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Charles Hardin Holley (September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959), known as Buddy Holly, was an American singer and songwriter who was a central and pioneering figure of mid-1950s rock and roll. His style was influenced by gospel music, country music, and rhythm and blues acts. In 1955, after opening for Elvis Presley, he decided to pursue a career in music. After a show in Clear Lake, Iowa, he chartered an airplane to travel to his next show in Moorhead, Minnesota. Soon after takeoff, the plane crashed, killing Holly, Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper, and the pilot in a tragedy later referred to by Don McLean as "The Day the Music Died" in his song "American Pie". During his short career, Holly wrote and recorded many songs. He is often regarded as the artist who defined the traditional rock-and-roll lineup of two guitars, bass, and drums. He was a major influence on later popular music artists, including Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, The Hollies (who named themselves in his honor), Elvis Costello, Dave Edmunds, Marshall Crenshaw, and Elton John. He was among the first artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 1986. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him number 13 in its list of "100 Greatest Artists."
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
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2022
The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean's "American Pie"
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2019
Classic Albums: The Chirping Crickets
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2017
Buddy Holly: Rave On
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2012
The True Buddy Holly Story
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2009
Buddy Holly: The Definitive Story
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2005
The Music of Buddy Holly and The Crickets
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2004
A Tribute To Buddy Holly And The Crickets
Movie Himself
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2004
Eddie Cochran & Friends: C'mon Everybody
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2003
Rock 'n' Roll and the 1950's Vol. 2
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1999
Behind The Music: The Day The Music Died
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1999
Hollywood Rocks 'n' Rolls in the '50s
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1997
Classic Albums
TV show Self (archive footage)
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1985
The Real Buddy Holly Story
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1984
The Last Chance Dance
Movie Songs
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1983
When the Music's Over
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1958
The Dick Clark Show
TV show Self
More credits
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1957
American Bandstand
TV show Self
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1948
The Ed Sullivan Show
TV show Self