About the song
Buddy Holly & The Crickets‘ timeless performance of "That’ll Be The Day" on The Ed Sullivan Show represents one of the most iconic moments in early rock ‘n’ roll history. The song, released in 1957, became a groundbreaking success and firmly cemented Buddy Holly & The Crickets as pioneers of the genre. Written by Buddy Holly and Jerry Allison, the track was inspired by a line from a John Wayne movie, The Searchers. The phrase, “That’ll be the day,” uttered by Wayne’s character, resonated so powerfully with Holly that it became the perfect anchor for the song.
The single was a massive hit, rising to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in September 1957. It marked a significant milestone for rock ‘n’ roll, being one of the first tracks to achieve mainstream popularity and bridge the gap between teenagers and older listeners. The song’s memorable melody, innovative instrumentation, and Holly’s distinctive vocal style exemplified the burgeoning sound of the era. Critics and historians often cite "That’ll Be The Day" as a significant influence on future music icons, including The Beatles, who recorded their own version of the song early in their career as an homage to Buddy Holly & The Crickets.
Although released before the establishment of the Grammy Awards, "That’ll Be The Day" garnered critical acclaim and was later added to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. Its legacy endures not only as a cornerstone of rock ‘n’ roll but also as a cultural milestone. Performing the track on The Ed Sullivan Show allowed the band to reach an even broader audience, further solidifying Buddy Holly as a legendary figure in music history. Today, "That’ll Be The Day" remains an enduring classic, celebrated for its innovation and influence.
Video
Lyrics
updating