Joe Pass plays Buddy Holly on the Rock Legend's 75th birthday

September 7, 2011, marks the 75^th birthday of the great Buddy Holly.  In only 18 months, from when Buddy Holly and the Crickets hit the charts with their first release, “That’ll Be The Day,” to when he died in a tragic plane crash, Holly topped the charts with more than 27 Top 40 hits worldwide, with “That’ll Be The Day” going to No. 1. Even after his death, Holly went to No. 1 with “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore.” From rock to country to R&B, Holly’s songs have charted consistently for more than 50 years, proving that his music and his influence continue today. Brian Wilson said it simply:  “Buddy Holly is unique…his music matters because it is timeless.”

 

Holly died on February 3, 1959, often referred to as “the day the music died,” the event some believe was immortalized in the 1971 song “American Pie” by Don McLean. But even in his short time, Buddy Holly changed the sound and look of rock 'n' roll forever, leaving a permanent standard that continues to influence artists all over the world.  As Jackson Browne recently said:  “That wasn’t the day the music died…it was the day the music became immortal.”

Had Holly lived, he would have been 75 on September 7 ^th.   This notable day serves as the backdrop and the launch of a year-long celebration of his music and his musical legacy.  To start this celebration, on the eve of Holly’s 75^th birthday Verve Forecast and Songmasters release Listen to Me: Buddy Holly on September 6, 2011. Produced by the GRAMMY® Award-winning Peter Asher, a diverse group of leading contemporary artists from three generations recorded their favorite Buddy Holly songs.  Asher encouraged these artists to create a modern authentic rendition by adding their own artistic signatures. Rock legends such as Ringo Starr, Brian Wilson, Jeff Lynne, Stevie Nicks and Jackson Browne are joined by contemporary artists The Fray, Zooey Deschanel, Patrick Stump, Cobra Starship, Imelda May, Natalie Merchant, Pat Monahan and Chris Isaak.  The one and only Eric Idle, of Monty Python fame, has also contributed a track.  Each has created a track that continues the artistic evolution of Holly’s music, both true and new.

September 7 – Buddy’s birthday – will be officially declared “Buddy Holly Day in Los Angeles.”  Holly’s much-deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame will be unveiled as a permanent public monument to this iconic artist. The event will be star-studded in many respects, including a rare appearance by Maria Elena Holly (Holly’s widow) speaking on his behalf, along with Phil Everly, Peter Asher, Gary Busey(who earned an Oscar nomination playing Holly in a biopic) and surprise guests that are expected to honor a true legend. 

Click here to listen to guitar virtuoso Joe Pass do his version of "Not Fade Away", my favorite Holly tune. It comes from Pass' 1966 release, The Stones Jazz.