Buddy Holly Collection CD

Prinicpally recorded at Norman Petty's Studio, Clovis, New Mexico between 1954 and 1959. Includes liner notes by Billy Altman.

Digitally remastered by Erick Labson (MCA Media Studios, North Hollywood, California).

Few artists have exercised such a profound influence in such a short space of time. Holly's untimely death robbed pop of a performer adept as a solo act and as leader of his group, the Crickets. He wrote, or co-wrote, most of his own material at a time when many singers relied on outside material, and his sparse, but effective, guitar style proved highly influential, particularly on British beat groups. The Buddy Holly Story abounds with songs now indisputably pop classics and confirms Holly's status as a major figure. The Beatles, Tex-Mex music and the singer-songwriter genre each owe Holly a debt, which is itself a lasting tribute to the quality of his work.

Producers: Norman Petty, Owen Bradley, Bob Thiele, Dick Jacobs.

Reissue producer: Andy McKaie.

Personnel: Buddy Holly (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, background vocals); Bobby Montgomery (vocals, guitar); Sonny Curtis (guitar, fiddle); Niki Sullivan (guitar, background vocals); George Tomsco, Tommy Allsup (guitar); King Curtis, Sam "The Man" Taylor , Boots Randolph (tenor saxophone); Norman Petty (piano, celesta, organ); C.W. Kendall, Vi Petty, Owen Bradley (piano); Jerry Allison (drums, background vocals); Doug Roberts , Bobby Clarke, Panama Francis, Farris Coursey (drums); David Bingham, Gary Tollet, Ramona Tollet, June Clark, Bob Linville, John Pickering, Bob Lapham, Helen Way Singers, Bill Pickering, Helen Way, Ray Rush, The Picks, The Roses (background vocals).

Liner Note Author: Billy Altman.

Recording information: Bell Sound Studios, New York, NY (??/1954-01/1959); Bradley's Barn, Mount Juliet, TN (??/1954-01/1959); Holley's (Family Garage), Lubbock, TX (??/1954-01/1959); Norman Petty's Studio, Clovis, NM (??/1954-01/1959); Pythian Temple, New York, NY (??/1954-01/1959); T (??/1954-01/1959); Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, OK (??/1954-01/1959); Wichita Falls, TX (??/1954-01/1959).

Director: Dick Jacobs.

Photographer: Colin Escott.

Personnel includes: Buddy Holly, Bob Montgomery (vocals, guitar); Niki Sullivan (guitar, background vocals); Tommy Allsup (guitar); Norman Petty (piano, celeste, organ); Vi Petty, C.W. Kendall (piano); Don Guess, Larry Welborn, Joe Mauldin, George Atwood (bass); Jerry Allison (drums, background vocals); Faris Coursey, Bo Clarke (drums); June Clark, Gary Tollet, Ramona Tollet, The Picks, The Roses, The Helen Way Singers (background vocals).

The Fireballs: George Tomasco, Keith McCormack (vocals, guitar,); Stan Lark, Lyn Baily (vocals, bass); Doug Roberts (vocals, drums).

Rolling Stone (12/23/93, p.148) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...More than just another greatest-hits package, this 50-song survey stresses Holly's power as a performer as much as the strength of his songwriting...."
Vibe (12/99, p.157) - Included in Vibe's 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century