Charles Hardin Holley (September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959), known as
Buddy Holly, was an American musician and singer/songwriter who was a central figure of mid-1950s
rock and roll. Holly was born in
Lubbock, Texas, to a musical family during the
Great Depression; he learned to play guitar and to sing alongside his siblings. His style was influenced by
gospel music,
country music and
rhythm and blues acts, and he performed in Lubbock with his friends from high school. He made his first appearance on local television in 1952, and the following year he formed the group "Buddy and Bob" with his friend
Bob Montgomery. In 1955, after opening for
Elvis Presley, Holly decided to pursue a career in music. He opened for Presley three times that year; his band's style shifted from country and western to entirely rock and roll. In October that year, when he opened for
Bill Haley & His Comets, Holly was spotted by
Nashville scout Eddie Crandall, who helped him get a contract with
Decca Records.