Buddy Holly: Greatest Hits
The early Elvis was often moony-eyed, and the Platters had their share (and someone else's, too) of romantic ballad hits, but it was Buddy Holly who all but single-handedly introduced the concept of sweetness to rock & roll. Not just on hushed near-ballads like "Everyday" either, but in many of his fastest numbers as well: "Peggy Sue," "I'm Gonna Love You Too." Even when he plays the tough guy on "Rave On," he comes on like a secret teddy bear. That understanding of love's currents, along with Holly's ingeniously calibrated performances and straightforward songwriting, make his records as timeless as anything from the '50s he didn't live through--more timeless, in most cases.--Rickey Wright