The Crickets (Band)

Biography

Formed in the early months of 1957, the Crickets have continued to record and tour as a group ever since their leader Buddy Holly’s death in 1959. In addition to Holly, the original members were drummer Jerry Allison (31 August 1939, Hillsboro, Texas, USA), bass player Joe B. Mauldin and guitarist Niki Sullivan (b. 23 June 1937, South Gate, California, USA, d. 6 April 2004, Sugar Creek, Missouri, USA). When Holly signed a new recording contract in early 1957, it was decided that the group’s recordings should be released under two names, as Holly solo items (on Coral Records) and as the Crickets (on Brunswick Records). It was ‘That’ll Be The Day’, credited to the Crickets, which was the first number 1 hit. Other Crickets’ successes with Holly on lead vocals included ‘Oh, Boy!’, ‘Maybe Baby’ and ‘Think It Over’. Sullivan left the Crickets at the end of 1957, but after a short spell as a trio lead guitarist...

Read the Full Biography of The Crickets (Band)