University of Virginia Library

Turned Off

Like many young men his
age who were turned off by
their girlfriends' screaming for
Elvis Presley, he embraced an
alternative musical idol named
Buddy Holly. While there was
no question as to Presley's
reign asking of rock and roll at
that time, Buddy Holly and his
music did make important
contributions to that era, and
influenced many
up-and-coming artists, ranging
from Bobby Vee to the Rolling
Stones.

Holly was the lead-singer of
a group known as the Crickets,
but also recorded as a solo
performer. Some of his biggest
hits were, "Peggy Sue,"
"That'll Be The Day," "Early
In The Morning," "Oh Boy,"
"Everyday," and "Maybe
Baby."

It's Don McLean's notion
that music died on February 3,
1959. For it was on that day
that Buddy Holly (along with
singers, Ritchie Valens and the
Big Bopper) was killed in a
plane crash just outside Mason
City, Iowa. McLean makes
reference to this sad event near
the beginning of American Pie.
He says he read the tragic news
while delivering
newspapers which is a key to
his age on a cold day in
February. The "widowed
bride," mentioned here is
Maria Elena Holly.