#166 of 500
· Rolling Stone
“At #166, 20 Golden Greats represents Buddy Holly at a creative peak (1978). The original pressing captures a moment in rock that's been influential ever since. Worth hunting in the bins.”
Buddy Holly (1936-1959) was a pioneering rock and roll innovator who emerged from Lubbock, Texas in the mid-1950s. His real name was Charles Hardin Holley, and he quickly became one of the most influential figures in early rock and roll despite his tragically brief career. Holly's early work with The Crickets produced landmark recordings like "That'll Be the Day" (1957) and "Peggy Sue" (1957), which showcased his distinctive vocal style and innovative use of studio techniques. His solo career, which began in 1958, produced enduring classics including "Everyday" and "True Love Ways." Holly's contributions to recording technology—including pioneering overdubbing techniques and unconventional instrumentation—influenced countless musicians. His death in a plane crash on February 3, 1959, at age 22, cut short a career that had already left an indelible mark on rock music.
Style
Buddy Holly pioneered early rock and roll by blending country, rhythm and blues, and pop sensibilities. His sound featured his distinctive hiccupping vocal delivery, jangly guitars, and innovative production techniques that were ahead of their time.
Significance
Holly is considered one of rock and roll's most important architects, influencing The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and generations of musicians that followed. His original recordings and Decca sessions remain highly sought-after by vinyl collectors, with both The Crickets and solo releases representing essential early rock and roll documents.
"20 Golden Greats" is a compilation album released in 1978, compiled after Buddy Holly's death in 1959. The album draws from Holly's recordings made between 1956 and 1958, primarily during his time with The Crickets and as a solo artist for Decca Records and Brunswick Records. These tracks represent some of Holly's most commercially successful and artistically significant work, including his early rock and roll hits and ballads that showcased his versatility as both performer and songwriter. The compilation was assembled by MCA Records, which controlled the rights to much of Holly's catalogue, presenting a curated overview of his brief but influential recording career.
Historical Context
Released in 1978, this compilation arrived during a period of significant rock and roll revival and nostalgia for 1950s music. The late 1970s saw renewed interest in early rock pioneers as punk and new wave movements looked back to rock's roots. Buddy Holly's influence on subsequent generations of musicians—from The Beatles to modern rock artists—was increasingly recognized. The album performed well commercially and introduced Holly's music to audiences who may have been too young to experience his original releases, solidifying his legacy as one of rock and roll's founding figures during a time when such historical reassessments were gaining cultural momentum.
Pressing Notes
The original 1978 MCA pressing is the most common version found by collectors. This compilation has been reissued multiple times across different formats and labels, including various CD releases with expanded track listings. The vinyl pressings vary in condition and quality depending on pressing plant and era—early MCA pressings are generally good quality. Collectors should look for original gatefold editions, as later reissues sometimes came in simpler packaging. The album's availability means it remains affordable and accessible for collectors building a Buddy Holly collection, making it an excellent entry point for those interested in his music.
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