MusicRadar

A rock ‘n’ roll pioneer and musical innovator, Holly’s rhythmic guitar style owes much to the fact that he grew up playing a banjo, evinced on galloping anthems like Not Fade Away and Peggy Sue.

But he was a master at sweet, minimalist leads, too, such as the one heard on Words Of Love.

Conventional in appearance, he made his mark with the then way-out-looking Stratocaster. His first record featured a mid-‘50s Strat (seen here), bought with money borrowed from his brother Larry. It was stolen on tour in 1957.

His last Strat, a ’58 three-tone sunburst, played but an hour before he died, is currently on display at The Buddy Holly Center.

Next page: Hank Marvin