The statue stands in the Buddy and Maria Elena Holly Plaza, the centerpiece of the West Texas Hall of Fame. Holly became the hall's first inductee in 1979. A year later, sculptor Grant Speed revealed the statue, which the source calls a remarkable likeness.

Across the street, the Buddy Holly Center honors Holly and other musicians from Lubbock and West Texas. Holly grew up here, then packed his whole legacy into a professional career of only about 18 months. His hits include "That'll Be The Day," "Peggy Sue" and "Oh Boy!"

He died February 3, 1959, in a plane crash in Iowa, at 22. Don McLean's 1971 song "American Pie" later named it "the day the music died."

Fans visiting Lubbock can hit both stops in one trip. Folks who live here get a reminder that John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and the Beach Boys all drew on a kid from this town.

Bruce Springsteen says he plays Holly every night before he goes on, because it keeps him honest.