Buddy Holly — Timeline
Key moments in the life of Buddy Holly.
1936
Born Charles Hardin Holley on September 7 in Lubbock, Texas
1954
Made first recording session for Decca Records in Nashville
1955
Met Norman Petty and began recording at Petty's studio in Clovis, New Mexico
1957
Released 'That'll Be the Day,' which became a major hit reaching number one on the Billboard charts
1957
Formed The Crickets and appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show
1958
Released 'Peggy Sue' and 'Oh, Boy!,' establishing himself as a leading rock and roll artist
1959
Married Maria Elena Santiago on August 15
1959
Embarked on the Winter Dance Party tour across the Midwest
1959
Died on February 3 in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, at age 22
1986
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame