Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Today’s song was released in January 1959. A month later on February 3, 1959 the singer was killed in a plane crash at the age of 22. Charles Hardin “Buddy” Holley was born on September 7, 1936 making today his 85th birth anniversary.

The Prince of Rock & Roll from Lubbock, TX left behind a legacy that included his contribution to the foundation of the genre along with his affect on the most influential band of all time, The Beatles. And of course, Holly is forever linked in history with the two musicians who died in the crash with him, J.P. Richardson (a/k/a “The Big Bopper”) and Ritchie Valens, who would have celebrated a milestone birthday himself this year-his 80th on May 15 (see Day 425).

The track I chose to commemorate this landmark date was a Top 20 hit for Holly in 1959. I love his version as well as Linda Ronstadt’s cover from 1974. However, it was not until I researched it for this post that I discovered it was written by Paul Anka. He wrote the song specifically for Holly after the two men met touring Australia together in 1958. Anka also relinquished his royalties to the song to Holly’s widow after his death. Despite a second marriage in which she had three children Maria Elena Holly, 88, continues to keep her first husband’s music alive through The Buddy Holly Educational Foundation. Long live rock & roll.

“Do you remember baby last September
How you held me tight each and every night
Well oops-a-daisy how you drove me crazy
But I guess it doesn’t matter anymore“.

Top: Buddy Holly circa 1957. Bottom: Holly & his wife, María Elena, on their wedding day in 1958. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Buddy Holly: “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” (1959, written by Paul Anka).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.