Remembering Buddy Holly - Interview of Larry Welborn

Larry Welborn was born April 13, 1939 in Pleasant Hill, OK. Larry played upright bass with the "Buddy, Bob & Larry" trio starting in 1955. They played fairs, clubs, skating rinks, and any place they could showcase their new rockabilly sound. Recording wise, he appeared on the early undubbed recordings of "Down the Line", "Brown Eyed Handsome Man, and "Bo Diddley" amongst others.
His most notable performace is on the recordings of "That'll Be the Day" and "I'm Looking for Someone to Love"
When Buddy & Bob split, Larry switched to guitar and the Four Teens were formed which included Joe B. Mauldin on bass, Terry Nolan and Brownie Higgs. They became extremely popular in the Lubbock area & released some recordings that did well for them including "Go Little Go Cat" and "Spark Plug".
Larry continued to do session work at Clovis at Norman Petty Studios and was briefly with The Crickets in the 1960's.
He now resides in Oklahoma, and performs locally with his band and operated his own recording studio.

[@Faith6120]

An absolutely wonderful interview. Thank you. Heard the sad news today. Sincere condolences to the Welborn family. RIP Larry. 🎸F❤

[@rockyesterline7942]

Thank you !!! Buddy was one of the Greatest we are Rocky & the Hurricanes and do a lot of Buddy's songs!!!

[@mcbillygoat2413]

Almost everyone who played with Buddy Holly has a clear memory and an extraordinary ability to communicate. Larry is no different. Buddy Holly lives through these people in exquisite ways.

[@carllodge3868]

He was the best

[@jasontouvi8978]

Larry was part of Buddy's Genesis as a rock and roll pioneer. He played on Buddy's earliest recordings. What a humble man.

[@stevedouglas7375]

There are many, many super talented young singer songwriters who's lives were cut short by tragedy and Buddy Holly is on top of that list. We all know about "Peggy Sue" and so forth, however, it is incredible to know that he wrote --- "True Love Ways" at the age of 21. Yes, his producer Norman Petty contributed, but to think of what Buddy would have come up with had he lived. Wow!!

[@juliegoff1731]

Oh yes ,iv said that many times !

[@scottymcalister7368]

RIP Larry. You are a hell of a legend, now your jamming with Buddy again right on man.

[@john9944]

Larry was a good friend of mine in Houston in the early and mid 80s. He was a wonderful guy. Never was there a more humble and reserved guy. I spent many nights with him. He played with a group called the Pickin' Fools. Man they were a sweet group.

[@JoeTakeHolly]

great video.there will never ever be another buddy holly the man was just so good

[@paigenorman6695]

I got to meet Larry in 86 after he received the gold record. He was so sweet and let me "play" his guitar. I was only 5 in 86 but while playing in some club he invited me on stage to sing with him...I froze up on stage but he had my back :D Never forgot him, very sweet man.

[@paigenorman6695]

He may not remember me, but I'm Velma Kay Welborn's daughter.

[@go4flush]

Paige Norman Thank You so much for your comments. I will make sure that I pass them on to Larry. Yes, you are right...he is a very nice man. As a musician I have learned a lot from him.

[@hollyhawk8682]

Paige Norman please tell your dad I love him and his music to bits...his bass playing on Holly's records are incredible. God bless him you and all your family.

[@xanjohn]

That was a wonderful, warm and insightful interview with Larry Welborn. Thank you so much for sharing this. Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley are timeless American artists, and every story is meaningful, even all these years later. Please thank Larry again for his time. And do post the next interview when you are able. My goodness, this man played bass on "That'll Be The Day," one of the greatest of the early rock rock recordings! Wow.

[@go4flush]

Thanks so much for your comment and I will pass it on to Larry. Should not be too long before we do the next interview. Will keep everyone informed. Thank you again.

[@sponson]

That was a wonderful interview, and I have been trying to learn that lick that he shows about 20 minutes in, since 1979. Now, thanks to Larry Wellborn, I can play it. Thank you Larry & Sons, & Buddy, and the man Buddy learned it from!

[@jamesoneill5070]

Listening to this on September 7th 2020 which would have been Buddy's 84th birthday. Findagrave memorial id 492.

[@jonprosise7162]

I though it was just Bob and Buddy but this guy was there. Awesome!

[@johndelong9230]

Thank you and please find more gems like this. That man is a treasure...

[@izzyshine1703]

wow..60 years ago..that'll be the day!! Larry rules!!!!!

[@remy7721]

Thank you so much for recording and posting this interview. Priceless history.

[@rayjr62]

Thanks for posting this gem. What a great interview.

[@JezQuayle]

Thank you so much for uploading this! Really fascinating. Buddy is and always has been massive over here in the UK. I've always known that he played bass with Buddy in those early years (and can be heard on 'That'll Be The Day' and other recordings), and I've wondered what happened to him. Now I wonder why he didn't appear in those two big documentaries that were made about Buddy Holly.

[@MorningMary67]

I'm a big Buddy Holly fan and it meant so much to hear Larry's words and recollections about these incredible musicians. Please tell him thank you for sharing his memories and thank you for posting this on KZbin. I look forward to hearing the next part of the interview.

[@go4flush]

Thank you so much for your comment. I will make sure that I pass your words on to Larry. We will be doing the next part of the interview soon.

[@hollyhawk8682]

go4flush Yes thanks a million for this. Incredible WOW!!!!!..no direspect to JB Mauldin but Larry on bass wih Holly was something special. Please ell him Holly fans have never forgot Larry Welborn. Thanks again for he upload, you have made my day.

[@hollyhawk8682]

Me too Mary.xx

[@bllhrt7863]

That guy larry plays guitar like my grandpa did and looks alot like him also. R.I.P. buddy holly, and all the rest of the good guitar pickers that remind me of jack wells, my grandpa.

[@downtownbobbybrown6237]

Thanks for the post , I heard Ji Allison speak of you're Grandpa .

[@SolarReturn1966]

Very nice interview! Really enjoy hearing historical backgrounds in music! 👉👍👍👍✌

[@tracymccrary3205]

I love Larry he played with my late husband. He is my little cricket. Super sweet man. Love and miss you Larry. You will always be my little cricket and I will always be your Flutterby.

[@Mr5thWave]

So, there was a bass at the high school in Lubbock that was used in Buddy Holly's band, got returned, and probably doesn't even exist today. Perfect.

[@sonnyjenkins4908]

I'd like to add another attribute to Larry, from someone who grew up in the same circle of friends in Lubbock. Larry , even at a young age, always seemed to always be on, or looking for the cutting edge,,,example,,,when we were all still in our late teens, Larry had a little recording studio on 19th street in Lubbock for a while. Also I remember Larry somehow getting his hands on one of the first original echo units of the time, from Germany I think,,,,,I think it was called and echoplex,,,or echosonic. I called Larry a few years ago but he didn't seem to remember me as well as I remembered him. We had a lot of the same mutual friends,,as did Buddy and I.

[@ansias77]

Fascinating story. The little garage/studio you mention on 19th was called Venture, co-owned by Larry and Bobby Peeples.. i think it might be a familiar name to you too. Buddy Holly and Jerry Allison recorded some demos there in '56.

[@sonnyjenkins4908]

@@ansias77 Yes,,I remember Bobby Peeples,,,I didn't know he was in on that.,,,so many that have slipped from our memories,,,like Tinker,,,,and Jack Neal,,,I was playing for Jack Neal when I got married,,,(the 1st time,,,LOL). So sad we've lost Larry now.

[@ansias77]

@@sonnyjenkins4908 Thanks Sonny. I'm a HUGE West Texas 50's/early 60's r'n'r fan and researcher from Spain. I'd love to hear your recollections about all those guys i've always admired so much. I'm sure we have a lot of names in common..Buddy & Crickets, Tinker & The Cats, Roller Rink, Cotton Club, Bamboo Club, Glassarama, Fair Park, Hi-D-Ho, Night Owl, KDAV, KLLL, KSEL, the Corbins, Jerry "Bo" Coleman, Waylon, Johnny Rackler, Joe Westbrook, Niki Sullivan, The 4 Teens, The Ad Libs, Terry Noland, Jack Davis.. I'm sure most of these names have taken right to your teens ! lol So You played with Jack Neal ?? that's cool, Jack was a real great and friendly guy, i gladly met him on my trips to Lubbock.

[@Daxiediller78]

My brother Larry. Not real brother but he was the older brother i never had RIP LW

[@robertbaxter3681]

Made me cry, thanks for posting.

[@austinstratman2036]

What a fabulous video! Love Larry, always have.

[@biscaynekid]

Thanks for sharing this interview. I hope there will be a follow up soon.

[@rockyesterline7942]

Listen to Buddy's virson of Elvis I want to play house !!!

[@michaellittlewood3032]

I so want more. Great! Just Great!

[@eliortegajr9710]

This is fantastic! Thanks Larry Welborn for your time. Thanks go4flush!

[@jaysonstarkey5665]

you/re welcome Eli!!! Stay tuned, there is a part two to this video coming up very very soon.

[@go4flush]

I should have said thank you for my go4flush tag! Thanks again, Eli!

[@thefonzkiss]

12:06

[@aljadissanchez9043]

Wow Master 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 saludos desde Colombia

[@mikekorzek9056]

At Tupelo I was able to lean my cheap Peavey Guitar Afainst the Family Car, Kinda Cool...

[@TomClarkSouthLondon]

FANTASTIC!

[@ryanfulldark2775]

This was an awesome interview! What kind of guitar is Larry rockin there? Never seen anything like that

[@cncarter3]

Awesome

[@samuraibounds]

Excellent video! Is it possible you could write out what it says on that handwritten setlist? It's a bit fuzzy on video. I'm very interested in Buddy's musical journey and having some songs he might've played by request would keep things interesting.

[@hollyhawk8682]

Thanks for this. Love this man, and a fantastic muscian too!! When was this interview done?

[@go4flush]

The interview was done just a couple of months ago..actually the day that I uploaded it. We are planning on doing a follow up interview in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for watching!!

[@hollyhawk8682]

Cheers can't wait. And please tell him a lot of Buddy Holly fans loved his bass work on his rarer songs. Wished he had stayed with Holly and played slap bass on his hit records. I think his bass work would have made Holly's songs more interesting...no offense to JB Mauldlin intended..

[@thefonzkiss]

Norman Petty = conman

[@hollyhawk8682]

When is the follow up to this please!!!!!!

[@go4flush]

should not be too much longer. We are waiting for a day when Larry is free to do the video. Will keep you updated. Thanks for asking.

[@mikekorzek9056]

I wrote The C7th for the dennis the mance...

[@monmac1165]

Wasnt Buddy's Strat destroyed in the crash....I know for certain that singers always travelled with their guitar.....anybody?

[@go4flush]

Chubble my understanding is that all gear was on the bus that broke down. The charter was just to fly them to their next show destination.

[@OsitoTejano]

The last Stratocaster Buddy was playing on the Winter Dance Party tour is in a glass case at the Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock. There was still a pick stuck in the pick guard and it's there too.

[@bostongirlsandy]

What was happening with Buddy's hiccups?

[@leeloveyouricyourthemanalw5374]

People say I look like buddy.

[@dolly6323]

I was just wondering if Buddy Holly's widow ever remarried

[@go4flush]

Dolly Valdes no ma’am, she never did.

[@TheBlackDahlia47]

Actually, she did remarry and had 3 children.

[@HectorCruz-wf6wg]

She married a government official from Puerto Rico years later had 3 kids and then got divorce.

[@karentarkington236]

I would think it to be difficult for women such as Maria elena, Priscilla and Vivian liberto ...

[@juliegoff1731]

She lives in Texas

[@TheWGLOVER]

That guitar was stolen. The only known guitar is the 1958 3 tone sunburst held by the Buddy Holly museum. Nothing sold for $4 million. If it was ever found, it would probably fetch that amount.

[@LJHowardPhoto]

There are photos of Buddy (in the New York apartment?) playing what appears to be a Gibson J-200 acoustic. And some of the undubbed apartment recordings sound like he used an acoustic. Whatever happened to that guitar?

[@TheWGLOVER]

I wondered about that too. Theat guitar was on some of Buddy's best stuff.

[@LJHowardPhoto]

Best example I can think of is on Well All Right where you can hear the acoustic guitar clearly.

[@MrYeloot]

Les Howard Gary Busey bought it at auction