I guess I have a morbid fascination with Buddy Holly.
Not only because of the plane crash that ended his life, but also for what might have been. Would he have become a washed-up 50s rocker like Jerry Lee Lewis and Fats Domino, or would he have endured?
It’d probably make a good novel that I should probably write, except every novel I’ve ever pitched has been rudely rejected. But if I WERE to write it, the timeline would go something like this:
Feb. 3, 1959: Buddy Holly looks at the weather outside the Surf Ballroom and decides to take the bus. “I’m not flying in THIS weather,” he says. “Besides, did you see that pilot? Dude looks younger than me!”
1961 – Milking his popularity, Holly appears in movies. One of them is in 3-D, featuring 3-D glasses that look like Holly’s. Holly threatens to get new, thinner frames. “You can’t get new frames,” his manager says. “We’ve got a whole marketing plan based on The Buddy Holly Glasses!”
1964 – The British invasion begins, and 50’s rockers are no longer cool, so Buddy Holly begins playing Vegas. Elvis, upon meeting him, says, “I like your style, kid. But lose the nerd glasses.”
March, 1966 — After years of being off the charts, Holly takes to drinking heavily. He’s arrested for drunk driving in El Paso, telling the cops, “Do you know who I am?” The cops don’t know.
July, 1967 — Time magazine story: “What Happened to Buddy Holly?” The reporter notes that Holly’s manager stole millions from him. Holly now lives with his maternal grandmother and earns $60 a week delivering chicken.
August, 1967 — The Beatles, having read the Time piece, invite their idol to India. There he takes up the sitar, drops acid and plays “Rave On” with John Lennon until sunrise.
Summer, 1969 — Holly marks comeback with a new psychedelic album, featuring George Harrison and Eric Clapton on guitar. He shows up at Woodstock with John Lennon shades, long hair and a frilly vest. His performance kicks off the “Woodstock” movie.
1971 — Holly starts his own record label. Don McLean is the first performer to sign on.
1975 – After years of touring, Holly announces his “retirement.” He gives ”final show” in Texas, with guests Santana, Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, the Eagles, Paul McCartney and KC and the Sunshine Band.
1976 — Holly releases new album, featuring disco music. Backlash results, and a mob of angry rock purists burn a pile of his records.
1978 — Holly is nominated for an Oscar for his role in “The Deer Hunter.” Loses to Warren Beatty. With popularity from the nomination, he goes back on tour.
Spring, 1984 – Accounces his plan to unseat the House of Representatives incumbent in his district in Texas. Upon hearing the announcement, his opponent scoffs: “That’ll be the day.” Holly wins by a landslide. A Democrat, he performs at Reagan’s inauguration in 1985 as a bi-partisan gesture.
April, 1986 – The Washington Post quotes Holly: “I guess I just don’t belong in Washington.” He goes back to studio for a comeback album and tapes his first music video. He turns down a chance to hang with MTV for spring break.
July, 1987 — He performs a rock-fuelled version of “The Star Spangled Banner” at the MLB All-Star Game. After the game, he asks Cal Ripken Jr. to record a song with him. The track appears on the next album — a covers project featuring old jazz standards. Holly and Ripken duet on “It Had to Be You.”
October, 1994 – Buddy Holly publishes his first kids book, “Peggy Sue Goes to School,” which debuts #1 on the NYT bestseller list. During his nationwide signing tour, he jams with fellow author Stephen King.
September, 2003 – ”Holly,” based on the rocker’s life, is set to film. Toby Maguire plays the lead, while Gary Busey plays Holly in his later years. Holly has a cameo as a radio DJ in Lubbock, Texas.
February 3, 2009 — Stephen King and Holly collaborate on Broadway show about the tragic death of Ritchie Valens. It’s called “The Day the Music Died.” The final scene features the fatal plane crash. The soundtrack, released exclusively on iTunes, introduces Holly to yet another generation. Guest artists include McCartney, Lady Gaga, The Flaming Lips, Elvis Costello and Usher.
Posted on February 2nd, 2010 by Pat
Filed under: Music
Good guesses, but your speculation still sounds a mite sunny. Throw in a drug overdose or a near-fatal car crash and it just might be believable.
Peddles a line of merch at his website including sweaters guaranteed not to fade away.