Synopsis
A chronicle of the rise and brief career of rock 'n' roll star Buddy Holly, who aspires to play music the way he wants it to sound. Holly and his band, the Crickets, are first invited to record in Nashville, where they encounter creative differences with the producing staff. Later they play a major booking at the Apollo Theater, scheduled there under the mistaken assumption that they're a black band. Holly's career eventually goes solo -- until the tragic day the music dies.
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Cast
- Gary BuseyBuddy Holly
- Don StroudJesse Charles
- Charles Martin SmithRay Bob Simmons
- Conrad JanisRoss Turner
- William JordanRiley
- Maria RichwineMaria Elena
- Amy JohnstonCindy Lou
- Dick O'NeillSol Gittler
- Fred TravalenaMadman Mancuso
- Neva PattersonMrs. Holly
Recommendations
- 90
Film Threat
Until they get that epic version of The Big Bopper’s life and career off the table, this is still the best Rock and Roll biography ever filmed. - 88
Chicago Sun-Times
The movie gets the feel right, and there's real energy in the concert scenes, especially the tricky debut of Buddy Holly and the Crickets as the first white act in Harlem's famous Apollo Theater. - 88
Chicago Tribune
One of the most engaging rock biographies ever filmed. [31 Jan 1988, p.18C] - 80
Time Out
Fine biopic which showcases a brilliant performance by Busey as Holly, and conveys a real, raw feeling for the music. - 80
Variety
The Buddy Holly Story smacks of realism in almost every respect, from the dramaturgy involving Holly and his back-up band, The Crickets, to the verisimilitude of the musical numbers. - 80
Newsweek
This unpretentious, affectionate biography of the horn-rimmed Texas boy who changed the course of rock 'n' roll is a real movie, with a firm grasp on its characters, an honest-to-god plot and an old-fashioned heart. [26 June 1978, p.79] - 75
TV Guide Magazine
Busey did all his own singing and playing, as did Martin and Stroud as The Crickets, providing a welcome sense of realism. Busey's performance is terrific. - 75
Washington Post
Steve Rash directs the firm in a clean, observant and confidently transparent style - making an impressive debut after several years of TV pop-music specials - and demonstrates a flair for expressing Holly's appeal. [18 Aug 1978, p.B1]
