This week we’re paying a visit to the pantheon.
Buddy Holly’s professional career lasted less than two years, cut short by a plane crash in Iowa in February, 1959 (as described by Don McLean in “American Pie”). BH is of the same age, locale and musical background as Elvis. But as Lennon said, “Elvis died in the army.” And Buddy Holly lives. His songs have been recorded by a wide range of artists without a break for the past 50 years. His reputation continues to grow.
He’s a musician’s musician. Keith Richards credits him with inspiring the Stones to create original material. Bruce Springsteen said, “I play Buddy Holly every night before I go on–it keeps me honest!” Paul McCartney made an excellent, adulatory documentary movie about him.
The month before his death, Buddy recorded six songs he had written himself, alone with his acoustic guitar, in his living room at Apartment 4H of the Brevoort Apartments at 11 Fifth Avenue in Greenwich Village. For many years, these were known only in adulterated versions, over-dubbed with a cheap rock-and-roll band and chintzy backing vocals.
They included ‘That’s What They Say‘, ‘What to Do‘, ‘Peggy Sue Got Married‘, ‘That Makes It Tough‘ and ‘Crying, Waiting, Hoping‘. But the real gem for me is ‘Learning the Game‘, a painfully honest song that touches the adolescent bewilderment and insecurity most of us never fully outgrow.
All the songs display a sophistication of personal expression – especially cynical resignation –unheard of in a teenage context in 1959. Known today as “The Apartment Tapes”, they predate the singer-songwriter by just a few years chronologically, but by light years conceptually.
Buddy was 22 and a half when he recorded this, and when he died. At that age, John Lennon was recording “Love Me, Do”, and Bob Dylan had recorded one album of original material.
But for me, the stories and the loss and the legend are of secondary importance. What really matters is how beautiful and truthful a song is ‘Learning the Game‘.
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070: Buddy Holly, ‘That’ll Be the Day’ 122: George Harrison (The Beatles), ‘You Know What to Do’ b/w Buddy Holly, ‘You’re the One’ 155: Buddy Holly, ‘It Doesn’t Matter Anymore’
wonderfull song and great writing . very inspiring. Thanks.
Bob Dylan turned 22 on May 24, 1941.
Bob Dylan turned 22 on May 24, 1963. “Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” was released in May of that year, right around his birthday, but the recording of Freewheelin’ took place from April 1962 to April 1963.
So, it is not true, as you stated, that “at 22 and a half…Dylan had just finished his first album of original material.”
And you also failed to mention just what all that original material was, which was written at age 20-21….we’re talking about “Blowin’ in the Wind”, “A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall”, “Masters of War”, “Girl from the North Country” and “Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright”!
So please, Jeff, give me a break – not to take anything away from Buddy Holly (probably nothing new has been done in Rock and Roll since Buddy), but my goodness, don’t take anything away from Bob Dylan!
FYI: May 24, 1941 is Bob Dylan’s birth date.
Hmmm… he not busy being born is busy dying….
But we were Born in Time:-)
Loved reading this. Thank you Jeff.
Wow! What a sweet song!