Caprock Chronicles on Buddy Holly, Petty's complicated relationship
Editor’s Note: Jack Becker is the editor of Caprock Chronicles and is a Librarian Emeritus from Texas Tech University. He can be reached at jack.becker@ttu.edu. Today’s article is by frequent contributor Chuck Lanehart, Lubbock attorney and award-winning Western History writer. Serious Buddy Holly fans know he had a long struggle for success in the music business, despite early opportunities to record what eventually became iconic rock standards. But the controversial role of Norman Petty as Buddy’s manager, producer, recording engineer, and (perhaps) co-writer is often overlooked. Certainly not an overnight sensation, Buddy worked for years to showcase his talent, playing gigs at big and small venues, including opening for Elvis in Lubbock. He made many attempts to record his songs, laying down tracks on vinyl at Lubbock radio stations and multiple trips to recording studios in Wichita Falls, Nashville and elsewhere. But none of his early records were hits. Meanwhile, another musician, pianist Norman Petty of Clovis, NM, formed a pop group with his wife Violet (known as “Vi”) and guitarist Jack Vaughn, the Norman Petty Trio. In 1954, RCA Records signed them, and their cover of “Mood Indigo” reached No. 14 on the pop charts. Later, their record “Almost
