Buddy Holly: The man who put the beat in Beatles

Jan 12 2009 by Emma Johnson, Liverpool Daily Post

Liverpool Rock 'n' Roll archivist Spencer Leigh _158

Going into the 1970s, John Lennon sang Peggy Sue on his Rock ’n’ Roll album, and Paul McCartney produced Denny Laine’s tribute album, Holly Days. Macca bought Buddy Holly’s catalogue not only as an investment but also because Buddy was a major influence.

Would Paul have written Yesterday if Buddy hadn’t come up with True Love Ways? Eat At Home (1971) isn’t one of Paul’s best songs, but it does demonstrate how Buddy Holly meets Day Tripper.

“It is obvious that The Beatles were influenced by Buddy Holly, especially John Lennon,” says Buddy’s widow, Maria Elena. “I am sure that Buddy would have been good friends with John. They would have co-operated with each other.”

Another songwriter from Merseyside, Paul Kennerley, who is now successful in Nashville, has bought Buddy Holly’s amplifier. “I can remember hearing Peggy Sue for the first time and it had a huge effect upon me and my life, “ he says. “Even today, Buddy Holly is as fresh as tomorrow. You put on those records and it’s like they’ve been sitting in the fridge. They are terribly easy for youngsters to play and sing, and so lively and simple and hummable. They’ll go on forever.”

* SPENCER LEIGH is the author of Everyday: Getting Closer To Buddy Holly, published by SAF, in February, 2009.