Buddy

The other night, I did some reading about Maria Elena Holly. Yes... That Maria... Buddy Holly's widow. The end of "The Buddy Holly Story" was on TV, and it got me asking some questions: Is Maria still alive? (Yes). What about the child she was carrying? What about the Crickets, what happened to them? How wonderfully Gary Busey "become" the innovative performer known for his thick, southern drawl, "hiccup" sorta sound and those trademark, black rimmed glasses. I fell in love with him when I was just a little girl. I always wondered why he had to die so young. Why did any of them have to die? The now infamous Winter Dance Party Tour, the bitterly cold weather, the bus that kept breaking down. Tragic. Simply tragic.

Maria Holly, his widow, is still alive and well, and living in Texas (but not in Lubbock). I believe the article I read said she was living in Dallas somewhere. However, don't quote me on that, because I'm not positive. Maria was indeed pregnant when Buddy left to go on tour... And did not return. Apparently the shock and grief of losing him caused her to miscarry. Maria has never seen her husband's grave marker, that bares the family name "Holley.". Buddy changed the spelling of his name to match a typo he found.

"I refuse to think of him as being six feet under," she said.

Maria was re-married and then divorced. She then re-claimed her name "Holly.". Every year, on their wedding anniversary (August 15th), Maria has red roses sent to her home. She says that for years now, she has attempted to help the city of Lubbuck erect something in memorium to her late husband. For some reason, they have not responded. Maria says that the people of Lubbock, while being devoted to Buddy's memory... are not supportive of her. Apparently, even Buddy's older brothers (he has two) are not supportive of Buddy's widow because she still today has control of Holly's name (is it the spelling they don't like?). Anyway, I never could have appreciated Buddy Holly nearly as much, were it not for the 1978 Gary Busey film, "The Buddy Holly Story.". I've heard that there actually are many inaccuracies in the story itself; but Busey's performance as the fallen rock & roll genius is unforgettable. I'm glad this movie was made, and I do hope that any disagreements over Buddy Holly and his name, and his widow Maria, can be ironed out.

Love

The Wizard (Frank Morgan) to the Tin Man (Jack Haley): "...AND REMEMBER, MY SENTIMENTAL FRIEND, THAT A HEART IS NOT JUDGED BY HOW MUCH YOU LOVE, BUT BY HOW MUCH YOU ARE LOVED BY OTHERS." --THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939)