[ Car Engine Starts, Revs ]
[ Car Door Opens ]
♪♪ [ Car Radio: Country ]
♪♪ [ Organ ]
[ Chattering ]
♪♪ [ Drummer Warms Up ]
Hey, Riley, we're all plugged in and tuned up. We close?
Yeah, we're ready.
Hey, Ray Bob, Riley wants to hear your mike.
Right here. Say something into that mike. Let him hear that.
One, two— One, two, three, testing. One—
How's that sound?
That's a good level, Buddy. Hold it right there.
Yeah, you better get ready. lt's about 30 seconds till 8:00.
- We're ready. - ♪♪ [ Organ Continues ]
Hey, Doug, you'll have to quit now. We're going on the air.
Okay.
♪♪ [ Stops ]
Yes, ma'am. You're in tune with radio station KDAV. in Lubbock, Texas,
1 31 0 on your dial, where it's just about 8:00.
Time for the Holly Hayride brought to you this week by Verti-Gro.
Now through the remote facilities of KDAV, we take you...
live and direct to Parker's Roller Rink...
for this weekend's Holly Hayride Show!
l'd like to welcome you all to the Buddy Holly Hayride tonight.
We'd like to kick things off with a little tune by Les Paul and Mary Ford.
♪ When the sun in the mornin' ♪
♪ Creeps over the hill ♪
♪ And kisses the roses ♪
♪ 'Round my windowsill ♪ [ Man ] What is this shit?
♪ My heart fills with gladness ♪
♪ When l hear the trill ♪
♪ Of the birds in the treetop ♪
♪ On Mockingbird Hill ♪
♪ Tra-la-la, tweedlee-dee-dee ♪
♪ lt gives me a thrill ♪
♪ To wake up in the morning on Mockingbird Hill ♪
♪ Tra-la-la, tweedlee-dee-dee ♪
♪ There's peace and goodwill ♪
♪ You're welcome as flowers on Mockingbird Hill ♪
Whoo-ah!
[ No Audible Dialogue ]
♪ Tra-la-la, tweedlee-dee-dee ♪
♪ lt gives me a thrill ♪
♪ You're welcome as flowers on Mockingbird Hill ♪
- Well, hi! - Say it again.
♪ You're welcome as flowers on Mockingbird Hill ♪♪
♪♪ [ Stops ]
[ Man ] Hey, Buddy, play some bop. Come on.
Neighbors, if you want to take full advantage of your precious farmland,
l suggest you try new 1 0-20-1 0 Verti-Gro with your fall planting.
[ Announcer Continues ] What do you want to do, Buddy?
Do you like that? Wait till you hear this one. Let's do "Ollie Vee."
l don't think we'd better, Buddy. lt's for the boppers.
Hey, "Ollie Vee." l don't think we'd better.
"A."
We'd like to do this one for the boppers.
For those of you who bop.
Ready. [ Man ] One, two— One, two, three, four.
♪ You're gonna rock to the rhythm and the blues tonight ♪
♪ Every little thing's gonna be all right ♪
♪ 'Cause tonight you're gonna rock to the rhythm and the blues ♪
♪ Well, l bumped into a gal named Ollie Vee ♪
♪ Ollie Vee come from Memphis Memphis, Tennessee ♪
♪ And tonight you're gonna rock-a rock around with Ollie Vee, Ollie Vee ♪
♪ Ollie Vee says she's gonna treat me right tonight ♪
♪ l'm gonna wear my blue suede shoes tonight ♪
♪ And tonight you're gonna rock-a rock around with Ollie Vee, Ollie Vee ♪
♪ l'm gonna shout gonna holler gonna giggle tonight ♪
♪ Take it to the rhythm in the middle of the night ♪
♪ And tonight you're gonna rock-a rock around with Ollie Vee, Ollie, Whoo ♪
[ Excited Chattering ]
Come on, girls. Let's go. Come on. Let's go.
♪ Well, l think they're gonna call the cops tonight ♪
♪ lf you try to push Ollie and me tonight ♪
♪ 'Cause tonight you're gonna rock-a rock around with Ollie Vee, Ollie Vee ♪
♪ Well, l bumped into a gal named Ollie Vee ♪
♪ Ollie Vee come from Memphis Memphis, Tennessee ♪
♪ And tonight you're gonna rock-a rock around with Ollie Vee, Ollie Vee ♪
♪ Ollie Vee said she'd come and treat me right tonight ♪
♪ Gonna wear my blue suede shoes tonight ♪
♪ 'Cause tonight you're gonna rock-a rock around with Ollie Vee, Ollie Vee ♪
♪ l'm gonna shout, gonna holler gonna giggle tonight ♪
♪ Shake it to the rhythm in the middle of the night ♪
♪ 'Cause tonight you're gonna rock-a rock around with Ollie Vee, Ollie ♪
- [ Screams ] - ♪♪ [ Continues ]
[ Phone Ringing ]
Good evening. KDAV. Riley, what in the hell are you doin'?
Hi, Weldon. What is this crap you got on the air?
No, l don't know what it is. You'd better find out what it is.
l tell ya. l am not buying bebop.
Well, l did tell him no more bebop music.
Go on out there. Cut him off the air. Do something.
Well, no, sir, l can't cut him off,
but l'm going to call out there and tell Parker to tell him to quit that stuff.
l tell you what. You got about 30 seconds to get that off the air,
or l'm going to pull every damn one of my spots.
You understand me? [ Sighs ]
Don't sound half bad, though. ♪ 'Cause tonight ♪
♪ You're gonna rock-a rock around with Ollie Vee, Ollie Vee ♪
♪ You're gonna rock to the rhythm and the blues tonight ♪
♪ Every little thing's gonna be all right ♪
♪ 'Cause tonight you're gonna rock to the rhythm and the blues ♪♪
♪♪ [ Stops ] Whoo, yeah!
Thank you, Lubbock.
Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. [ Crowd Cheering, Whistling ]
Since you feel so good, we're gonna do another one of our own.
[ Cheering ] ♪♪ [ Guitarist, Drummer Tuning Up ]
[ Clapping lntensifies ]
♪♪ [ Strumming ]
[ Crowd Whistling, Cheering ]
One, two, three, four.
♪ Well, that'll be the day when you say good-bye ♪
♪ That'll be the day when you make me cry ♪
♪ You say you're going to leave You know it's a lie ♪
♪ 'Cause that'll be the day when l die ♪
♪ When Cupid shot his dart He shot it at your heart ♪
♪ So if we ever part and l feel blue ♪
♪ That should tell me, baby that you love me, maybe ♪
♪ That's someday when l'll be true ♪
♪ That'll be the day when you say good-bye ♪ ♪♪ [ Vocalizing ]
♪ That'll be the day when you make me cry ♪
♪ You say you're going to leave You know it's a lie ♪
♪ 'Cause that'll be the day when l die ♪
Uh, Frank, you're going to have to tell Buddy we can't have it.
♪ Well, that'll be the day when you say good-bye ♪
♪ That'll be the day when you make me cry ♪
Take it easy, now. You'll all get in.
♪ You say you're going to leave You know it's a lie ♪
♪ 'Cause that'll be the day when l die ♪
♪ Well, that'll be the day ♪
♪ Whoo-hoo That'll be the day ♪
♪ Whoo-hoo That'll be the day ♪♪
[ Crowd Cheering, Applauding ]
♪♪ [ Stops ]
[ Cheering, Applause Continue ]
Thank you.
[ Choir ] ♪ When the roll is called up yonder ♪
♪ When the roll ♪
♪ ls called up yonder ♪
♪ When the roll is called up yonder l'll be there ♪
♪ On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead of Christ shall rise ♪
♪ And the glory of His resurrection shared ♪
♪ When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies ♪
♪ And the roll is called up yonder l'll be there ♪
♪ When the roll ♪
♪ ls called up yonder ♪
♪ When the roll is called up yonder l'll be there ♪♪
Thank you, Brother Smith, for that beautiful music.
Beautiful music.
And on the subject of music,
l have a few words that l'd like to share with all of you...
before we start the service.
Now, those of you who have already seen this morning's paper...
might suspect that l am prompted to these comments...
by what took place in our town last night...
at the roller rink.
Friends, there is a new form of music-
if you can call it music-
that is as un-Christian...
and un-American as anything we have had to face in the past 50 years!
[ Congregation Murmuring ln Agreement ] Now, this music,
this jungle rhythm,
this abandonment...
that seems so popular with some of our children...
is a threat to our morals.
Yea, l say that it is in fact...
a threat to our very society!
And l urge all you parents...
to do anything possible to keep your children far away...
from the disgraceful kinds of goings-on...
which apparently follow on the heels of this new music...
and of those who perform it!
For what we are about to receive, O Lord, help us be truly thankful. Amen.
Amen. Amen.
[ Sighs ]
Thank you. l'll have a drumstick...
and another drumstick.
You've got to admit, Buddy, we've been mighty patient.
We never said a word when you decided not to go on to the seminary.
And we let you sow your wild oats playin' your music.
l think it's time you told your father and me...
just what your plans for the future are.
l haven't even thought about it. l don't know.
[ Sighs ] You put off college for over a year.
What for? To play this jungle music?
How could it be jungle music if l wrote it?
Well, you got the whole town down around our ears.
lt seems like everybody hates the stuff.
What about those people that were there last night?
Just a bunch of kids.
They won't always be kids.
We just want you to have somethin' to fall back on...
in case things don't work out for you.
Well, Mom, l'm not gonna fall back.
You had best give your future...
some serious thought right now.
♪♪ [ Car Radio, lndistinct ]
♪♪ [ Conflicting Radio Signals ]
♪♪ [ Country ]
You think there'd be somethin' good on this somewhere.
Maybe Shreveport.
♪♪ [ Doo-wop ] KWKH, rhythm and blues.
♪♪ [ Stops ] What are you doin'?
You know, Buddy, it's been more than a year since we graduated.
l know.
l mean, l keep wakin' up on campus every mornin'...
just hopin' l'll see you with me.
Mmm.
Well, maybe you will.
l'd like to be sure everything's the same between us, you know?
[ Sighs ] What are you doing?
Charles Hardin Holly, what am l going to do with you?
l guess nothin'!
♪♪ [ Doo-wop ]
Buddy. [ Sighs ]
Buddy. l damn near broke my fingers, Cindy.
Buddy, come here, honey. Come here.
What?
l just want to show you how happy we could be.
♪♪ [ Continues ]
[ Clattering ]
[ Buddy ] l hear somethin'.
[ Cindy Moaning ]
[ Moaning Continues ]
Holly, Holly, Holly, Holly, Holly!
- Well, tell me about it. - Your timing is as good offstage as it is on.
[ Man ] Well, all right. Riley's lookin' for you.
- What does he want? - l don't know.
What are you guys doin'? Well, l'll show ya.
[ Laughing ] Oh, my gosh!
♪♪ [ "The Star Spangled Banner" ]
Hey, there he is!
The man that's bringin' rock and roll to the great state of Texas and my radio station.
How ya doin'? Hey, l got something for you.
Lookee here. lt's about time.
Little Richard, Fats Domino, Big Joe Turner.
Take 'em home with ya. l can't play 'em. Thank you. Thank you.
What'd you call this, rock or roll? Rock and roll.
Disc jockey up in Cleveland made that one up, and he's doin' real fine with it too.
ln Cleveland. Got to get a maid here.
l'm sorry about that stuff at the roller rink,
but l can't play those regular radio songs when you put those kids in front of me.
l got to play my own stuff. Well, l've only heard from one sponsor so far.
What'd he say? He wasn't too keen on it.
But l'm not going to worry about it,
'cause l did hear from another guy, a guy named Wilson.
He was in town, and he heard your show. Oh, yeah?
And he wants to see the band next Thursday...
in Nashville.
ln Nashville? Nashville.
Are you kiddin'? This guy happens to be vice president of World Records.
Can you go? Can l go?
God. Nashville.
As soon as l do the dishes. [ Laughing ]
♪♪ [ Radio: '50s Lounge ] You got it floored?
l always have it floored.
Let me floor it a while.
You got it.
Ready? Yeah.
Wait, wait. Hang on.
Okay. Go. Go, go, go, go! Go.
[ Chuckles ]
♪♪ [ Continues ]
♪♪ [ Humming ]
Jesse, try New Orleans one more time for me.
Still can't get it.
Like to get a fighter, just strafe some trains.
What?
♪♪ [ Buddy Playing Guitar ]
♪ lf you knew ♪
♪ Cindy Lou ♪
♪ Then you'd know why l feel blue ♪
♪ Without Cindy ♪
♪ My Cindy Lou Ooh ♪
♪♪ [ Continues Playing ]
♪♪ [ Stops ]
♪♪ [ Guitar Playing Resumes, Faster Tempo ]
♪ lf you knew Cindy Lou ♪
♪ Then you'd know why l feel blue ♪
♪ Without Cindy ♪
♪ Cindy Lou ♪
♪ Well, l love you ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Scatting ]
♪♪ [ Stops ] Good song. l like that song.
Nashville.
[ Shatters ] Ooh, got it!
[ Man On P.A. ] One, two, one.
♪♪ [ Country Tempo ] ♪ That'll be the day when you say good-bye ♪
♪ That'll be the day when you make me cry ♪
♪ You say you're gonna leave You know it's a lie ♪ ♪♪ [ Vocalizing ]
♪ 'Cause that'll be the day when l die ♪
♪ When Cupid shot his dart ♪
♪ He shot it at your heart ♪
♪ So if we ever part ♪♪
l'm sorry.
Hold it. Sorry. [ Man ] Hold it, boys.
Uh, Buddy? Hoss? [ Buddy ] Yes, sir?
You're rushin' that tempo a bit, ain't ya?
Well, l wrote it at that tempo.
Maybe then it's your guitar throwin' you off.
How 'bout tryin' it without it? [ Sighs ]
Well, l tell ya, l feel a lot better when l have it on.
You know?
Well, go ahead and hold it, but don't hit it.
"That'll Be The Day," take seven.
[ Man ] One, two, one.
♪ Well, that'll be the day when you say good-bye ♪ ♪♪ [ Vocalizing ]
♪ That'll be the day when you make me cry ♪
♪ You say you're gonna leave You know it's a lie ♪
♪ 'Cause that'll be the day when l die ♪
♪ When Cupid shot his dart He shot it at your heart ♪
♪ So if we ever part then l'll feel blue ♪
♪ 'Cause that should tell me, baby ♪
♪ That you loved me, maybe ♪
♪ That's someday when l'll be true ♪
♪ Well, that'll be the day when you say good-bye ♪
♪ That'll be the day when you make me cry ♪
♪ You say you're gonna leave You know it's a lie ♪
♪ We will come rejoicing and bringing in the sheaves ♪ ♪ Ah-hah ♪♪
♪♪ [ Vocalizing ] ♪♪ [ Stops ]
[ Ray Bob ] You boys can sure bring in some sheaves.
There ain't a sheave left out there, partner. You sure done us proud.
Oh, shucks. Shucks, shoot. Shoot, shit!
l hear you been getting nowhere, Buddy. What's the problem?
[ Chuckles ]
The problem is they want to make us play hillbilly, but we don't play hillbilly.
We thought you wanted to do what we did at the roller rink.
Look, sonny, l told you. We don't make Negro records here.
Buddy, l truly appreciated what you did at the roller rink,
but T.J. here is our top producer,
and he's in charge of the music when we come into the studio.
Okay? Well—
l have a sound in my head, and so far it's not like anything we've done here.
[ T.J. ] Wilson, the kid don't like Elvis Presley.
l like Elvis fine, but l'm Buddy Holly. Just a minute.
Oh, yeah, Buddy.
You said we were going to do our music our way. You're not even usin' our drums.
Drums is for parades, boy.
Well, someone screwed up the music. lt sounds like S-H-l-T, pal.
Right. Hell, they don't even allow drums at the Grand Ole Opry.
We're not country players. Why do you have a country band playin' behind us?
'Cause there ain't no such thing as a hit record...
with just three guys playin' in any kind of music.
That's just it. We've arranged it so a small group will sound as good as a big one.
You called me Monday and said, "Let's make some records fast."
l'm here. This is what we've done. What do you call it?
Probably a mistake, Buddy. Excuse me.
Well,
l guess that tears it, hotshot.
Now, why don't you get your nigger-lovin' ass right back out there where you belong?
[ Grunts ] Come on, baby. Come on!
Let's get the hell back to Lubbock, boys.
♪♪ [ Radio, lndistinct ]
Hey, Riley. How you doin', Buddy?
Aw, gettin' out of show business. [ Chuckles ]
That's bullshit. They're not the only record company in the world.
What are you doin', anyway?
l just signed off at the station. l want to talk to you.
l'm really catching hell from some of the sponsors about your radio show.
You know that. Yeah, l heard. Sorry.
Buddy, l'm not makin' diddly on the station as it is,
or else l'd tell every single one of 'em to jump up my ass.
But if l lose one more sponsor,
l'm going to lose the station.
That's all there is to it. So, from now on l want you...
to just play strictly country music on your show, just like you used to.
Oh, no. Uh-uh. Come on, Riley. l got to play in front of the people.
lf l'm not moved, how are they going to be moved? l can't be moved by playing country music.
That's the way it has to be, or else l'm going to have to fire your ass.
l'll have to get you off the air. Well, then pull me off the air.
♪♪ [ Radio Continues ]
God. l'm sorry, Buddy.
That's okay. That's okay, Riley. l'm sorry.
lt's business, Buddy.
Yeah, l know. [ Scoffs ]
Show business.
l don't know whether it's going to cheer you up or not,
but l did send your tape to a guy l know who works for a record company in New York.
My tape? What tape are you talking about?
The roller rink show. l recorded the last two tunes.
l never heard it.
Well, l recorded it.
What did it sound like? Why didn't you tell me? What did it sound like?
You didn't ask.
What did it sound like, Riley?
There's somethin' there. l mean, that's real.
lt's clean and simple, and you got yourself ahold of somethin'.
That's what l was tryin' to tell them clowns in Nashville.
Except they didn't listen.
Well, Buddy, l knew it was just a matter of time before things all came to a head.
Let's face it. You can't make a life for us out of your hobby.
Music was nice when we were high school children.
A man can't play at somethin' his whole life.
What time's the bus? Oh, a few minutes. Take your time.
What a beautiful mornin'.
l wish l'd have worn my sunglasses.
God.
Unlock the door, Cindy. Oh.
[ Clears Throat ] Buddy.
Son of a bitch!
[ Sighs ]
Aw, poor thing.
l know it's been a tough week for you.
But it's all for the best. l'm sure of it.
Why don't you get my bag, and we'll go on inside? Go on.
What? Get my bag, and we'll go on inside.
Oh, l just can't wait till my sorority sisters see you.
You're gonna love it there, Buddy.
Now, as soon as l get to campus,
l'll have them send you all the information about enrolling next semester, all right?
Yeah. All right.
One-way to Austin, please. Just think.
ln less than three years, l'll graduate, and we can get married and get an apartment.
ln less than five years, you'll be out. We'll both be working. We can buy a house.
l know Daddy'll give us the down payment.
Oh, Buddy, all the things we talked about ever since we started goin' steady.
How long has that been?
Charles Hardin Holly, thanks a lot.
We have been going steady exactly five years ago this weekend, as a matter of fact.
l would appreciate it if you would try and remember those things in the future.
The bus.
Well, honey, l guess it's been a good anniversary after all,
things workin' out like they did.
Oh, don't forget to tell the guys you're leavin' the band, now.
Oh! That's pretty heavy. Could you put it in the back for her?
Yeah, l'll take care of it. All right. Thank you.
Watch your step.
Oh, Buddy, l always knew you'd come around... eventually.
Well, l don't think l'm going to be comin' around eventually.
What? Well, what am l going to tell the kids at college?
Well, tell 'em, uh, "Boola-boola."
Have a good time.
Hi, Maria. How ya doin'?
Hi, Ross. Sorry about all that studio overtime this month.
l've been chasing after some new sounds.
Well, if you've got 'em, l don't care about the money.
lf l got 'em, l wouldn't be apologizing.
Ah, well, all right. That's not what l wanted to see you about, anyway.
Eddie, l'm thinking of signing that kid from Texas.
What are you talking about?
Don't you remember? Last month l played a tape for you by that band from Texas.
You listened to a tune called "That'll Be The Day" several times.
Yes, and l told you it was the most unique sound l'd heard in years, right?
Well, l wanted to get your thoughts about a possible release.
[ Chuckling ] l thought it was a great idea.
That's why l had it released early this week.
- You pressed the demo? - You didn't tell me it was a demo.
l assumed you bought a master from another label, so l had it pressed.
Eddie, l haven't even signed that kid.
Well, you'd better sign him in a hurry, 'cause it's selling.
Talk to you later.
[ Buddy ] ♪ Every day it's a-gettin' closer ♪
♪ Goin' faster than a roller coaster ♪
♪ Love like yours will truly come my way ♪
♪ Hey, hey ♪ Stay with me.
♪ Every day it's a-gettin' longer ♪
♪ Every way love's a-gettin' stronger ♪
♪ Come what may Do you ever long for ♪
♪ True love from me ♪
♪ Every day it's a-gettin' closer ♪
♪ Goin' faster than a roller coaster ♪
♪ Love like yours will surely come my way ♪
Stay there. ♪ Love like yours will surely come my way ♪♪
What was that noise? Yeah, it was a strange sound.
ls it your bass-drum hardware? l thought it was, but it's not.
What did it sound like? l didn't hear it. lt was kind of a squeak.
Let's go it again. [ Tapping Foot ]
[ Clicking Tongue ]
One and two and three and four.
♪ Every day it's a-gettin' closer ♪
♪ Goin' faster than a roller— ♪♪ Hold it. That's it.
Around here someplace. l can hear it.
[ Buddy ] Can you hear it while we're playin'?
- lt's a high-pitched sound or something. - l don't hear it.
l don't hear it. What?
l don't hear it.
[ Sighs ] Well, l don't know. lt's over there somewhere.
l don't know. Let's try- Screw it.
One, two, three, four.
♪ Every ♪ Wait. Hold it.
What the hell was that? Just the tape.
[ Clicking Tongue ] One, two— [ Chirping ]
- [ Jesse ] There it is. - lt's a goddamn cricket.
Yeah, it's a cricket. [ Chuckling ] lt's right over here.
Buddy, there's a phone call for you. Long-distance.
Someplace in New York. Who the hell do you know in New York?
Who do you know with a phone? Not a lot of people.
l'll tell you what. Next time you're in the band room, could you get me a glockenspiel?
"Glockenspiel"? You know, one of them, uh, xylophone carry ups?
Yeah. Okay, l want to stick it on this deal.
And don't kill that cricket. lt's bad luck. Bad luck.
What does he want with a glockenspiel?
lt is right over here someplace.
At least the son of a bitch is singing in key.
[ Buddy ] ♪ Well, that'll be the day Whoo-hoo ♪
Over here, over here, over here. Hey!
Ah, yes, it's the very man himself, "Madman" Mancuso,
on the way to breaking the world's record of playing one single, solitary song...
for who knows how long!
- Hello. - Hey, is this Buddy Holly?
Yep. Just hang on a second, would ya?
- Okay. - ♪♪ [ Radio, lndistinct ]
♪♪ [ "That'll Be The Day" ] Well, l finally tracked you down.
Buddy Holly, this just happens to be Madman Mancuso...
telling you you are it with Buffalo! [ Chuckles ]
[ Laughing ] Well, that's great. What about the reindeers?
No, no, no. l meant Buffalo, New York! That's where l'm calling you from.
l have been in the studio playing your hit record...
continuously for the past 14 hours!
"That'll Be The Day" came up number one in sales and requests...
all over Madman Mancuso land this week.
You may not yet be a star, but the Madman predicts you are not very far.
What do you mean, "That'll Be The Day"? What's goin' on here?
- Who is this? - This is your number-one booster, rooster.
l'm the top jock in Buffalo, and l'm turning the world on to your sound.
Now, how about a few words for your fans, the millions of people listening right now?
- You— We're on the air? - The Madman's listeners would like to know...
how you get that exciting sound?
What is the instrumentation of your band?
Well, there's a guitar and a set of drums...
and there's a stand-up base, and there's a cricket on the end of it.
So the name of your band is the Crickets, huh?
Well, you ought to start puttin' that on the label.
l'd love to continue this conversation, but duty calls.
l'm going for 24 hours nonstop of "That'll Be The Day" by Buddy Holly and the Crickets.
And thank you for calling me all the way from Lubbock, Montana.
No, that's Lubbock, Texas. Uh, thanks a lot for playin' it.
l appreciate it. And tell the missus "hello."
Thank you, Buddy! ♪♪ [ Continues ]
[ Pounding On Door ] Come on! Come on! Get me!
Come on! Come on!
Hey, wait till you hear this. lt's a new hit record. We got it.
lt's called, "Violence ln The Streets." Come on!
Come on! Come on!
Hey, rope-a-dope, my contract.
l want another six weeks. l want a vacation.
l want a lot of stuff, okay? l got ideas. You know what l mean?
l got ideas. l'll tell you somethin'. l—
[ Cricket Chirping ]
Goddamn it.
l just love show business.
Holy shit. [ Chuckling ]
God. What happened here? [ Chuckles ]
Where you been? You guys aren't going to believe this.
You're just not gonna believe it.
[ Car Horns Honking ]
[ Driver ] What you tryin' to do, get yourself killed?
Sorry. How much, my man?
Uh, 3.30 on the meter times three passengers comes to 9.90.
3.30, huh? Here's a ten. Keep the change.
Hey, thanks a lot, buddy!
No, no, he's Buddy. Huh?
Wacko con artist. Wacko.
[ Ringing ] Good morning. Coral Records.
No, l'm sorry. He isn't in.
May l take a message?
Okay. l'll have him return the call.
Thank you.
[ Clears Throat ] [ Chattering ]
Good morning.
May l help you with anything? Well—
- Yes, ma'am. - Well, with what?
- Anything you want to. - Do you have an appointment?
Yes, but we could break it. Couldn't we break it? l could break it.
- What do you want to do? - [ Chuckles ]
- Are you the 1 0:00 appointment? - [ Hillbilly Voice ] Yeah.
You're the Crickets. Oh, God. Yeah.
Good morning, Maria.
Uh, Mr. Turner.
The Buddy Holly and the Crickets.
Buddy Holly? No, he's Buddy.
Over here. How do you do? Hello. How are you?
This is Jesse, the drummer. And Ray Bob plays stand-up bass.
Hello, Ray Bob. How you doin'?
l'm Ross Turner. Thanks for coming in.
Thanks for puttin' out our record. How about some champagne?
Come on in, fellas. Let me have some Coca-Cola.
Champagne's good for me. l'll have a Dr. Pepper.
[ Door Closes ] [ Chuckles ]
l hope you fellas understand we didn't mean to release your record...
without letting you know first, but our A&R man liked it so much he just put it on out.
Well, l think it's nice to have a hit record without a contract. Yes.
Well, that's one of the reasons l wanted— Oh. Thank you, Maria.
That's all right. We'll get it. Thank you. [ Giggling ]
Here, let me. No calls, please.
Whoo. Hot number, huh?
What's her name? Her name is Maria. Maria Elena Santiago.
Her aunt is in charge of our Latin-American division.
She sure is pretty.
You know, fellas, l— Oh, thank you.
l have to confess. l thought you were a Negro group.
Thank you very much. Wait a minute. ls that why she was laughing?
Yeah. She's been watching us go through our whole act,
gearing up to promote a Negro group from the South.
- l thought she was laughing at me. - No. Me.
[ Clears Throat ]
Well, uh, how much money you think we're going to make on this deal?
Ah, well, now, let's see.
"That'll Be The Day" will certainly go a million,
and royalties for the three of you should be around...
$75,000.
l think l can get you part of that today. 75,000.
Come here. Let's talk about this. That's $75,000.
Boys, we'll have the best producer in the business doing your sessions.
Well, here we go again.
Um, l'm the producer of the band.
l have complete say about our music, and that's it.
Buddy, don't be silly. No artist has ever been his own producer.
Studio time costs a lot of money.
Nobody ever gets a record session handed to them without supervision.
We've been down the supervision road in Nashville.
Yeah, it was awful, and l'm not ever going to do it again. Uh-uh.
But this is New York. l simply can't put an artist in charge of his own session.
Look, you may have had problems in Nashville. l guarantee you...
you'll have no such problems here.
l guess we won't. What do you say? Let's go see R.C.A.
All right? Excuse me. Let's go, boys.
l'm going to produce the records. l don't give a shit, okay?
Uh, thank you for the Coca-Cola and the champagne.
The refreshments was real nice. Buddy, before you go,
please try to understand the recording business is a very complex affair.
Songwriters come up with a song.
Arrangers decide how the song will be done.
A performer is chosen who is right for that song.
Finally, a producer"s charged with putting all those elements together in a studio.
l can't see why you're so opposed to having a seasoned pro...
in there with ya getting the sound we all want.
Because he doesn't know what it is, and l can't tell him. That's why.
How's he going to produce what l hear? lt starts with me.
Your complex system here— Heck, it works fine for you guys.
But we're a little band, three pieces. l write the songs.
There's no formal arrangement.
We'll make a sound together, and when it feels good, we put it on a tape.
Now, if your producer could do that, then you'd owe him $75,000, not me.
ls that right?
- ls it right? - Right.
Right. And nobody's going to make us sound wrong again. That's all l'm sayin'.
l'd rather shovel shit in Lubbock. Excuse me.
Buddy, stay here and make me some hits...
your way.
Okay. l'd be proud to.
Whoo-hoo! Let's get this thing signed up.
Yeah. Let's sign some checks here.
Damn!
[ Buddy ] Excuse me.
Mickey, l don't care if they know God personally. l don't book gospel acts.
What about the Treniers? How much for five days?
Hold it, Mickey. There's somethin' wrong with the phone.
Now, what's that price again?
For Christ's sake! l don't want to keep 'em. l just want to use 'em for a week.
What about Frankie Lymon and the, uh, Teenagers?
But wait- Hold it, Mickey. This phone is goin' again.
[ Pounding Phone On Desk ]
How much?
Mickey, why don't you just hold a gun to my head?
You're a rotten bastard, just like Ma said. Yeah, l'll see ya at home.
What's with you? l'm sorry, boss, but that Cricket group is here.
Well, you take care of them. l'm busy. l'll see them tonight.
l think you'll want to see them now, Sol.
What do l want to see 'em for? They all look alike to me.
Nothin' personal, Luther. You know what l mean.
This time l know exactly what you mean.
Yes, sir, they does all look alike.
Hey, you fellas, come on in here for a minute.
Hello.
Oh, shit.
You don't mean to stand there and tell me you're white.
[ Chuckling ] What are you?
l'm Joe Schmuck. l'm the guy that booked you without seeing you first.
Thanks for hiring us, Mr. Schmuck.
What's the big deal about us bein' white?
l don't know, and l don't intend to be the first man in history to find out.
- W-What are you talking about? - No white act has ever played the Apollo!
Suppose somethin' happens. l'm sorry. l can't take the chance.
Well, then we'll just take our money and go.
What are you talking about? l'm not going to pay you without performing.
Your telegram didn't say nothin' about performing.
lt says, "Can you be in New York City for week of May 2 through 9? Stop.
We'll pay $1 ,000. Sol Gittler."
Now, we're going to be here for a week. [ Sighs ]
You have my word.
Mm-hmm.
Just what l need— a gun of Hopalong Cassidy.
Shall we get our instruments? Talk to Luther. He'll tell you what to do.
[ Snaps Fingers ] Yes, indeed.
Thank you, sir. l can see the headlines: "White Man Lynched ln Harlem."
[ Car Horns Honking ]
[ Knocking ] [ Man ] Crickets are on next.
What? We're on? Okay.
[ Men Laughing, Chattering ]
[ Man ] ♪ l know you thrill me ♪
♪ Darlin', you thrill me ♪
♪ Honest you do, honest you do honest you do ♪
♪ At first l thought it was infatuation ♪
♪ But, ooh, it lasted so long ♪
♪ Now l find myself wanting ♪
♪ To marry you and take you home Whoa ♪
♪ You send me ♪ ♪♪ [ Vocalizing ]
♪ l know you send me ♪
♪♪ [ Continues ] Remember,
the only reason l'm letting you go on is because l was schmuck enough...
to send you 500 bucks in advance.
Now, if anything happens, beat it. You understand?
Yeah, okay. ♪♪ [ Stops ]
[ Audience Applauding, Cheering ]
♪♪ [ Big Band ]
[ Applause Fades ]
♪♪ [ Continues ]
Hey, you got every right to be scared, Buddy. l saw your act in Texas.
No, l'm just kidding. They're going to love you. lt's a good audience.
Go out there and kill 'em. Okay. Thanks, Sam.
♪♪ [ Humming ] That was good.
Mr. Sam Cooke! All right! [ Audience Applauding ]
Now, l want to ask you people a question. Am l clean?
[ Audience Murmuring ln Agreement ] Am l clean?
l am as clean as a Safeway chitlin. All right.
So, what are we doin'? "Oh, Boy" and "Rave On"?
We're doing "Oh, Boy," "lt's So Easy" and "Rave On."
Ladies and gentlemen, right here tonight...
on the stage at the Apollo Theater,
you are about to witness a miracle.
[ Chuckling ] That's right. You are going to see...
an act that will knock you flat on your back.
- Are you ready? - [ Scattered Murmuring ]
Once again, l said, "Are you ready?" [ Audience Cheering ]
Are you ready? All right. Let's have a nice round of applause...
for Mr. Buddy Holly and the Crickets.
♪♪ [ Drums ]
[ Murmuring, Sparse Laughter ]
[ Murmuring Continues ] Well, we weren't expecting y'all either.
"Oh, Boy." One, two. A-one, two, three, four.
♪ All my life l've been a-waitin' ♪
♪ Tonight there'll be no hesitatin' ♪
♪ Oh, boy when you're with me ♪
♪ Oh, boy l want the world to see ♪
♪ That you were meant ♪
♪ For me ♪
♪ All my love All of my kissin' ♪
♪ You don't know what you've been a-missin' ♪
♪ Oh, boy when you're with me ♪
♪ Oh, boy l want the world to see ♪
♪ That you were meant ♪
♪ For me ♪
♪ Well, now stars appear and the shadows are fallin' ♪
♪ You can hear my heart a-callin' ♪
♪ A little bit of lovin' makes everything right ♪
♪ l'm gonna see my baby tonight ♪
♪ All of my love All of my kissin' ♪
♪ You don't know what you've been a-missin' ♪
♪ Oh, boy when you're with me ♪ ♪ Oh, boy ♪
♪ Oh, boy l want the world to see ♪ ♪ Oh, boy ♪
♪ That you were meant ♪
♪ For me ♪
Bo Diddley now!
♪ Well, now stars appear and the shadows are fallin' ♪
♪ You can hear my heart a-callin' ♪
♪ A little bit of love makes everything right ♪ ♪♪ [ Vocalizing ]
♪ l'm gonna see my baby tonight ♪
♪ All of my life l've been a-waitin' ♪
♪ Tonight there'll be no hesitatin' ♪
♪ Oh, boy when you're with me ♪ ♪ Oh, boy ♪
- ♪ Oh, boy l want the world to see ♪ - ♪ Oh, boy ♪
♪ That you were meant ♪
♪ For me ♪
Okay. [ With Ray Bob ] ♪ Dom, dom, dom Oh, boy ♪
♪ Dom, dom, dom Oh, boy ♪♪
♪♪ [ Stops ] [ Buddy ] Whoo!
♪♪ [ Drum Flourish ]
[ Cheering, Whistling ]
Thank you.
[ Applause, Cheering Continue ]
We're a little bit nervous.
We'd like to do one for you now, uh, called "lt's So Easy."
[ Scattered Shouts ] One, chee-chee, two, chee-chee.
One, two, three.
♪ lt's so easy to fall in love ♪
♪ People say that love's for fools ♪
♪ But here l go breakin' all of the rules ♪
- ♪ lt seems so easy ♪ - ♪ lt's so easy, it's so easy ♪
♪ lt's so easy ♪ ♪ So doggone easy ♪
♪ lt's so easy, it's so easy it's so easy ♪ ♪ lt seems so easy ♪
♪ lt's so easy, it's so easy it's so easy ♪
♪ Yet where you're concerned my heart has learned ♪ ♪♪ [ Vocalizing ]
♪ lt's so easy to fall in love ♪
Whoo!
[ Audience Whooping ]
♪ lt seems so easy ♪ Ha-ha! ♪ lt's so easy, it's so easy ♪
♪ lt's so easy ♪ ♪ So doggone easy ♪
♪ lt's so easy, it's so easy it's so easy ♪
- ♪ lt seems so easy ♪ - ♪ lt's so easy, it's so easy it's so easy ♪
♪ Yet where you're concerned my heart has learned ♪ ♪♪ [ Vocalizing ]
♪ lt's so easy to fall in love ♪
♪ lt's so easy to fall in love ♪♪
- [ Audience Cheering, Applauding ] - Thank you!
♪♪ [ Drum Flourish ] [ Whistling ]
Here's one for you to tap your feet to.
♪ Well, well, well the little things that you say and do ♪
♪ Make me want to be with you ♪
♪ Rave on lt's a crazy feeling ♪
♪ And l know it's got me reeling ♪
♪ When you say you love me ♪
♪ You just rave on ♪
♪ The way you dance and hold me tight ♪
♪ The way you kiss and say good night ♪
♪ Rave on lt's a crazy feeling ♪
♪ God knows it's got me reeling ♪
♪ When you say you love me ♪
♪ You just rave on ♪
♪ Well, well, rave on lt's a crazy feeling ♪ ♪ Rave on ♪
♪ And l know it's got me reeling ♪ ♪ l know ♪
♪ l'm so glad that you're revealing ♪ ♪ So glad ♪
♪ Your love for me ♪ ♪♪ [ Vocalizing ]
- ♪ Well, rave on Rave on and tell me ♪ - ♪ Rave on ♪
♪ Tell me not to be lonely ♪ ♪ Tell me ♪
♪ Show me you love me only ♪ ♪ Show me ♪ Come on! Come on!
♪ Rave on ♪
King Curtis, ladies and gentlemen!
♪ Well, the way you dance and hold me tight ♪
♪ The way you kiss and say good night ♪
♪ Rave on lt's a crazy feeling ♪
♪ And l know you got me reeling ♪ ♪ l know ♪
♪ When you say l love you ♪
♪ You just rave on ♪ ♪♪ [ Vocalizing ]
♪ Just rave on ♪
♪ Just rave on ♪♪
♪♪ [ Stops ]
[ Cheering, Whistling ]
[ Cheering Continues ] [ Announcer ] All right, all right!
All right! King— King Curtis!
King Curtis is the tall one. Thank you!
♪♪ [ Big Band ]
Whoo!
[ Cheering, Applause Continue ]
l can't figure it out. ls it wop-bop-a-loo-bop- a-wham-bam-boom?
No, it's wop-bop-a-loo-bop- a-lop-bam-boom.
Hey, youngblood. Lookin' good.
l heard Solly signed you up for the whole tour.
l couldn't bear the thought of you and my poker money leavin' town the same time.
Come on back here. l'll play you another hand for that suit you got on.
l want to give it to my brother. He's an undertaker.
[ Laughter ] [ Ray Bob ] That's funny!
Get your money out, Cooke.
[ Engine Starts ]
Here you are, gentlemen. 220 and 21 8.
Say, man, can we get some service over here?
You'll find those upstairs, down the hall, second floor.
Thank you.
♪♪ [ Humming ] Mr. Sam Cooke!
Glad to have you. Glad to have you.
Uh, Mr. Cooke, you know this is a restricted hotel?
You mean there are no rooms for my entourage?
Oh, yeah. We've got plenty of room out there for your car.
You can park anywhere out there.
No, no, my good man. Entourage.
You see, these three young men of the Caucasian persuasion,
why, they happen to be his personal valets.
They fulfill his every need.
So therefore, they must have rooms next to his.
Uh, Mr. Cooke, you mean to tell me you got three white valets?
That is correct. Excuse me, Mr. Cooke.
Will you be wantin' your bath immediately or after your rubdown? Not now, boy.
Mr. Cooke, l likes your style.
Come on. You can sign in right here, you and your entourage.
Y'all go on upstairs. l'll sign in. All right.
♪♪ [ Humming ]
[ Chattering ]
Ray Bob. Ray-Bob-a-loo-bob. Listen to this.
"As his hand moved slowly from the thigh...
to the secret place of wonderment,
all the resistance was abandoned.
The passion became overwhelming for both of them."
l mean, what is this? This girl is 1 5 years old,
and she's bangin' the wood shop teacher.
What is the world coming to? l'll tell you what it's coming to.
You get on your cologne; you get on your pants.
Let me take you out and get you a drink, and let's get some nooky.
- l'll buy that. - Well, in this town we're probably going to have to.
Not with these: Wonder Glasses. [ Snickering ]
- We're in a lot of trouble. - Put 'em on. Let's see what they look like.
They should stand out.
Ready for the new Buddy Holly?
Wait a minute. Don't be so quick to judge. What do you think?
l think they look like binoculars.
Well, l like 'em.
♪ Words of love ♪
♪ You whisper soft and true ♪
♪ Darling, l love you ♪
♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪
♪ Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa ♪
♪♪ [ Stops ] l think that was a keeper, Buddy.
Uh, that was half of one. Why don't you rewind it and let me play with myself?
Kid's been in New York two weeks. Already, he's a degenerate.
A man has to have a hobby, Samuel.
No, l mean, uh, you got two tape machines in there.
Put that tape on one, feed it through another...
with my guitar and my vocal live without any echo.
Where did you learn about overdubbing?
Same as you. Old Les Paul. [ Ray Bob ] Buddy, you don't need me, do you?
Why don't you stand here behind me, and just hold my hand while l do this?
You need moral support? Yeah. That was nice on those bongos.
Great idea, Buddy, but we'd better make a safety copy of this first tape.
We can get it in one. Just run it down to me. l'll show you.
Okay. Overdub, take-
Well, it's the only take.
[ Buddy ] l can't hear it. On one.
♪♪ [ Singing With Tape ] ♪ Words of love ♪
♪ You whisper soft and true ♪
♪ Darlin', l love you ♪
♪ Oh-ho-ho ♪
♪ Hold me close and ♪
♪ Tell me how you feel ♪
[ Tape ] ♪ Tell me love is real ♪ ♪♪ [ Mumbling ]
Sorry.
♪♪ [ Tape Stops ] Sorry, l lost my place.
Will you please get the hell out of here?
[ Ray Bob Mimicking Buddy ] "Don't worry, Sam, we don't need a safety copy."
[ Sam ] One-take Holly.
[ Amp Crackling, Static ] Let's have a hand for the Lubbock Flash.
[ Laughing ]
l didn't like the feel on that anyway. [ Sam ] Hurry back.
Boo! Oh, you scared me half to death.
Where are you going? l'm working.
Have you been getting anything special in the mail lately?
Yes, and l don't mean to be rude, Buddy,
but l just don't want to encourage you.
Why not? There's no point in going into it.
Take my word. l think you're very sweet, and thank you for the roses.
But now you're about to ask me out, and l don't- l just can't go out with you.
Wait. Just wait a minute. Let me explain one thing.
l have never ever chased after a girl before in my life.
And it feels funny to me. lf you're not going to go out with me, l want to know why.
- You do like me, don't you? - Yeah. l'm fond of you.
Well, then, what's the holdup?
- My aunt. - Your aunt? Mrs. Santiago in the publishing depart-
- She doesn't even know me. - That doesn't matter. You are a musician,
and under no circumstances am l allowed to go out with a musician.
Hmm. Let me go talk to her. l'm sorry.
l'll put on— l'll put on a coat and tie. lt won't do any good.
That's not her only objection, Buddy, and you know it.
[ Woman Gasps ]
[ Whispering ] Shit.
What is the other objection? Look.
l'm Puerto Rican,
and you're— you're not.
Well, l'll change my name to Chihuahua Garbanzo. [ Chuckling ]
My aunt is very conscious of these things.
Are you kidding me with this stuff about your aunt?
You're not kidding? No.
Maria, l just went through this...
with people who said that a white act couldn't play with a colored tour.
We got along fine. We're still getting along. l don't even know where Puerto Rico is.
[ Woman Over P.A. ] Buddy Holly to Studio "A", please.
l've got to go back there. We'll continue this later, okay?
♪♪ [ Buddy Singing On Recording, lndistinct ]
♪ Listen to me Listen closely to me ♪♪
♪♪ [ Stops ] Yes!
That's wonderful. Just great. Buddy, it's terrific.
Keep up the good work. Nothing to worry about. lt's in.
[ Man ] lt's a hit.
Buddy, you got yourself another smash. lt's a hit. Thanks, Sam.
Thank you, guys. That's good.
What's the matter with you? [ Groaning ]
Come on, Buddy. What is it? You can tell us.
lt's Maria. Are you kidding?
l thought you had that one made in the shade. No. lt's her aunt.
Her aunt threw me off course a little. Her aunt forbids her to go out with any musician.
- Can you believe that? - That is the funniest thing l've ever heard.
ls that what's bugging you? Jesus. Thanksgiving's right around the corner.
You can get all the dark meat you want! [ Guffaws ]
Jesse, you ever say anything like that again, l'll kill you!
Buddy! Hold it! l'll kill you!
lt was just a bad joke. He was only kiddin', Buddy.
Aw, come on.
Sh— What the hell was that?
That was a goddamn stupid thing to say.
Yeah. Well, l— God, he's getting so temperamental!
[ Sighs ]
Yes? Mrs. Santiago, my name is Charles Hardin.
l work with Coral Records, and we have mutual friends in the record business.
l wondered if l could talk to you if you have a moment to spare?
Yes, l suppose so. Won't you come in?
Yes, ma'am. Thank you.
So, can l be of some help with some business affairs?
Well, not exactly.
lt'd probably be better if l explained my situation first.
That'd be okay?
[ Sighs ] l'm employed at the executive offices...
at Coral Records, where l have a publishing concern,
and through my meetings at the offices l have met your niece Maria Elena.
And to be honest, l've come to ask to see her socially.
l see.
Does Maria know that you are here?
Uh, no, ma'am.
[ Chuckles Nervously ]
[ Train Passing ]
Thank you, ma'am.
Well, Mr., uh, Hardin? Yes, ma'am.
l must say, very few young men today have the courtesy that you display.
Some people might think getting permission to court...
is very old-fashioned.
[ Sighs ] Well, l've never done it before,
but, uh, l've never met anyone quite like Maria either.
[ Chuckles ] There's no one like Maria.
And l must say, you do seem like a fine young man.
[ Clicks Tongue ] Very rare in the music business these days, you know.
Yes, ma'am, and that's the main reason l came was to let you know...
what my intentions are with Maria.
That they're good intentions.
[ Whispers ] Okay.
l'm very glad we have this talk.
Well, so am l, Miss Santiago.
Maria has talked about you a lot,
and l'm really glad that l took the opportunity to meet you.
And the only thing l hope is that l haven't been too bold in the process.
Oh, no. The important thing...
is that you think enough of my Maria to have gone to this effort.
She would like to see you sometime, it would be fine with me.
That's great. That really makes me happy. l'm going to tell her right now.
To tell you the truth, l got a big kick out of the whole thing myself.
And, uh, Buddy?
You were very good in American Bandstand.
♪♪ [ Movie Soundtrack ] [ Maria Chuckles ]
l would have given anything to see the look on my aunt's face...
when you asked her if you could take me out.
What lies did you tell? No lies. l told her my name was Charles Hardin,
which it is, and everything l told your aunt had the ring of truth in it.
Well, she still thinks you're crazy, but harmless.
Well, l am crazy, but not harmless.
She can't believe l want to go out with you. l can't either.
[ Both Chuckle ] [ Man ] Shh.
[ All Laughing ]
lt will never last. Huh? What won't?
Look around. This looks like a convention for seeing eye dogs.
This 3-D is just a flash in the pan, l predict.
Well, my aunt says our dating won't last. She's right.
What? Hey, fella! You going to watch the movie or what?
l think l'll "what."
Would you like to "what" with me? Let's go "whatting."
Excuse me, cowboy.
[ Birds Cooing ]
Thank you.
Hold this.
This is special, huh? This is real special.
Well— l only do this on special occasions.
Don't do this too much. You're littering my rooftop.
l figured out why they call this Tar Beach. [ Cork Pops ]
Oh, yeah? 'Cause all the tar is on the other side of the roof.
lt's the only place you can get a tan in the summer, you know?
To Maria Elena Holly.
Okay.
Where were we just before Tar Beach? Ohh.
Hmm? Where were we?
You were going to Maryland to get married.
And you?
l wasn't going to Maryland. How am l going to get married without you?
We're going to have enough problems with our families without eloping.
We won't have any problems with any families. l'll take care of all that.
Everything will be fine. lt's not that simple.
My folks will love you.
l don't know. Yes, they will.
lf l do, they will. And l'm not marrying your aunt.
l'm Catholic.
l'm a Texan. [ Chuckles ]
For our honeymoon, l will take you to Acapulco.
Okay. Acapulco.
lt's a deal? A deal.
Well, all right.
[ All Screaming ]
♪♪ [ Buddy, Band Play, lndistinct ]
♪♪ [ Stops ] [ Audience Cheering, Screaming ]
Thank you!
[ Band Members Whooping, Congratulating ] Are you Eddie Cochran?
[ Audience ] We want Buddy! Buddy Holly's got great potential, doesn't he?
[ Audience Continues Chanting ] Buddy's got to go right now. No, Buddy had to leave.
l'd like to take this opportunity to tell you about my personal life.
We want Buddy! We want Buddy! My name is Lenny Lawrence, and l'm your master of ceremonies.
We want Buddy! And Buddy's gone. We have to move on with the show.
Right now we'd like to welcome Eddie Cochran. Let's hear it-
Let's hear it for Eddie Cochran. Come on.
Here he is! Ladies and gentlemen, Eddie Cochran!
l'll go this way. Go ahead. Hit it, guys. We want Buddy!
Buddy, come on. Come on, Buddy. We want Buddy! We want Buddy!
We want Buddy! Let's bring Buddy out here. Come on. Buddy Holly.
[ All Cheering ]
[ Cheering Continues ]
Let's do that one by Jerry Lee, "A Whole Lotta Shakin'." [ Continues, lndistinct ]
♪ Well, come along, baby Whole lot of shakin' goin' on ♪
♪ Come along, baby Whole lot of shakin' goin' on ♪
♪ l ain't fakin' Whole lot of shakin' goin' on ♪
- [ Drummer ] Yeah! - ♪ Shake it, baby Shake it ♪
♪ Shake it, baby Shake it ♪ Aah!
♪ Shake it, baby Shake it ♪
♪ l can't fake it Whole lot of shakin' goin' on ♪
Eddie Cochran!
♪♪ [ Piano ]
♪ Well, come along, baby ♪
♪ Ain't we got the bull by the horn, What horn My horn, that's the horn ♪
♪ Come on, baby Ain't we got the bull by the horn ♪
♪ What horn My horn, that's the horn ♪
♪ l ain't fakin' Whole lot of shakin' goin' on ♪
♪ Shake it, baby Shake it ♪ [ Cochran ] Watch out.
♪ Shake it, baby Shake it ♪
♪ l ain't fakin' Whole lot of shakin' goin' on ♪
♪ Shake it, baby Shake it ♪
♪ Shake, shake, shake ♪
♪ l can't fake it ♪ ♪ Oh ♪♪
♪ Whole lot of shakin' goin' on ♪♪
[ All Cheering ]
♪♪ [ Stops ] [ Announcer ] Buddy Holly!
Eddie Cochran! Buddy Holly!
[ Cheering Continues ]
[ Announcer Continues, lndistinct ]
Yes, sir. My man. This car is you. Think so?
Ever since we were kids, you've been saying you were going to get a new Caddie before 21 .
You almost made it, old man. Well, fellas, l hate to break up your fun.
But l got a manager in the back, and he'd like to know...
if you're going to purchase this car or just sit this one out?
Why don't you tell your manager we're going to think about it, and we'll purchase with cash.
Cash? l'll be right back. Yeah.
The dipshit. You tell him, Elvis.
He didn't know the Sultan of Lubbock?
My God. "Sultan of Lubbock"?
Look at this. lt's got an altimeter or something.
That airplane thing. lmagine that guy not knowing the Lubbock sultan, huh?
This is like an airplane. We got to get this car to go to the gigs.
Buddy, speaking of Lubbock, why don't you get the car there?
- That way we won't have to drive it home. - Lubbock?
We ain't going to go back to Lubbock. The music business is here.
Well, Jesse and l have no intention of living in New York City.
l don't know about you, but l'm looking forward to getting back to Lubbock soon as possible.
Do you feel that way?
Lubbock ain't goin' nowhere. This is the music business here.
We got to have some talks about where we're going to work from.
[ Exhales ] We can't go back to Lubbock now, you guys.
l don't see why not. Because we have commitments.
We got American Bandstand to do. Ross right now is negotiating...
to the Sullivan people for the holiday show as a featured act.
l'll tell you what. You spend your holidays here, 'cause l'm goin' home.
- You can't. - Aw, Bullshit, Holly, Buddy Holly!
You're the big star of the Crickets. What are we?
Why don't you just go on alone?
God.
What's the matter with him? Why is he actin' like this?
You don't know? Tell me.
Look, maybe you could get us some other dates on Sullivan? What's the matter with Jesse?
Just get us some different dates. How much money do we need?
Ray Bob, it's not the money.
lt's what we've been working on since Lubbock, since the garage.
You can't change the date, 'cause it's a holiday show. lt's Christmastime.
lt's geared for the younger audiences.
What's the matter with you guys? You're acting like old women.
l thought you'd be thrilled about this. This is national television.
Shit.
Yeah, l guess we should be thrilled.
l'll talk to Jesse about it, and l guess we'll do the show.
But Buddy, after this, let's take a breather.
Oh, shit.
[ Chattering ]
What's the holdup? We're an hour off schedule.
lt's now two hours. lt's that Holly kid.
- Now he's got us settin' up four mikes. - [ lnaudible ]
♪♪ [ Humming ] D, A, D, A. One and two and three and four.
[ lnaudible ] Hey, hey, hey!
We have to finish rehearsing. That's a wrap. l have other acts that have to rehearse.
l'm sorry. That's it. When are we going to get to finish rehearsing?
lf we don't fall further behind, we just might have one dress rehearsal before we air.
Okay, let's strike the set!
Where are the bears? Where are the Polish bears?
Will one of you guys bring in the bear cages?
l want to see the juggler, the acrobats and the magician.
♪♪ [ Soft, Distant ]
[ Audience Applauds ]
♪♪ [ Strumming Guitar ]
[ Door Opens ] [ Jesse ] She said 44-D. l thought-
Well, all right. [ Ray Bob ] Hey, rock 'n' roll!
How do l look? You look wonderful. l don't mind if l do.
Where you been? We had a chance to rehearse again.
God, brother. Will you leave the music alone? lt sounds great.
Well, we just had a chance to rehearse. That's all.
[ Chuckles ] ♪♪ [ Continues ]
- You're drunk. - l'll probably just play better.
Don't you ever relax?
[ lnhales ] l am relaxed.
Well, l'm so relaxed l met a chorus girl a while ago. Listen, why don't you—
- Don't fool with me. [ Grunts ] - Jesse, why don't you get dressed?
- Hey, y'all, cut it out! - Ahh.
[ Cries Out ]
Jesus! You all right?
Oh, shit. Bull's-eye.
[ Knocking ] [ Man ] Ten minutes, boys.
[ Ray Bob ] What are we going to do? Why don't you go get me some gum?
lt's just these caps.
[ Ed Sullivan ] And now, for all you youngsters, Buddy Holly and the Crickets!
[ Audience Applauds, Cheers ]
♪ Maybe, baby l'll be true ♪
♪ Maybe, baby l'll have you ♪
♪ Maybe, baby you'll love me someday ♪
♪ lt's funny, honey You don't care ♪
♪ You never listen to my prayer ♪
♪ Maybe, baby you'll have me someday ♪ ♪ Someday ♪
♪♪ [ Continues Singing ] Video, check level on three.
His teeth look funny. Prevue camera three.
Three, give me a close-up.
♪ Maybe, baby l'll have you ♪
- ♪ Maybe, baby you'll be true ♪ - ♪♪ [ Vocalizing ]
♪ Maybe, baby ♪ ♪ Maybe, baby You'll have me someday ♪
♪ Someday ♪
♪♪ [ Buddy And Ray Bob Scatting ]
♪ Well, you are the one that makes me sad ♪
♪ You are the one that makes me glad ♪
♪ You're the one ♪ ♪ When someday l'll want you ♪
♪ And there you'll be Wait and see ♪
♪ Hey, hey, maybe, baby l'll have you ♪ [ Shouts ]
♪ Maybe, baby you'll be true ♪
♪ Maybe, baby you'll have me someday ♪
♪ Someday ♪
♪ Maybe, baby l'll have you someday ♪
♪ Someday ♪♪
- ♪♪ [ Stops ] - [ Sullivan ] Thank you, Texas boy!
[ Audience Applauds ] Thank you, America.
[ Sullivan ] Right now, on our stage from Poland, the Kolo Dancing Bears!
[ Audience Applauds ] ♪♪ [ Piano ]
[ Audience Applauds ]
l'm going on back up to the hotel and change.
See you.
[ Thunderclap ]
[ Moaning, Chuckling ]
Yo te quiero. [ Sighs ]
[ Grunts ]
Did you hear me? No.
l said, "Te quiero. "
"Te quiero"?
[ Speaking Spanish ]
What does that mean?
l said, "l love you because you have true love ways."
"True love ways." That's really pretty.
When are you going to put the bed in the bedroom?
l don't know. l kind of like this. Don't you?
[ Chuckles ] The neighbors. [ Grunts ]
[ Maria Laughs ] They'll never see us.
l love you.
l love you, Maria.
[ Sighs ] Well, all right.
What do you think? lt's great. What do you think of this? "Buddy Holly"?
l love that. l just hope it does as well as the last one.
What do you mean? l want to speak to you about this letter.
l want to know if you fully understand that with this letter to your—
Thank you, Judith— with this letter to your lawyer,
you give away the full rights to the name "the Crickets."
Yeah. l know that. Buddy, the public has a very short memory.
They forget in 20 minutes. Believe me on this. Without the Crickets on that label,
you could be throwing away your whole livelihood.
[ Sighs ]
When the guys went back to Lubbock, we decided they'd take the name "The Crickets."
And we all gave our word on it. That's it.
lt's not too late. We could reprint the label.
No. Uh-uh. lt's over and done with. They got it, and that's it.
All right. l guess we can keep the momentum going by doing promotion...
and footwork on the record in all the major markets,
and we'll try to get all the TV exposure we can.
That's great. And l want you to go out on tour.
Well, now, wait a minute.
l've been on tour a lot, and l'd just kind of like to stay around the house.
Stay around the house?
What are you going to do? Walk your dog and mow your hallway?
[ Chuckles ] No. Hell, l don't have a dog.
l'm not going to do that. l just want to spend some time with the old lady.
Take her on the road with you. Oh, no. No. Can't take her on the road.
That's crazy. l'd rather do TV, do some—
l don't know, some other kind of promotion rather than playing.
l want to produce. Let's get in the studio and make some hits.
♪♪ [ Jazzy lnstrumental ]
Excuse me. Mr. Holly? Yeah.
Yeah, l believe l was contracted to play some violin.
That's right. As soon as l finish this rhythm track,
l want to put some strings under the vocal.
Oh, here are your charts.
Ohh. Uh, myself and Mr. Schwartz...
have played in some of the finest orchestras in the world,
and l don't know if we can play that kind of music.
Uh, will the violins go with rock 'n' roll?
[ Both Chuckle ]
Well, l don't know. Why don't we give it a try? The scale's the same.
What do you say?
[ Mumbling ] Buddy, l hate to come in here and sing that same old song,
but we're spending a fortune on this album and you've got to give us some help promoting it.
Granted, you've done great things producing other acts for us, and l really appreciate it-
Okay, Ross— Ross, Ross. But we're in a recession now, and—
Hold it a minute. Let me finish this mixing, and we can talk tomorrow.
Okay. This is important. l want to get it straight. When and where?
l know it is important, and we'll do it tomorrow at lunch at my place.
l'll have Maria do somethin'. Okay. What time?
2:00. Lunch, 2:00 tomorrow.
l'm looking forward to it. See you then. We'll fix it. l promise.
You know something, young man? Young man, this is very clever.
Where you have the strings playing a pizzicato...
just to make it sound like the raindrops.
Do you know something? Beethoven did the very same thing in one of his pieces, yes, he did.
Beethoven himself did it in his pieces, yes. l didn't know that.
Yes, he did. Of course, he was very deaf at the time he did it.
[ Chuckles ]
ls he serious? Beethoven?
Think the fiddle players been smokin' their bows.
Would you run that back for me? l want to do it again, have another shot at it.
Okay. Let's hear it. [ Tape Rewinding ]
[ Grunts ]
Mmm. Super.
Mmm. Absolutely delicious. What do you call that?
Tuna fish. Oh.
Well, it was terrific. You know something?
You're a better cook than you were a secretary; not that you weren't a good secretary.
That's okay, Mr. Turner. You're a better eater than you were a boss.
Ah. Did you talk like this to him when he was your boss?
Are you kidding? She used to boss me around. And Maria, do me a favor.
Don't call me Mr. Turner. Will you do me a favor? Call me Mrs. Holly.
You want some coffee, Ross? l'd love some, Mrs. Holly.
Thank you, Maria.
Here's my plate. Thank you.
Buddy, l just don't know how to say this anymore—
but for some reason— who knows why-
an act has got to go out on the road to promote a record.
Otherwise, it just doesn't sell, no matter how good it is.
My records are selling.
Overseas, maybe. But not so much here. l got three records on the charts.
Nothing in the top ten. With your help, you could've pushed 'em to number one.
You make the best records in the business, but if the public doesn't hear your music,
why bother recording?
What kind of tour did you have in mind?
There's only one tour left in the season.
lt starts next month, and it covers every major city in the Midwest on a five-week run.
That's a winter tour.
- l don't think so. l think l'll have wait till spring. - lt's only five weeks.
What are you looking at me that way for?
Because she knows l'm right.
[ Groans ] Boy, this record business. l got it all around me.
Well, l don't want to go on this tour, and right or wrong, l ain't goin'.
[ Gears Ratcheting ]
Maria! Maria, what are you doing? [ Speaking Spanish ]
l can't understand you. What are you doing?
Just hold it a minute. Let me finish this work. Please?
Thank you.
What time is it? 6:30.
God, l feel like l've been doing this for three weeks.
[ Knocking ]
That's all l need if this is Ross Turner.
Mr. Holly? Yes, sir?
He broke my new guitar. Will you fix it?
Well, come on in. Come on in. Shut this door here.
Come over here with me. Let's sit down, and l shall fix it.
This looks like a Christmas present. lt is.
[ Plucking Chords ] Ooh.
Did you break this guy's guitar? l did not. He's a liar.
You did so.
Well, l think it's just out of tune a little bit.
l tune it up. lt'll be good as new.
Here you go. Good as new. See?
- Why don't you play me one of your hits? - l just got it.
Do you know any chords? No.
l'll teach you some. You want to learn some? Let's learn the "E" chord.
l'll show you one of the first songs l ever "writ" with the "E" chord.
♪♪ [ Strums Melody ] ♪ Well, all right so l'm being foolish ♪
♪ Well, all right so the people know ♪
♪ About the dreams and wishes you wish ♪
♪ ln the night when the lights are low ♪ That's an "E."
♪ Well, all right ♪ That's an "A." ♪ Well, all right ♪
That's a "B." ♪ We're going to live— ♪ And "D'-
♪ With all our might Well, all right ♪ Back to "A."
♪ And all right ♪ "B."
♪ We're going to love Jerry Jack with all of our might ♪♪
Whoo, yeah!
♪♪ [ Stops ]
Hey! That's all you need to know is four chords.
l got a band here, a three-piece band. Let's do another one.
Want some popcorn? No, we got to go and eat dinner.
Oh, yeah? Bye. Bye.
Okay. Bye.
Say "hello" to your mom. [ Boy ] Okay.
Bye.
[ Door Closes ]
♪ All right so l'm being foolish ♪
Just about had me a trio again.
Except they was a little short.
How are you feeling? How is that baby doing down under there?
Buddy? What?
You know, l don't care if you never go back on the road,
but l don't want to see you making yourself miserable.
What do you mean? You know what l mean.
[ Groans ] l'm talking about this game you're playing.
l don't want to talk about that anymore.
Okay.
♪♪ [ Strums Melody ]
[ Groans ]
Buddy, l'm your wife. Why don't you talk to me?
l'm scared. You're scared? Of what?
About going out on the road without the Crickets. l've played with them all my life.
l grew up playing with them. l wrote my first songs with them, the hits.
l don't mind bombing with them, but l can't stand the thought of falling on my ass without them.
l know how much you miss them, but you don't need them for your music.
Where would you be today, right now,
if you'd let your fears stop you?
Come here. Ohh.
Probably shoveling shit back in Lubbock.
[ Buddy ] While l'm gone, don't forget to walk the dog and mow the hallway.
[ Maria ] What? Or maybe we could get a goat or something.
Oh, sure. Wait here and let me put this guitar up.
Hey, Dion, take this for me. l'll be right there.
l'm going to miss you. l'm going to miss you too.
Sounds like a song.
Will you still love me when l'm fat?
Yeah. Why shouldn't l?
Ohh, you're not going to see this change,
and you're going to be shocked in two months.
Well, l probably will.
[ Horn Honking ]
Walk me to the bus. Come on.
l know what to do, though. You send me a picture of yourself every day, naked.
[ Laughs ] Like just out of the shower or something.
And then l'll get used to you and him. Her.
Come here.
Take care of yourself, Mama. Buena suerte.
Yo! Y'all ready to rock? Rock 'n' roll! You know what l like!
Hello. Come here. Give me a kiss.
Listen. Send me those pictures. l'll sell them to the guys on the bus.
We'll make a bunch of money to send him through college.
[ Giggles ] l love you.
[ lmitating Ringing Telephone ]
Hello, baby! ♪♪ [ Band Strikes Up ]
Yeah, this is the Big Bopper speakin'.
Aw, you sweet "thang"!
Will l what?
Do l what?
Oh, honey, you know what l like!
♪ Chantilly lace and a pretty face ♪
♪ And a ponytail a-hangin' down ♪
♪ A wiggle in the walk and a giggle in the talk ♪
♪ Lord, makes the world go 'round ♪
♪ There ain't nothin' in this world like a big-eyed girl ♪
♪ Makes me act so funny makes me spend my money ♪
♪ Makes me feel real loose like a long-necked goose ♪
♪ Like a girl Oh, baby that's a-what l like ♪
[ Big Bopper ] What's that, honey? [ Coin Drops ]
But-
But- But-
Hello, operator? l want to make a long-distance call to New York City.
[ Rings ]
Hello? Maria!
Buddy! How are you doing?
- What's all that noise? - lt's rock 'n' roll. We just got here.
Our bus broke down, so we're going to have to rent a plane tonight.
How are you feeling? l'm fine.
We're both fine. She kicked me this morning.
She kicked you? Yeah.
My aunt came over and made lunch, and she told me to say "hello."
What's she up to? She's taking good care of me.
Oh. Tell her "hello" too.
♪ Oh, baby that's a-what l like ♪♪
Baby l got to go. Yeah, l got to go.
[ Applause ] l'll call you tomorrow. l love you. Bye.
[ Knocking ]
Ohh. l don't believe it! Oh, God!
Well, we were in the neighborhood anyway. Oh, goodness.
Hi, Maria. Jesse, oh. Oh, thank you.
God. Come on in.
l— You just missed Buddy's call.
Aw, damn it! You don't know how much he misses the two of you.
Well, we got a pretty good idea, but it's good to hear.
Yeah. Well, l guess that's all we have to know.
All you have to know for what? We were going to fly to lowa and surprise Buddy.
But then we thought maybe he didn't want to get back together.
So we thought we'd better come up here and check it out with you.
l don't think there's anything in the world he'd want more than to have you guys back.
[ Both ] Well, all right! Where does the show go next?
Hand me my book. Let me check.
Let's see. Clearlake tonight.
Tomorrow night, it's M-M-Moorhead, Minnesota, 8:00.
That's it. We're going to be there with bells on.
Can you imagine the look on that hotshot's face when he comes out on stage,
and we're standing there cool and calm as could be?
- He's going to be thrilled! - Thrilled? He'll shit!
And right now, l'd like to introduce myself to you.
l'm J.P. Richardson. l'm a disc jockey from Beaumont, Texas.
And l'd like to introduce you to a fellow Texan, a good friend of mine...
and a good friend of yours, Mr. Buddy Holly!
[ Crowd Cheering, Applauding ] Thank you, J.P. Appreciate it.
Hello. How you doin'?
Oh, man, l feel pretty good. l just talked to my wife.
Let's do "True Love Ways" first, "True Love Ways."
Thank you very much. lt's good to be in Clearlake, lowa.
[ Applause, Cheering ] lt's pretty cold up here, though.
Oh-ho. l haven't done this in a while. l'm a little nervous,
so l'm going to play the hardest thing l know for someone real special.
Here we go. "True Love Ways." One, two, three, four.
♪ Just you know why ♪
♪ Why you and l ♪
♪ Will by and by ♪
♪ Know true love ways ♪
♪ Sometimes we'll sigh ♪
♪ Sometimes we'll cry ♪
♪ And we'll know why just you and l ♪
♪ Know true love ways ♪
♪ Throughout the day ♪
♪ Our true love ways ♪
♪ Will bring us joy to share ♪
♪ With those who really care ♪
♪ Sometimes we'll sigh ♪
♪ Sometimes we'll cry ♪
♪ And we'll know why ♪
♪ Just you and l ♪
♪ Know true love ways ♪
Over here. Play one. King Curtis, everyone.
[ Audience Cheers, Applauds ]
♪ Throughout the day ♪
♪ Our true love ways ♪
♪ Will bring us joys to share ♪
♪ With those who really care ♪
♪ Sometimes we'll sigh ♪
♪ Sometimes we'll cry ♪
♪ And we'll know why just you and l ♪
♪ Know true love ways ♪♪
♪♪ [ Stops ] [ Audience Applauds, Cheers ]
Whoo!
Gave my heartbeat a little skip, y'all.
l like it too. Thank you.
Now, get ready. We're going to play some rock 'n' roll.
[ All Cheering ]
Here we go!
One, two— One, two, three, four!
♪ Well, that'll be the day when you say good-bye ♪
♪ That'll be the day when you make me cry ♪
♪ You say you're going to leave You know it's a lie ♪
♪ 'Cause that'll be the day when l die ♪
♪ Well, when Cupid shot his dart he shot it at your heart ♪
♪ So if we ever part then l'll feel blue ♪
♪ Yeah, that you love me, baby Yeah, that you tell me maybe ♪
♪ That's someday when l'll need you ♪
♪ Oh, that'll be the day when you say good-bye ♪
♪ That'll be the day when you make me cry ♪
♪ You say you're going to leave You know it's a lie ♪
♪ 'Cause that'll be the day when l die ♪
♪ Well, that'll be the day ♪
Whoo-hoo! ♪ That'll be the day ♪
Whoo-hoo! ♪ That'll be the day ♪♪
Come on! ♪ All of my life l've been waitin' ♪
♪ Tonight there'll be no hesitatin' ♪
♪ Oh, boy when l'm with you ♪
♪ Oh, boy l want the world to know ♪
♪ That you were meant for me ♪
♪ Well, now, stars appear and the shadows are fallin' ♪
♪ You can hear my heart a-callin' ♪
♪ A little bit of lovin' makes everything right ♪
♪ l'm going to see my baby tonight ♪
♪ All of my love All of my kissin' ♪
♪ You don't know what you've been missin' ♪
♪ Oh, boy when you're with me ♪
♪ Oh, boy l want the world to see ♪
♪ That you were meant for me ♪
♪ That you were meant for me ♪♪
♪ lf you knew Peggy Sue ♪
♪ Then you'd know why l feel blue ♪
♪ About Peggy ♪
♪ My Peggy Sue Hey, hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo ♪
♪ Well, l love you, gal and l want you, Peggy Sue ♪
♪ Peggy Sue, Peggy Sue ♪
♪ Pretty, pretty, pretty pretty Peggy Sue ♪
♪ Oh, Peggy my Peggy Sue ♪
♪ Hey, hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo Well, l love you, gal ♪
♪ And l want you Peggy Sue ♪
♪ Well, l love you, gal and l want you, Peggy Sue ♪♪
♪ Maybe, baby l'll have you ♪
♪ Maybe, baby you'll love me someday ♪
♪ You are the one that makes me glad ♪
♪ Every other one makes me sad ♪
♪ When someday l want you ♪
♪ And you'll be there wait and see ♪
♪ Maybe, baby l'll have you ♪
♪ Maybe, baby you'll be true ♪
♪ Maybe, baby l'll have you someday ♪
♪ Maybe, baby l'll have you someday ♪♪
[ All Cheering ]
♪ l'm going to show you how it's a-gonna be ♪
Aha!
♪ Hey, you're going to give a-your love a-to me ♪
♪ Hell, l'm going to love you both night and day ♪
♪ And the love's for real not fade away ♪
Come on! ♪ My love's for real and not fade away ♪
♪ My love's bigger than a Cadillac ♪
♪ Well, l try to show you and you drive a-me back ♪
♪ Well, my love for you has got to be real ♪
♪ You didn't know just how l feel ♪
♪ And my love's for real and not fade away ♪
♪ My love, my love, my love ♪
♪ My love will not fade away ♪♪
Hey, Big Bopper!
How about Ritchie Valens? Come on. Help me, son.
Whoo!
Oh, thank you, Clearlake! Whoo!
Come on! We love you! We'll see you next year!
[ Cheers, Applause Fade ]