Buddy Holly Story
Vinyl Record Memories

Imagine if there were a film about Paul McCartney. George Harrison is  written out completely, while the other two Beatles are named Jack Jones and Fred Smith.

You think that's ridiculous? Well, that's exactly what happened in this film.

The Crickets are all but deleted. Guitarist (the late) Niki Sullivan is written out completely. And why change the names of the drummer and bassist to a pair of nonentities named Jesse and Ray-Bob, when everybody knows that the other two Crickets were named Jerry Allison and Joe Mauldin. (died February, 2015)

It's an insult to three respected musicians. In reality, Sullivan did a lot of the work that Holly got credit for, and Allison's drumming was very much the band's distinctive sound.

And what about the broad disregard for historical accuracy with Buddy's producer, Norman Petty? Why was he ignored?

The group started in a small recording studio, and Petty helped write some of their earlier songs. Where are the daily trips to the Clovis, New Mexico studio? This important producer and his studio should have been reflected in the movie.

One of Buddy's major talents, besides his unique singing style and his songwriting ability, is often downplayed. Buddy was also a skilled lead guitar player, developing a unique rockabilly style all his own on his Fender Strat.

Gary Busey attempts to capture this aspect of Buddy's persona. There were other contemporary master guitar rockers of equal caliber, such as Carl Perkins, Eddie Cochran and Chuck Berry, but Buddy's talent is often overlooked.

In the movie Buddy is shown playing the Fender Bronco, the wrong model guitar. The Fender Bronco would not be around until the mid sixties.

The film closes with an extended concert scene featuring a medley of Holly hits, representing the final, fateful performance in Clear Lake, Iowa.

What an ending, what a thrilling moment, a joyful sensation of freedom and also an anticipated sadness, because we know these guys are living the last moments of their life.

You watch the movie in anticipation of the plane crash that would abruptly end the movie. How could it just end like that. But it doesn't...Everyone is on stage, Buddy shouts "See you next year," and the image freezes -- The rest is Rock and Roll history.

As sad music plays over the movie credits, an abrupt ending conveys extremely well, the brutality and the shock that was Buddy Holly and his companions' death. 

His career didn't last more than 18 months, yet he would change the face of music forever, inspiring many generations of singers.  Holly  would even inspire one of the most touching and beautiful songs ever, Don McLean's famous 1972 eulogy about that tragic February "Day the Music died."

If there is one reason to watch this movie, it's for Gary Busey's incredible portrayal of the lead character. This movie is not so much about presentation of the hard facts, but a celebration of a man and his music, which Busey's performance along with all of Holly's best songs easily accomplishes.

This wonderful old movie and McLean's song gave Buddy Holly back to us in a small but tangible way. For that, and for Busey's breakout moment, it is worth treasuring.