Jerry Allison, a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer who drummer for Buddy Holly and the Crickets, passed away yesterday at the age of 82. The news was shared on the official Buddy Holly Facebook page, calling Allison “one of Buddy’s very closest friends, and the inspiration to drummers for decades.”
Allison co-wrote two of Holly’s biggest hits “That’ll Be The Day,” which was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998, and “Peggy Sue,” inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. He also claimed he co-wrote “Not Face Away,” but didn’t get credited for it. “Peggy Sue” was actually originally written as “Cindy Lou,” but was changed to honor Allison’s then estranged girlfriend Peggy Sue Gerron, who later became his wife.
Allison also had a solo hit, “Real Wild Child,” which was recorded under the name Ivan. The tune went on to be covered by artists like Iggy Pop and more
