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Quiz about Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series Buddy Holly

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series: Buddy Holly Quiz

Buddy Holly is one of the most recognizable figures of the 1950's. Although he had a very brief career, he impacted the course of music in a very positive way. This quiz pays homage to this great musician.

A multiple-choice quiz by ralzzz. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
ralzzz

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
175,646

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
3639

Awards
Top 10% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 174 (9/10), Guest 142 (9/10), Guest 174 (8/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In what state was Buddy Holly born? Hint

Louisiana

Missouri

Arkansas

Texas

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Question 2 of 10

2. Buddy Holly had a great hit with the song "That'll Be the Day". From what actor did Holly hear that phrase and turn it into a song? Hint

Chuck Connors

John Wayne

James Stewart

Gregory Peck

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Question 3 of 10

3. What musician owns the rights to the Buddy Holly catalog of music? Hint

Garth Brooks

Prince

Paul McCartney

Elvis Costello

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Question 4 of 10

4. What label signed Buddy Holly, only to release him after only one recording session? He was later signed to the original label's subsidiary, Brunswick Records. Hint

Decca

Atlantic

Warner Bros.

RCA

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Question 5 of 10

5. What was the first television program that Buddy Holly appeared on? Hint

The Ed Sullivan Show

American Bandstand

The Milton Berle Show

Your Show of Shows

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Question 6 of 10

6. Buddy Holly tragically was killed in a plane crash on February 3, 1959. How old was Holly when he died? Hint

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Question 7 of 10

7. In what state did the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly? Hint

Iowa

Illinois

Wisconsin

Michigan

8. Buddy Holly had a temporary bass player who was slated to fly with him on the day his plane crashed. J.P. Richardson (aka as The Big Bopper) was suffering from a bad cold, so this man gave up is seat so that The Big Bopper could get to the destination sooner and have time to recuperate. Who was this man that nearly died that perilous day? Hint

Kris Kristofferson

Merle Haggard

Willie Nelson

Waylon Jennings

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Question 9 of 10

9. What actor portrayed Buddy Holly in "The Buddy Holly Story"? Hint

Don Johnson

Nick Nolte

Gary Busey

Kurt Russell

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Question 10 of 10

10. What is the name of Buddy Holly's last hit to reach the Top 40 on the US Pop Charts? Hint

Think It Over

Heartbeat

It Doesn't Matter Anymore

Raining in my Heart

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 13 2024 : Guest 174: 9/10
Apr 06 2024 : Guest 142: 9/10
Apr 06 2024 : Guest 174: 8/10
Mar 11 2024 : panagos: 9/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In what state was Buddy Holly born?

Answer: Texas

Charles "Buddy" Hardin Holley was born in Lubbock, TX on September 7, 1936. After his name was misspelled on a record contract, his last name became Holly and the rest is music history.

2. Buddy Holly had a great hit with the song "That'll Be the Day". From what actor did Holly hear that phrase and turn it into a song?

Answer: John Wayne

John Wayne said the phrase "that'll be the day" several times in the movie "The Searchers". Holly kept saying it over and over until the song was written. John Wayne plays a character named Ethan Edwards in this 1956 release.

3. What musician owns the rights to the Buddy Holly catalog of music?

Answer: Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney is a life-long admirer of Buddy Holly. He owes much of the early success to Holly, not necessarily from the musical side of the business, but the technical side. Holly was very innovative in the studio and many of his recording techniques were used by The Beatles in their beginnings.

4. What label signed Buddy Holly, only to release him after only one recording session? He was later signed to the original label's subsidiary, Brunswick Records.

Answer: Decca

Decca can be remembered as the record label that released Buddy Holly and didn't even bother signing The Beatles. After Holly was released, he went back to Texas and formed The Crickets. The band was then resigned under the Brunswick label because he was contractually obligated not to record for Decca for at least five years.

5. What was the first television program that Buddy Holly appeared on?

Answer: American Bandstand

Buddy Holly made his television debut on August 25, 1957 on the hugely popular "American Bandstand". He later appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in December of that same year.

6. Buddy Holly tragically was killed in a plane crash on February 3, 1959. How old was Holly when he died?

Answer: 22

Buddy Holly was survived by his pregnant wife, Maria Elena and his parents, Ella and Lawrence Holley. His plane was carrying Richie Valens and The Big Bopper in hopes of getting to the next city on the tour with plenty of time for some rest.

7. In what state did the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly?

Answer: Iowa

The plane took off from a small airport in Clear Lake, Iowa and crashed less than eight miles away. The group of musicians had been a part of the "Winter Dance Party" tour of the midwestern United States.

Answer: Waylon Jennings

Waylon Jennings befriended Holly back in the early days in Lubbock. Holly taught Jennings some guitar licks and even produced his first single "Jole Blon". After Holly's death, Jennings mourned for two years before finally assembling a rockabilly band called The Waylors.

9. What actor portrayed Buddy Holly in "The Buddy Holly Story"?

Answer: Gary Busey

Gary Busey did a remarkable job of playing Holly in this film. The film was released in 1978. Busey did all of his own singing in this film. In 1990, Busey paid $250,000 for a Buddy Holly guitar. The movie must have made quite an impact on him to pay such a handsome sum for a guitar.

10. What is the name of Buddy Holly's last hit to reach the Top 40 on the US Pop Charts?

Answer: It Doesn't Matter Anymore

"It Doesn't Matter Anymore" reached number thirteen on the US Pop Charts after his death. The song was written by Paul Anka.

Source: Author ralzzz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Dalgleish before going online.
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