First published 1997
Philip Norman examines the brief but transformative career of Buddy Holly, the Texas musician who helped create rock and roll before his death at age 22. Norman, who previously wrote acclaimed biographies of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Elton John, draws on extensive research including personal letters, business contracts, and private memorabilia. The book features an exclusive interview with Maria Elena Holly, the singer's widow, providing intimate insights into Holly's personal life. Norman traces Holly's rise from Lubbock teenager to international star, his innovations in recording and songwriting, and his influence on future generations of musicians. The biography captures both Holly's musical genius and the tragedy of a career cut short, offering readers a comprehensive portrait of one of rock's founding fathers through previously unseen documents and firsthand accounts from those who knew him best.
Genres: biography, 20th-century, american, music
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking, tragic
Tropes: biographical-fiction, rise-and-fall
Setting: Lubbock, Texas
Period: 1950s
352 pages · Paperback · Macmillan Pub Ltd