[Fresh Wind]

Because of Holly's untimely death, he became a legend. Had he lived, today he would be just another old guy doing golden oldies tours.

At the time of his death was evolving away from the rock'n'roll that made him famous, following Elvis into syrupy pop, even going as far as to (gasp) allow string sections to be dubbed onto his music.

His best songs were all hard rockers...

Rock Around With Ollie Vee
I'm Gonna Love You Too
Brown Eyed Handsome Man
Rave On
Oh Boy

And yes, in a sense, the music DID die that day in 1959, only to come exploding back to life in 1965.

[Fiji Hill]

And yes, in a sense, the music DID die that day in 1959, only to come exploding back to life in 1965.

Indeed!

Woolly Bully--Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs (1965)

[Baynative]

My dad was transferred to Lubbock, Texas in 1957 and one of the first things we did in our new neighborhood was go to the skating rink on Saturday Night for the Buddy Holly Hayride.

[Chainmail]

"the music DID die that day in 1959, only to come exploding back to life in 1965"

Not really. There was some OK Surf stuff and a few decent artists but from '65 on we had the wimpy Brit stuff and then tons of doper music. Tie-died shirts, muttonchop whiskers, bellbottom pants and draft dodgers.

That period of history is best buried where it belongs.

[Iron Munro]

Because of Holly's untimely death, he became a legend. Had he lived, today he would be just another old guy doing golden oldies tours.

One man's opinion.

Even the Beatles and Rolling Stones disagreed with this view.

Actually Holly was a Game-Changer in the early Rock N' Roll / Rockabilly era.

Both the Beatles and Rolling Stones, along with many others, not only recorded Holly's music but acknowledged the influence he had on their music and careers.

.

[Sicvee]

Oh, Boy was great. How about That’ll Be the Day, Not Fade Away, Maybe Baby, Think It Over, Lookin’ For Someone to Love. My favorite rockers. Then there was the tear jerker written by Paul Anka—It Doesn’t Matter Anymore.

[klgator]

At the time of his death was evolving away from the rock'n'roll that made him famous, following Elvis into syrupy pop, even going as far as to (gasp) allow string sections to be dubbed onto his music.

You're right. My brother had his latest album recorded without the Crickets heavy on orchestration. Even then it was excellent.