Q 01/05

What was Buddy Holly's family surname at birth?

A) Hawley

B) Hollie

C) Holliday

D) Holley

Answer · why

D) Holley

Holley. His first record contract dropped the e, probably by accident, and he kept the shorter spelling as his stage name.

Q 02/05

In which Texas city was Buddy Holly born and raised?

A) Lubbock

B) Amarillo

C) Waco

D) Abilene

Answer · why

A) Lubbock

Lubbock. He went back there to marry Maria Elena Santiago in August 1958, after meeting her in New York that summer.

Q 03/05

Buddy Holly quit lessons on which instrument after nine months?

A) Piano

B) Accordion

C) Trumpet

D) Clarinet

Answer · why

A) Piano

Piano. Holly, born in 1936, started at 11, then briefly studied the steel guitar before settling on the acoustic guitar.

Q 04/05

Which star died alongside Holly and Ritchie Valens?

A) Eddie Cochran

B) Big Bopper

C) Bobby Darin

D) Sam Cooke

Answer · why

B) Big Bopper

The Big Bopper. J. P. Richardson had the flu and asked for a seat on the charter plane instead of another night on the tour bus; Holly was 22.

Q 05/05

Besides the guitar, which string instrument did Buddy Holly learn to play as a child?

A) Cello

B) Ukulele

C) Double bass

D) Violin

Answer · why

D) Violin

Violin. He was performing early too: at the age of five he won a local talent contest, appearing alongside his older brothers.