Rock and roll maverick Buddy Holly (1936–1959) was born Charles Hardin Holley on this day in Lubbock, Texas. His untimely death in a plane crash after a concert was immortalized in Don McLean’s American Pie as “the day the music died.”

"Buddy Holly gave you confidence. He was like the boy next door," reflected Paul McCartney. Holly’s clean-cut charm and fearless creativity helped shape generations of musicians, from Roy Orbison to John Lennon.

With his band the Crickets, Buddy helped define the classic rock lineup—two guitars, bass, and drums—and blended rockabilly with blues to create enduring hits like That’ll Be the Day, Peggy Sue, and Maybe Baby. His music stood out for its directness and sincerity—simple melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and a rhythmic hiccup in his vocal that made every song feel human, honest, and alive. He gave rock and roll a tender pulse.

He was a studio innovator, experimenting with double-tracking and orchestration. Most notably, he was among the first rock artists to regularly write his own songs, opening new doors for artistic freedom and authenticity.

"It’s destiny, Peggy Sue… everything’s destiny," he once mused. In less than a year, Holly racked up seven Top 40 hits—testament to his vision, focus, and spark. He always credited Elvis Presley for lighting the fire: “Without Elvis, none of us could have made it.”