Editing The Buddy Holly Story (section)

==Plot==
In 1956, Buddy Holly and his friends, drummer Jesse Charles and bass player Ray Bob Simmons, regularly performed at a local roller rink in [[Lubbock, Texas]], as [[The Crickets]]. A local radio station broadcasts the show. Holly plays a country song, then switches to a rock and roll song, exciting the teens much to the annoyance of the radio station's sponsor. Station manager Riley tells Holly that [[Coral Records]] vice president wants the band to make a recording in [[Nashville, Tennessee]].

At the recording studio, Holly walks out when his rock-and-roll vision clashes with the producers, who want [[The Crickets]] to play country music. Later, Riley says he sent a tape of the Cricket's roller rink performance to [[New York City]] music producer Ross Turner. Believing the demo tape is a master copy, Turner releases it without realizing the band has no contract. The record is a hit and Holly can now pursue music full time. In New York City, the Crickets meet with Turner; after initial resistance, he agrees that Holly can make music how he wants.

Sol Gittler books the Crickets for the famous [[Apollo Theater]] in [[Harlem]], assuming they are a black band. He is stunned when three white Texans show up and he refuses to let them perform, fearing the  audience's reaction. Holly points out that Gittler's telegram specifies that they only have to be in New York City for a week to be paid $1,000, so Gittler nervously allows them to perform, the first white act to perform at the Apollo. After an uncomfortable start, Holly's music soon wins over the audience and the Crickets are a hit. Turner's secretary, [[María Elena Holly|Maria Elena Santiago]], catches Holly's eye but their budding romance is nearly ended when her strict aunt refuses to allow them to date. Holly convinces her to change her mind and on their first date, Holly proposes to Maria. She accepts and they are soon married.

After two years of success, Ray Bob and Jesse, feeling overshadowed by Holly and wanting to return to Texas, decide to quit while Holly believes it is necessary to remain in New York to stay popular. After appearing on [[CBS]] TV on ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]'', Jesse and Ray Bob return to Lubbock with the agreement that they will retain the Crickets name. Though saddened by their departure, Holly carries on writing. He initially fears performing without them despite his manager emphasizing that touring is necessary to chart success. Holly is delighted when Maria becomes pregnant, though she sees he is frustrated professionally and urges him to go on tour.

On February 2, 1959, preparing for a concert at [[Clear Lake, Iowa]], Holly charters a private plane to fly to [[Moorhead, Minnesota]] for the next concert after the tour bus has broken down. [[The Big Bopper]] and [[Ritchie Valens]] join him on the flight. The Crickets, feeling nostalgic and wanting to revive the band, plan to join Holly at his next tour stop. After playing his final song, "[[Not Fade Away (song)|Not Fade Away]]", Holly bids the crowd farewell. A caption reveals that Holly, Valens and the Bopper died in a plane crash [[The Day the Music Died|that night]] "... and the rest is Rock 'n Roll".