   charles hardin holley (september 7, 1936 â february 3, 1959), known professionally as buddy&nbsp;holly, was an american musician and singer-songwriter and a pioneer of rock and roll. although his success lasted only a year and a half before his death in an airplane crash, holly is described by critic bruce eder as "the single most influential creative force in early rock and roll." his works and innovations inspired and influenced contemporary and later musicians, notably the beatles, the rolling stones, bob dylan, and elvis costello, and exerted a profound influence on popular music.npr article: "buddy holly: 50 years after the music died". in 2004, rolling stone magazine ranked holly number 13 on its list of the 100 greatest artists of all time. ==early life== charles hardin holley was born on september 7, 1936, in lubbock, texas, to lawrence odell holley (november 14, 1901 â july 8, 1985) and ella pauline drake (august 29, 1902 â may 20, 1990). holly was always called "buddy" by his family. the youngest of three siblings, his older brothers larry and travis taught him to play a variety of instruments, including the guitar, four-string banjo and lap steel guitar. at the age of five, holly's young voice and exuberance won him a talent contest singing a then-popular song, "have you ever gone sailing (down the river of memories)."history of rock & roll. by thomas e. larson. kendall/hunt publishing company, dubuque, iowa. copyright 2004. p
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