Despite his parents' support, Holly couldn't have become a founding father of rock 'n' roll without engaging in some degree of rebellion. Holly's mother and father, a tailor by trade, both proved to be very supportive of their son's burgeoning musical talents, generating song ideas and even penning a letter to the editor of Lubbock's newspaper in defense of rock 'n' roll-loving teenagers lambasted in a conservative editorial. A 1949 home recording of 'My Two-Timin' Woman' showcases Holly's skilled, if prepubescent, singing voice. Holly learned to play piano and fiddle at an early age, while his older brothers taught him the basics of guitar. 'Holly,' the altered form of his last name, would later result from a misspelling in his first recording contract. As the fourth and youngest child in his family, Holly was nicknamed 'Buddy' by his mother, who felt that his given name was too big for her little boy. Early Lifeīuddy Holly was born Charles Hardin Holley on September 7, 1936, in Lubbock, Texas. With hits such as 'Peggy Sue' and 'That'll Be the Day,' Holly was a rising star when a tragic plane crash struck him down in 1959 at age 22. Already well versed in several music styles, he was a seasoned performer by age 16.

Buddy Holly was an American singer/songwriter who produced some of the most distinctive and influential work in rock music.

Suzy q song buddy holly