The Crickets
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | January 1, 1957 in Lubbock, Texas, United States |
| Founder | Buddy Holly |
| Headquarters | Lubbock , United States |
Area served | United States; United Kingdom; international |
| Products | Music recordings, live performances |
Number of employees | Various members over time |
The Crickets were a pioneering American rock and roll group originating from Lubbock, Texas, created by singer-songwriter Buddy Holly in January 1957. Their breakthrough single, "That'll Be the Day", released in May 1957, climbed to number three on the Billboard Top 100 chart by September of the same year. Their first album, The "Chirping" Crickets, showcased Holly as lead vocalist and guitarist, with Niki Sullivan handling rhythm guitar, Jerry Allison on drums, and Joe B. Mauldin playing bass. The Crickets set a precedent with their guitar-bass-drums lineup that influenced subsequent rock groups such as the Beatles, performing predominantly original compositions. Following Holly’s tragic death in 1959, the band persisted in touring and recording throughout the 1960s and continued with various members well into the 21st century.
Formation
Starting in 1954, Holly recorded demos with local musicians including Sonny Curtis, Jerry Allison, and Larry Welborn. By 1956, his ensemble—then called Buddy and the Two Tones—produced rockabilly tracks for Decca in Nashville; however, these recordings achieved limited commercial impact. It was not until 1957, during sessions produced by Norman Petty in Clovis, New Mexico, that Holly experienced significant financial success.
To circumvent legal complications stemming from previous solo recordings, Holly chose the name the Crickets for his band. This decision was inspired by a trend of bird-themed band names and an interest in insect-related options. The group nearly adopted the name "Beetles," which was later famously mirrored by the Beatles as a tribute.
The original members consisted of Holly on lead guitar and vocals, Allison on drums, Mauldin on bass, and Sullivan on rhythm guitar. Sullivan departed after approximately one year to pursue further education. The remaining trio sustained their presence on stage and television while continuing to record original material.
Early success
In 1957, producer Norman Petty released recordings by the Crickets under two distinct names: tracks featuring solo vocals were credited to Buddy Holly, while those with backing vocals appeared under the Crickets’ name.[1] Petty’s strategy anticipated that radio DJs would prefer playing records from two separate acts rather than repeatedly featuring a single artist. Some disc jockeys referred to the band as "Buddy Holly and the Crickets," although this label was officially adopted only after Holly’s passing. Notably, in August 1957, the group became the first white performers at Harlem’s prestigious Apollo Theater, an establishment traditionally dedicated to African American entertainers.[2]
In 1958, Holly ended his collaboration with producer Petty and relocated to New York City to take a more active role in publishing and recording activities. Meanwhile, Allison and Mauldin remained in Lubbock. During this period, Holly recorded under his own name with session musicians Tommy Allsup and Carl Bunch. Shortly after departing from the Crickets, Waylon Jennings joined him on tour. Concurrently, Allison, Mauldin, and Sonny Curtis began producing new material as the Crickets with vocalist Earl Sinks. Tragically, during these sessions, Holly lost his life in a plane crash while on tour—a calamity often referred to as the Day the Music Died.
Following Holly's passing
The Crickets carried on with Earl Sinks as their lead singer. Subsequently, David Box, a native of Lubbock, Texas, took over vocal duties for their 1960 release "Dont Cha Know"/"Peggy Sue Got Married" after Sinks departed. During this period, Curtis was absent due to his military obligations. Box exited the group in 1960 and tragically died in a plane accident in 1964 while pursuing a solo career.
In April 1960, the Crickets served as the backing band for the Everly Brothers during their initial UK tour, although they were not officially credited. By 1962, the lineup had evolved to include Curtis, Allison, Glen D. Hardin, and Jerry Naylor. Their rendition of "Don't Ever Change," released on Liberty Records, achieved a top-five position on the British charts. Additionally, they put out the album Bobby Vee Meets the Crickets, featuring Bobby Vee as lead vocalist. Allison missed part of their UK tour due to commitments with the U.S. Air Force.
The Crickets saw two more UK chart entries in 1963 with "My Little Girl" and "Don't Try to Change Me," marking their final singles to chart there. They continued producing music and issued a surf rock album titled California Sun in 1964. In 1970, Allison and Curtis contributed backing vocals to Eric Clapton's self-titled debut solo album.
Over time, personnel shifted while Curtis and Allison remained steady members. The 1971 record Rockin' 50s Rock n' Roll featured Curtis, Allison, and Doug Gilmore. By 1973’s Bubblegum, Bop, Ballad and Boogies, the lineup included Curtis, Allison, Hardin, and bassist Ric Grech. Vocalist Steven Krikorian (later known as Tonio K.) joined along with guitarists Albert Lee and Nick van Maarth, who replaced Hardin. This sextet appeared on the albums Remnants (1973) and A Long Way from Lubbock (1974).
The 1978 movie The Buddy Holly Story, starring Gary Busey, offered an entertaining yet historically inaccurate depiction of the band’s history. Due to legal restrictions stemming from rights sold elsewhere, the names of Allison and Mauldin were altered, and several key members were omitted. The Crickets expressed disapproval of the film; Allison particularly objected to his character’s crude portrayal.
During the 1980s, Waylon Jennings invited the Crickets—Allison, Mauldin, and Curtis—to open for him on tour; they remained with him for five years. Gordon Payne joined as lead guitarist when Curtis was sidelined by injury and later replaced him upon his departure. This trio toured extensively including visits to the UK and released the album “Three Piece” on Roller Coaster Records featuring contributions from Jim Horn (saxophone), Wayne Jackson (trumpet), and Dennis Burnside (keyboards). Paul McCartney recorded their single "T Shirt" in his studio and played piano on it. A Swedish television company documented their tours in a program titled My Love Is Bigger than a Cadillac. In 1994 Payne left; Curtis returned alongside Glen D Hardin to form a four-member band. After recording "Well All Right" with Nanci Griffith, they toured the UK performing with her orchestra.
21st century
In 2004, The Crickets unveiled The Crickets and Their Buddies, an album showcasing timeless hits from their repertoire, featuring collaborations with distinguished musicians such as Eric Clapton, Rodney Crowell, Waylon Jennings, Nanci Griffith, John Prine, Graham Nash, and Bobby Vee. The project was produced and mixed by Greg Ladanyi and included performances by former members Albert Lee on guitar and Glen D. Hardin on keyboards. Steven Krikorian (also known as Tonio K.) provided lead vocals on two selections. The official band members at this time were Allison, Curtis, and Mauldin.
On October 28, 2008, The Crickets received induction into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. During the ceremony, they performed "Peggy Sue", "Not Fade Away", and "That'll Be the Day" alongside guest guitarist Keith Richards. By 2011, Allison was still actively touring with longtime collaborator Sonny Curtis.
The group was formally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 14, 2012, rectifying their previous exclusion in conjunction with Buddy Holly. Those honored included Jerry Allison, Sonny Curtis, Joe B. Mauldin, and Niki Sullivan. Mauldin was unable to attend due to illness and later succumbed to cancer on February 7, 2015.
On February 6, 2016, "The Crickets & Buddies" held a concert at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa—the location of Holly’s final performance—featuring former members such as Curtis, Hardin, Lee, Allsup, and Payne. Jerry Allison announced this event would serve as the band’s concluding show.
Jerry Allison passed away from cancer on August 22, 2022. Sonny Curtis died on September 19, 2025.
Band members
- Jerry Allison – drums
- Buddy Holly – lead vocals, guitar
- Joe B. Mauldin – double bass, electric bass
- Niki Sullivan – guitar
- Sonny Curtis – guitar; lead vocals
- Earl Sinks – lead vocals
- David Box – lead vocals
- Tommy Allsup – guitar
- Jerry Naylor – lead vocals
- Glen Hardin – keyboards; keyboard bass
- Gordon Payne – lead vocals, guitar
External links
- Articles with short description
- Musical groups from Lubbock, Texas
- Buddy Holly
- Music of Lubbock, Texas
- Liberty Records artists
- Musical groups established in 1957
- Musical groups disestablished in 2016
- Rock music groups from Texas
- American rock and roll music groups
- 1957 establishments in Texas
- 2016 disestablishments in Texas
- American rockabilly music groups
- Pages with reference errors
- Pages with script errors