Did you know that long haired guys from English band the Rolling Stones were not always superstars? They arrived in America as outsiders during a very hot summer. They decided to play a song by Buddy Holly called Not Fade Away. It was a bold move because it took a familiar sound and made it feel brand new.
You can see the young faces of the band as they try to win over a crowd. Mick Jagger moved with a new energy that people from did not understand back then. Brian Jones played the harmonica with a grit that came straight from the blues.
The Rolling Stones – Not Fade Away (The Hollywood Palace 1964)
Fans who saw this live remember the feeling of their hearts racing. One viewer said that the music felt like a lightning bolt hitting the living room floor. Another person mentioned that they had to hide their excitement from their parents.
The years passed, and the small stages turned into giant stadiums. Those same five boys became legends who traveled across the whole world. By 1994 they were celebrating thirty years of making music together. They brought that same Buddy Holly song back to the stage for a massive crowd.
The Rolling Stones – Not Fade Away (Voodoo Lounge Live)
This version was a giant celebration with fire and huge screens. It became a twenty minute party that started with a funny introduction from Whoopi Goldberg. Keith Richards hit those famous guitar chords that reminded everyone of Buddy Holly.
Buddy Holly remains the true North Star of rock and roll music even ninety years after his journey began. His short life produced a timeless cultural inheritance that still fills rooms with joy today. Follow Buddy Holly on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to keep the memory of a real legend alive.