I had the pleasure of being the Fender Musical Instruments district sales manager based in Texas from 1980 through 2007. One of the highlights of that career was meeting Maria Elena Holly to present her with one of the first 1957 reissues of the sunburst Stratocaster like the one that her late husband immortalized. Maria was a very gracious lady who lived not far from where I lived in the Dallas area. She invited my wife and me to a soiree that she hosted to commemorate an event in Buddy's life and short-lived career. I thought that I had lost this photo until I found it this morning. We stayed in touch for several years after this event.

Fender was manufacturing Rogers drums in California for the first several years of my career with the company.

What an amazing story and photo, sir! I am old enough to appreciate everything Mr. Holly did! When I was about twelve, I remember popping into the local music store to buy Elvis's newest record. It was sold out, but the salesman recommended something by a guy he thought I might enjoy. Yep, it was Buddy Holly! I sure did enjoy the album! Wish I could find it now!!!
Brian

Wow, that is incredibly cool! Great photo as well!

Very nice, Howie.

Amazing memories come back with that picture. What a place in music history Buddy Holly commands... Great picture to have indeed.
My first band was formed by a few teenagers hooked on Buddy Holly albums .. we would sit around a record player singing along with the LP's for hours on end... Later we bought guitars, bass & my first kit. we named "The Heartbeats" and that was how I got into music. We covered lots of Holly, Presley, and Shadows instrumentals until we logged into the Mersey thing. (Maria Elena was one of our instrumentals).

Cheers
John

Thanks for sharing this amazing story.

Maria is still with us at age 89. Buddy's music still sounds so fresh even to this day. It was recorded so well.

Originally Posted by salty 1322

What an amazing story and photo, sir! I am old enough to appreciate everything Mr. Holly did! When I was about twelve, I remember popping into the local music store to buy Elvis's newest record. It was sold out, but the salesman recommended something by a guy he thought I might enjoy. Yep, it was Buddy Holly! I sure did enjoy the album! Wish I could find it now!!!
Brian

Buddy released only 2 or 3 (?) albums while alive so ... I'm sure it's on eBay. I have one of them I believe.

Originally Posted by larryz

Buddy released only 2 or 3 (?) albums while alive so ... I'm sure it's on eBay. I have one of them I believe.

Thanks, larryz!
I can see the jacket now. Buddy's face taking up the entire album cover! I will definitely do some searching! My sister, who has a tendency to "borrow" my old albums might even have it! Thanks very much!
Brian

I live in Iowa and have taken several trips to the North to visit the ballroom and crash site. It is an eerie place and when you walk the fence line out to the site the emotions are great. The small memorial is there but the strangest thing is the silence... When you are out there it is so quiet.
Buddy was an icon that will forever remain a solid foundation for any rock musician- his unique style and innovation started changes in music he would have wanted to witness- Gone too soon-

My band played that ballroom about five years after the ill-fated event that featured the last performances by Buddy, Ritchie, and J.P. Richardson. The backstage area felt spooky.