About the song
Buddy Holly & The Crickets “That’ll Be The Day” on The Ed Sullivan Show is an iconic performance that highlights one of the most groundbreaking songs in the history of rock and roll. Released in 1957, “That’ll Be The Day” was a massive hit and solidified Buddy Holly & The Crickets as pioneers of the genre. Written by Buddy Holly, Jerry Allison, and Norman Petty, and inspired by a line John Wayne delivered in the 1956 film The Searchers, the song went on to define the early rock music landscape.
Peaking at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, “That’ll Be The Day” became Buddy Holly & The Crickets’ breakthrough track, marking a turning point in their career. Its upbeat tempo, catchy melody, and heartfelt lyrics resonated with a generation, carving out space for future rock artists to experiment with sound and style.
This particular performance on The Ed Sullivan Show, one of the most influential television programs of the mid-20th century, further amplified the song’s success. By appearing on such a prominent show, Buddy Holly & The Crickets gained exposure to millions of viewers, many of whom were captivated by Holly’s signature hiccupping vocal style, the band’s tight instrumentation, and their overall charisma.
Although “That’ll Be The Day” did not win a Grammy Award (the Grammy Awards were established two years after its release in 1959), it has continued to receive recognition for its importance in musical history. In 1998, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, a testament to its enduring legacy.
The song’s legacy as a classic was further solidified in Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, where it earned a well-deserved spot. Decades later, “That’ll Be The Day” remains a definitive track that not only showcased Buddy Holly & The Crickets’ talent and influence but also shaped the evolution of rock music.
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