who originally sang not fade away
âNot Fade Awayâ is credited to rock-n-roll icon Buddy Holly and record producer, Norman Petty. The song was originally recorded by Hollyâs band The Crickets in 1957 (and later by The Rolling Stones among others). Hereâs Buddyâs original (2:23), which The Dead strung out into a 15-minute barnburner:
Of all the songs in The Grateful Deadâs hefty live repertoire, âNot Fade Awayâ may be the most underappreciated (excluding âDrumsâ and âSpaceâ for a moment).