"Peggy Sue Got Married" History/The Different Versions Explained

[@happyolddude]

What is not being said here is that The Fireballs never wanted to do this overdub! George Tomsco told me numerous times that he tried to get out of it and asked Norman Petty the same. However, they were the Studios band and thus caught up in the middle. George also told me that he himself had suffered quite a bit of abuse from Holly fans about his role. This is a long story but I think you get the picture from the above. I still much prefer the Jack Hansen version because that is what I first heard the track.

[@NMagChiTown]

Glad they did, it's the best version of it aside from Buddy's original home demo. Not sure what's controversial about it? As huge Buddy Holly fan, I think it's the coolest one. The one with the back up singers is very corny quite frankly lol

[@mongrelhead1]

I definitely think the first acoustic version with just Buddy is the masterpiece.

[@ronniebishop2496]

Can you imagine he was just 22 when he got killed, what songs would he have written if he had just lived to be 32?

[@That_AMC_Guy]

Honestly, that's what really gets to me sometimes. Buddy Holly did so much in his 22 years it's almost unbelievable. I am 42 now and I haven't accomplished half of what he had. How did these guys do it? How did they find the time? Was life really THAT easy way back then?

[@boomerang1125]

I simply love Buddy Holly. I remember in early '59 hearing of 'the plane crash'. As a rock musician in the '60's we did a lot of Buddy Holly material. That's what the teenagers of that era wanted to hear (even after the 1964 addition of The Beatles to the music scene). The solo version is a simple "masterpiece". The 4th 1964 recording is the best of the 'alternative enhanced versions'.

[@beanie226]

Absolutely !

[@rabidgator6473]

Buddy, and Ritchie Valens are the reason I started playing the guitar. And they have remained my inspiration all these years.

[@simca5980]

I just love Buddy's voice!

[@chuckHart70]

I've always been impressed that buddy could lay down such clean tracks that later on could be made into giant arrangements. No matter which one you like you got to at least respect that part of it

[@tonyturner3031]

If you can find it there is now a version combining Buddy's vocal with Jerry Alison drumming from the David Box version. BLOODY BRILLIANT

[@happyolddude]

Nearly correct. The vocal was dubbed over the music from the alternate version of Peggy Sue itself. By that I mean there are two alternate versions of Peggy Sue.

[@JacksonBegleymusicguy]

I favour the 1964 version. Buddy’s demo track is so well integrated there because the Fireballs’ overdubs are so tight. It sounds like Buddy’s in the room with the band. The Fireballs did a much better job than the session players on the 1959 version, whose tempo was all over the place and couldn’t lock in with Buddy’s track. The Fireballs version also doesn’t have the hokey backup vocals, which is another big plus. I think the 1964 versions are the ideal way to listen to those demo songs, “Crying Waiting Hoping,” “Peggy Sue Got Married,” etc.

[@thewenik6876]

I agree with Jackson D. Begley. The Fireballs did very well backing. 👍👏🏻

[@cbot72]

The Fireballs did a great job on the songs they were given

[@eleven57icare]

I never knew the story of the different versions, I only knew the 1964 version, which I've always liked. I guess it's because it was on the "Buddy Holly Collection" Decca two-fer from the early 70s. I was so into Buddy Holly in 1974 when I was 14, so I was a real musical oddball among my peers.

[@That_AMC_Guy]

The Fireballs' overdubs were also produced by Norman Petty at the same studio Buddy recorded at. So, with the same producer who worked with Buddy - to Norman's credit - he already had an established "feel" for what Buddy would or may have done. Dick Jacobs was a wonderful producer, but he had only worked with Buddy twice.... Norman had spent YEARS with Buddy. The proof is in the pudding and most people would rather hear the Fireballs' overdubs. Kinda goes to highlight the fact that Buddy wanted to move back to Lubbock and establish his own Prism Records recording studio. I honestly don't believe he was getting what he wanted in New York. YES, it was the music-making center of the universe at the time.... but Buddy had total control if and when he was in Lubbock. In New York, without the Crickets and without him producing, his sound had moved too far away from what I believe he had initially intended. Listen to the two 1958 New York sessions that have been released and that's a far cry from the Buddy Holly of 1957.

[@eleven57icare]

Is there a 1964 Fireballs version of "Umm, Oh Yeah (Dearest)" as well?

[@adrianames8590]

Thank you for posting this! I always wondered why it sounded so different.

[@Acadmb]

Love this version the best, just the man and his guitar.

[@learning.7]

what a beautiful voice Buddy had. n such a handsome laddie. x

[@georgegabritsch975]

I fell in love with buddy the first time I heard him have everything he recorded the true king of rock and roll hope when I die I get to see him in God's home

[@thewenik6876]

Always liked this song. Didn’t know of his guitar only version until Buddy’s From The Apartment tapes came out. But knew of the backed up songs, though. Thanks. 👏🏻👍

[@adrienebailey9010]

Buddy Holly was one of the best singers ever. If he had lived longer he would be right up there with Elvis.

[@WurmisD]

The David Box version is good in it's own right, even if he was attempting to mimic Buddy's inflections. I dig the song with a faster tempo, too. However, Buddy's raw, unadulterated original remains my favorite.

[@adamglad7159]

The original accoustic version that Buddy did in his apartment is the best version!!

[@sjmoss148]

I find that I can't sing this song without welling up! I was only nine when the music died so grew up with the Beatles yet Buddy's songs had a profound influence on the sixties onwards forever!

[@TLK9419]

So true! My grandparents are about your age too, and they like talking to me about life back then. The Beatles, Buddy Holly, and Elvis are some of my favorite singers of all time.

[@georgemcmahon78]

I quite often cry when I listen to his Music as you can't help but think of what could have been, That plane should never have left the ground with such an inexperienced pilot in those conditions.

[@scruffy8861]

Have the original 1958 acoustic no overdubs on vinyl. My go to track whenever i want to hear something really good and what i play when i demo my setup to friends.

[@kevincasson9848]

What can anyone say apart from, this young man was the Eeinstein of popular music. It really is so. Think about it people! Think about it!

[@georgemcmahon78]

The Greatest Musician to ever Live.And 100% the King of Rock N Roll. And only 22. His Family and the whole World was robbed of Pure Genius. I have literally cried numerous times when I listen to his Music as it's just wrong what happened.

[@peterhodes6708]

Thanks for posting, only ever heard the 2nd recording before.

[@RP12ification]

Love David Box's version . Great compilation mate.

[@tedlawrence4189]

There was absolutely no reason for additional versions of this song. The original is the only one of importance.

[@southernpride2003]

I agree I prefer the undubbed versions of the apartment tapes

[@spankyharland9845]

I prefer the 1964 stereo version, much tighter, no background singers and it is Buddy who is singing it. The Fireballs knew how to play this song.

[@tonilehtonen7491]

As much as people gave flack to the overdubbed versions and their controversies, in hindsight I'm thankful they were released atleast as an option rather than just having his undubbed recordings and "that's it". I feel the same about Hank Williams Senior's music, as the overdubs MGM records did were most often horrendous, but atleast they're an option rather than not having them around, it makes you feel like they're still here with us somehow, evolving musically through the years.

[@DallasPix]

I believe that The Fireballs did the backing track on the 1964 version. I do know that Norman Petty did use them on several 'after death'1960's later recordings of Buddys'.. And to note this, So ironic, ..> October 23, 1964, David Box was a passenger in the small Cessna 172 Skyhawk piloted by Bill Daniels including passengers Carl Banks and Buddy Groves of The Kings Band Houston, Texas. The other band members, Glen Spreen and Bill Tillman, were invited earlier on this flight, however, both declined; David Box, who was a visiting musician guest, accepted the invitation. The pilot did not possess a federal license. Many accounts exist about that day as pilot error is the final contributing factor.

[@jamiej14544]

I favor the 1959 version, which was what I originally heard on the album "The Buddy Holly Story" vol 2.

[@juliusnepos6013]

A talent taken away too early

[@fernandoguevara8258]

Waaaaay too.....

[@niltonborges2842]

Great! Thanks from Brazil.

[@chrisfortyfive]

The guitar break version was the b-side to crying waiting hoping

[@tombodensick4437]

Buddy, please don't get on that plane! You have so much to live for. .

[@jasonnstegall]

Loved the Fireballs’ dubbing, but didn’t care much for the stereo mix, which was indicative of the time (1964). So…on a device which I was able to fold the stereo into mono, I have downloaded that version; on my iPhone which does not allow me to fold into mono, I have downloaded Buddy’s original undubbed demo. Which does sound great on its own. (Since my particular iPhone doesn’t also allow for me to use the shuffle feature, I downloaded the original mono single of PS and the demo of PSGM back-to-back.)

[@tonybentley3715]

The fireballs take Buddy Holly surfin'

[@phillydog57coupe]

The 1964 version is a masterpiece.

[@christophermondo]

anyone else ever notice how the backing musicians get off time for a few measures (about half the verse) post guitar solo? 3:23 once you hear it...

[@southernpride2003]

Honestly I've always preferred the undubbed version

[@michaelgeorge8671]

DAVID BOX VERSION IS BEST AS HE SUNG IT WITH THE CRICKETS AND JERRY ALLISON DID THE DRUMS .HOW GOOD CAN IT GET. BUT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE FIREBALLS OVERDUB EITHER. POSTED 30/11/23.

[@RP12ification]

Long live The Crickets -2023

[@johnsarab4500]

The Beatles took up where Buddy left off. i was 4 when the music died - I remember!

[@tinapatton7346]

Small quiz for BIG fans. Name the SIX songs, quote Buddy, "In nearly every song."?

[@philippedebasquette5341]

Dede Dinah, Queen of The Hop, Peggy Sue, Splish Splash, Ooh My Head,

[@tinapatton7346]

@@philippedebasquette5341 It's SIX now $ucka!!!!!! And, in DATE order IF ya can?

[@philippedebasquette5341]

On 45s: Peggy Sue Buddy Holly US Coral 9/57; Dede Dinah Frankie Avalon US Chancellor 12/57; Bobby Darin Splish Splash US Atco 05/58; Bobby Darin Queen Of The Hop US Atco 09/58; Ooh My Head West German Polydor 09/59; Buddy’s Song UK Liberty 02/64. Considering LPs Ooh My Head on US Del-Fi Ritchie Valens LP. 05/59 and Buddy’s Song on US Liberty I Remember Buddy Holly LP 12/63 the order is unchanged.

[@tinapatton7346]

@@philippedebasquette5341 Real neat try true scholar Phil. Tho STILL one missin'. Plus, by Year End '58 BUD knew NUTHIN of B. Vee/"I Remember BUD" or ANY post-Jan '59 songs. Tho he coulda known "Ooh My Head" around mid-Dec '58 thru Ritchie in NYC. Over to U-Hoo a -Hoo-Hoo??

[@philippedebasquette5341]

Well, seeing that Buddy and Ritchie were on tour together, I think that Buddy probably heard “Ooh My Head”. Nevertheless, although you keep moving the goalposts, you could slot in Jackie Walkers B side cut of Peggy Sue on US Imperial 10/57 as #2 and Rusty York’s Peggy Sue A side cover on US King from 12/57 as #3 or #4, depending on the exact release date.

[@jamesgudgeon4868]

I heard that David Box was killed in a plane crash as well coincidence

[@shoknifeman2mikado135]

Yup, imagine what THAT was like, for the other Crickets :(

[@rayromero4228]

With vocals like this, is it really a loss. He should never have tried to be Buddy Holly this was really the beat replacement they could find?! What am embarrassment to Buddy.

[@Injectedracing]

@@rayromero4228 David was good

[@rayromero4228]

No way. There have been other bands and groups that had to replace the main singer and they did a great job look at Journey, Lynard Skynard, Gin Blossoms, & others that sounded just as good the original sound and this David just sounded like he was doing a cover of Buddy Holly at karaoke that's just not my taste.

[@tonyturner3031]

I think the Guitar work on the 1964 dubs is far better than the Fireballs Tony from NZ😊

[@thomaspappalardo7589]

If you listen to the Dick Box version with headphones, you can faintly detect an electric guitar solo that seems to be mixed out. Wonder why?

[@kathrynsmith3508]

Beautiful voice I agree but handsome ..... you need glasses!!!

[@jussix48]

❤️👍🏿

[@scottbaker-ScottyB]

4th version best.

[@vladimirputinputin3945]

En español plis

[@TLK9419]

¿Quieres que agregue subtítulos con el texto en español?

[@vladimirputinputin3945]

@@TLK9419 si pudiras por favor ahy fans que no sabemos ingles gracias

[@TLK9419]

@@vladimirputinputin3945 El video tiene subtitulos en español ahora. Usé Google Translate porque no se español muy bien, por lo que puede que no sean perfectos.

[@vladimirputinputin3945]

@@TLK9419 de donde eres amigo

[@TLK9419]

@@vladimirputinputin3945 Soy de Michigan. Y tú, ¿de dónde eres?

[@UncleBoko]

Last version is awful

[@averageguy2525]

Every version is amazing!

[@TLK9419]

I agree.

[@brittonbanks646]

All of these records of Peggy Sue Got Married are fine!

[@AnalFungus]

3:24 OH FUCK NAH THEY FUCKED UP THE TRACK WITH THE SOLO