On September 19, 2025, Sonny Curtis died aged 88. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, collaborated with Buddy Holly, but was best known as member of The Crickets. His two best known songs are “Walk Right Back” performed by The Everly Brother, and “I Fought the Law”, performed by Bobby Fuller Fou, The Clash and Green Day. As leader, Curtis released eight albums.
Tag Archives: The Crickets
Nanci Caroline Griffith
On August 13, 2021, Nanci Caroline Griffith died aged 68. She was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, toured and recorded with The Crickets, John Prine, Iris DeMent, Suzy Bogguss, Judy Collins, Emmylou Harris, Mary Black, John Prine, Don McLean, Jimmy Buffett, Dolores Keane, Willie Nelson, Adam Duritz, The Chieftains, John Stewart, Darius Rucker and Buddy Holly’s band. In 1994, Griffith won “Grammy Award” for “Best Contemporary Folk Album”, in 1995, she was awarded the “Kate Wolf Memorial Award” by the “World Folk Music Association”, and in 2008, the “Americana Music Association” awarded her its “Americana Trailblazer Award”. Griffith released 18th studio and 2 live albums.
Bobby Vee and the Crickets: Bobby Vee Meets the Crickets
On July 14, 1962, “Liberty” label released “Bobby Vee Meets The Crickets”, album by Bobby Vee and the Crickets. It was Vee’s 6th album, and the fourth Crickets (The) album. It was recorded in 1962 at “United Recorders” in Hollywood, and was produced by Snuff Garrett.
Personnel:
- Bobby Vee – vocals, guitar
- Jerry Allison – drums, backing vocals
- Tommy Allsup – guitar
- Howard Roberts – piano
- Ernie Freeman – piano, arranger, conductor
- Gene Garf – piano
- Red Callendar -bass
- Earl Palmer – drums
- Jim Economides – engineer
- Eddie Brackett – engineer
Track listing:
- Peggy Sue – J.I.Allison, Buddy Holly, Norman Petty
- Bo Diddley – Elias McDaniels
- Someday (When I’m Gone from You) – Tom Lesslie
- Well…All Right – J.I. Allison, Buddy Holly, Norman Petty, Joe B. Mauldin
- I Gotta Know – M. Williams, P. Evans
- Lookin’ For Love – Roy Orbison, Joe Melson
- Sweet Little Sixteen – Chuck Berry
- When You’re in Love – J.I. Alison, Sonny Curtis
- Lucille – Richard Penniman, Albert Collins
- The Girl of My Best Friend – Sam Bobrick, Beverly Ross
- Little Queenie – Chuck Berry
- The Girl Can’t Help It – Bobby Troup
The Crickets: The Chirping Crickets
On November 27, 1957, “Brunswick” label released “The Chirping Crickets”, the debut Crickets (The) album. It was recorded February – September 1957, and was produced by Norman Petty.
Personnel:
- Buddy Holly– lead and backing vocals, lead and acoustic guitar
- Niki Sullivan– rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Larry Welborn – contrabass
- Joe B. Mauldin– contrabass
- Jerry Allison– drums, card-box percussion, backing vocals
- The Picks (Bill Pickering, John Pickering and Bob Lapham) – backing vocals
- Ramona and Gary Tollett – backing vocals
Track listing:
- Oh, Boy! – Sonny West, Bill Tilghman, Norman Petty
- Not Fade Away – Buddy Holly, Norman Petty
- You’ve Got Love – Roy Orbison, Johnny Wilson, Norman Petty
- Maybe Baby – Buddy Holly, Norman Petty
- It’s Too Late – Chuck Willis
- Tell Me How – Buddy Holly, Norman Petty, Jerry Allison
- That’ll Be the Day – Buddy Holly, Norman Petty, Jerry Allison
- I’m Looking for Someone to Love – Buddy Holly, Norman Petty
- An Empty Cup (And a Broken Date) – Roy Orbison, Norman Petty
- Send Me Some Lovin’ – John Marascalco, Leo Price
- Last Night – Joe B. Mauldin, Norman Petty
- Rock Me Baby – Shorty Long, Susan Heather
Niki Sullivan
On April 6, 2004, Niki Sullivan died aged 69. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, best known as one of the four original members of Buddy Holly’s backing band. In 2012, Sullivan was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” as a member of the Crickets.
Delanie Bramlett
On December 27, 2008, Delaine Alvin “Delaney” Bramlett died aged 69. He was musician (guitar), singer, songwriter and producer, best known by the partnership with his wife Bonnie Bramlett in a revolving troupe of professional musicians and rock stars Delaney & Bonnie & Friends. In his five decade long career, Bramlett performed and recorded with big number of famous musicians, including: J.J. Cale, Leon Russell, Eric Clapton, King Curtis, Elvin Bishop, The Crickets, Dave Mason, John Simon, John Hammond Jr, Duane Allman, Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Pacific Gas & Electric, John Ussery, Commander Cody, Dann Rogers, Hank Thompson, Ian Whitcomb and T. Graham Brown.
Rick Grech
On March 17, 1990, Richard Roman Grechko aka Rick Grech died aged 44. He was musician (bass, violin, viola, cello, guitar, mandolin, banjo) performed and recorded with Family, Blind Faith, Ginger Baker’s Air Force, Traffic, Gram Parsons and The Crickets.
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