The inspiration for Buddy Holly's 'That'll Be the Day'
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In 1956 Buddy Holly and his drummer Jerry Allison went to see a movie in their hometown of Lubbock, Texas. They saw "The Searchers" starring John Wayne. Wayne had a response that he used throughout the movie when someone said something he didn't agree with: "That'll be the day."
As legend has it, after the movie, Holly looked at Allison and said that it sure would be nice if they could record a hit song. And Jerry replied "That'll be the day."
That was the inspiration for a song that was No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart 60 years ago.
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