95: Buddy Holly – The Chriping Crickets

The Chirping Crickets by Buddy Holly (via Amazon)

Yes, I know rock existed before 1970. Modern rock is all about influences. Buddy Holly echoes throughout rock and roll history. Now if I could put Elvis and Buddy Holly in a cage match in Rock and Roll Heaven, I think Elvis would simply sit on Buddy Holly and it would be over. But Elvis was a breakout artist. Buddy Holly created three breakout albums. Looking at both Elvis' and Buddy Holly's discographies, you'll notice they have more compilations than original albums.

When you go back and listen to the original albums, I would argue that Buddy Holly's first album was a strong debut and a game-changing album. Buddy Holly's The Chirping Crickets (1957) defines rock and roll. There isn't a bad song on there and the guitar work is fantastic. You add that to the fact that I played this record until the grooves vanished and you have one of my favorite 100 rock albums of all time. This record deserves a modern audience so I encourage you to download it and listen to it with fresh ears.

"Not Fade Away" is my favorite cut, but you know many of the other songs on the album. "Oh, Boy!", "That'll Be the Day", and "Rock Me My Baby" are timeless, but all of the tracks still play well and there is a solid flow to the whole album you can't get by hearing the hits from a compilation album.

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Tagged as: 100 Days 100 Albums, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Music, School of Rock