It only took one song to reach number one, but Buddy Holly was convinced his fame would disappear in less than twelve months. In October 1957, Buddy Holly sat backstage at the Georgia Auditorium in Vancouver while fans screamed his name outside. He had just released “That’ll Be the Day,” but he told a reporter something that no one expected to hear. Even though he was a giant star, Buddy was actually worried that his fame would vanish before the year was over. It is hard to believe that the man who changed music forever was once so unsure of himself.
Buddy spoke in a very soft and humble voice that made him sound more like a neighbor than a famous singer. He told the DJ that he thought rock and roll might only last for six or seven more months in the United States.1 He even said that the music would probably fail to pick back up after the Christmas season ended. There was a quiet fear in his voice as he talked about how the market was shifting. You can hear the hum of the busy room around him while he wonders if he should go back to playing country music just to stay popular.
Buddy Holly – CANADIAN INTERVIEW – 1957
People who hear this interview today are often shocked by how normal Buddy sounds. One listener noted that it is amazing to hear a legend act like such a regular guy. Another person mentioned that they could hear the politeness in his tone even when he was talking about big business. It feels like you are sitting right there on a crate next to him while he worries about his job. It is a rare look at a young man who did not know he was making history.
While Buddy was worried about the future in that quiet room, he did not let those fears stop him from giving everything to his fans. He took those same songs he was nervous about and brought them to the biggest stage in New York City just weeks later. He proved his own predictions wrong by showing the world exactly what a rock star should look like. That nervous young man from the interview disappeared the moment he stepped into the bright lights of a television studio.
Buddy Holly – That’ll Be The Day & Peggy Sue (Live 1957)
Standing under the hot lights of the Ed Sullivan Show, Buddy wore his famous glasses and a sharp suit while clutching his electric guitar. He played “That’ll Be the Day” and “Peggy Sue” with a huge smile that told a different story than his interview did.
Buddy Holly was a pioneer who combined a gentle heart with a bold new sound. His journey was short but he left a mark on music that will never fade away. He showed us that it is okay to be human and uncertain as long as you keep playing your song. Follow Buddy Holly on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to keep his wonderful memory alive.