About The Crickets
In 2025, Charles Hardin “Buddy” Holly, now approaching his late 80s, is recognized as an elder statesman of rock and roll, having survived the ill-fated “Winter Dance Party” tour to navigate the turbulent musical landscape of the 1960s and beyond. He embraced production work and dabbled in different genres, from soul music to more orchestral arrangements, showcasing the innovative spirit that defined his early work. Today, he still performs select nostalgia shows and charity events, his iconic Stratocaster in hand, though his primary focus is mentoring up-and-coming artists and running a respected independent label from a high-tech studio in his native Lubbock. He is revered by generations of musicians, from The Beatles to modern indie rockers, for being the original self-contained rock artist who wrote, produced, and performed his own material.
The Crickets, with core members Jerry Allison and Joe B. Mauldin, went down in history as the definitive backing band. After a successful run through the decades, including collaborations with various artists and a few solo projects, they are enjoying a well-deserved retirement, occasionally joining Buddy for a special reunion gig or a guest spot on a new artist’s record. Joe B. Mauldin became a highly sought-after studio veteran, having engineered countless classic albums across multiple decades at Gold Star Studios, while Allison remains active in the songwriting community. Their shared legacy is celebrated in a comprehensive exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a state-of-the-art Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock, serving as a testament to their foundational role in popular music history.
