Buddy Holly

USA, 1955–1959

American singer and songwriter (1936-1959) who worked with a self-contained band, the Crickets, writing and recording his own material. That format became standard for the groups that followed.

MusicRoots documents 2 artists who influenced Buddy Holly and 8 artists Buddy Holly influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Buddy Holly?

• Elvis Presley — Holly saw Elvis play Lubbock in 1955 and switched from country to rock and roll on the spot — a documented conversion.
• Hank Williams — Holly began as a country act steeped in Hank Williams's repertoire — the melodic base under his rock and roll.

Which artists did Buddy Holly influence?

• The Hollies — Buddy Holly gave the band not just a sonic model but part of their name.
• The Beatles — The band's very name and format were inspired by Buddy Holly's Crickets.
• Pixies — Francis cited Buddy Holly as the model for his compressed songwriting — the tight, concise two-minute structures behind the Pixies' loud-quiet dynamic.
• Del Shannon — Buddy Holly's melodic rock'n'roll was among the influences behind Shannon's hook-driven hits.
• Gene Pitney — Buddy Holly's melodic rock'n'roll was another of Pitney's stated influences.
• Paul McCartney — Buddy Holly's songwriting and melodic sense were a direct model for McCartney's craft.
• Ritchie Blackmore — Another of the names on Blackmore's own list of what he grew up hearing.
• The Kooks — One of the key influences Luke Pritchard names, with Dylan and the Beatles.