954]

Actually the $1,000 went to a gold top Les Paul, not a Strat. Buddy traded it in for his first Strat.

[@WesternBop]

True. The gold top didn’t last long once Buddy saw a Strat.

[@walter5395]

Whose J-35 are you playing?

[@WesternBop]

That’s my own J-45.

[@walter5395]

@@WesternBop Huh. I have a tribute, 2016, J-35 with the same headstock. Yours is probably much older. I have seen photos of a "Buddy Holly Guitar" with the same headstock with the old script label and the banner "Only a Gibson is Good Enough". Thinking that headstock was reserved for the J-35 but apparently not.

[@WesternBop]

They revived the Banner for those great J-35 re-issues. It was originally just used in the 1940s. Enjoy your Gibson!

[@Molly_Belle]

Buddy, would have been a great producer like he wanted. He could spot talent … insert “Waylon Jennings”😂He wouldn’t have been sleezy like the rest of them.

[@WesternBop]

Agreed. He and Phil Everly did a nice job producing the Lou Giordano number, “Stay Close to Me” (the only song Buddy wrote that he never recorded that we know of).

[@idaslpdhr]

Didn't know he had bought land and was planning a studio and record label, that makes me really sad about could have been, did his wife ever get the money he was owed

[@WesternBop]

Yes, it took a while, but the estate was settled.

[@WesternBop]

It is sad that he was never able to get to that next step.

[@ffluigishots9288]

Last song was Buddy's guitar or learning the game

[@WesternBop]

I’ve done a lot of research and reading on this topic. “Buddy’s Guitar” is something he had been playing for several years, starting back when he was on the local radio in Lubbock. It may have been the last thing he recorded (probably mid-January 1959 on a tape with several cover songs) but not the last thing he wrote. “Learning the Game” was recorded December 17, 1958 according to Buddy’s handwriting on the tape box. “You’re the One” was written and recorded 10 days later on December 27, 1958.

[@ffluigishots9288]

@@WesternBop He played Holly hop in Lubbock last wrote was unknown song. Others call it "Buddy's guitar".

[@WesternBop]

“Holly Hop” is not the same song as “Buddy’s Guitar”. “Holly Hop” was recorded in 1956.

[@ffluigishots9288]

@@WesternBop yeah but you said that Buddys guitar was something like. You meant holly hop

[@harvey1954]

The last song Buddy recorded was his "True Love Ways" so it's likely that the last song he wrote. There were three other songs in that session, but all were written by others. I remember "You're the One" with the strings when I started collecting Buddy's records in the early 70s.

[@WesternBop]

You are correct that these are his last studio recordings, but he left tapes of solo demos he recorded in his apartment after those October 1958 studio sessions. It’s well documented that “You’re the One” is the last song we know for sure that he wrote. It was recorded at KLLL in Lubbock on December 29, 1958. It’s possible that he wrote more between then and February 3, 1959, but no recording or handwritten notes are known to exist. The version of “You’re the One” you heard with strings is Norman Perry’s late 1960s overdub of the 1958 KLLL tape.

[@BTLFAEN]

This is NOT a “great” song but I am confident that Holly could have reworked this and improved it.

[@WesternBop]

It's a pretty amazing first draft...

[@westpoint64]

To each his own, but it sounds pretty "great" to me. I like and respect it as much as I do any other Holly tune I admire. Even though it was supposed to be a "bet quickie", to me it has as much lyric punch as anything else he did. He uses no near rhymes....and he makes each verse line rhyme. And there's a different "feel" to this, too....none of the swagger of "That'll Be the Day" or "Not Fade Away" here. "Sometimes you make me feel so bad/You make me cry deep in my heart/I feel like an actor in a play/Who doesn't fit the part" is some of the best songwriting I've ever heard in my life. I think this one has a lot more in common with "Learning the Game" and "That Makes it Tough" than some of his earlier songs. It's a little "dark" and less cocky-sounding but there's a real wallop there.

[@WesternBop]

@@westpoint64 - I agree 100%

[@onlythewise1]

was he killed air planes was safe

[@WesternBop]

Yes, he died in a small plane. It crashed in bad winter weather.

[@onlythewise1]

@@WesternBop oh ok

[@davidshirley7712]

Walon was never a cricket

[@WesternBop]

For The Winter Dance Party tour, Buddy toured as “Buddy Holly and The Crickets”. Waylon played bass for him on that tour.

[@maryblaufuss7533]

Walon was never a Cricket because no such person ever existed. WAYLON played with Buddy Holly during his last tour, and therefore was dubbed a Cricket by Buddy himself. Geez.

[@BonkNosey]

Lots of facts wrong in this video he needs to do his homework

[@WesternBop]

I’d be happy to address anything you think is incorrect. I’ve done a lot of homework…

[@michaelgeorge8671]

Bullshit.....Buddy wrote 5-6 songs and recorded them on a tape recorder in his New York apparment. They were released years after his death as he recorded them and overdubed by the Fireballs in Petty's studio.

[@WesternBop]

That’s true. And then he went to Texas for Christmas and recorded “You’re the One” at KLLL. It was released about 10 years later overdubbed by Norman Petty and the Fireballs.

[@barrytooley6724]

Sigh. Buddy’s money was being held up because of a lawsuit, not because Norm Petty chose to do so. Do some research

[@WesternBop]

I’ve done a lot of research. While there was a lawsuit, according to Norman Perry’s main defender, Frank Blanas, “There was cash available in The Crickets’ account….Petty refused to release any cash from The Crickets Clovis account.” (“The King of Clovis” page 329). The lawsuit held up some funds, but not from all sources of income. Norman Petty had sole control of the Crickets’ bank account, which even Frank Blanas notes was unusual. Petty never mentions lawsuits or lack of funds in responses to Holly’s lawyers.

[@kevinrichards1667]

Thats ace man

[@WesternBop]

Thank you!