Lubbock: Buddy Holly Center and Marker

The Buddy Holly Center not only celebrates the West Texas music pioneer, it honors his impact on the region by serving an ongoing hub for the arts. The Center has galleries and performance spaces where musicians and visual artists are showcased. One highlight of the site is the Buddy Holly statue by sculptor Grant Speed. The popular work is located inside the Buddy and Maria Elena Holly Plaza just west of the Center, at the corner of Crickets Avenue and 19th Street.

The Buddy Holly Center also has a Texas Historical Marker, located outside the building near a large-size replica of Holly’s iconic horned-rim eyeglasses. You’ll also find the West Texas Walk of Fame, which includes Waylon Jennings, Mac Davis, Jimmy Dean, Bobby Keys, Sonny Curtis, Tanya Tucker, Joe Ely, Roy Orbison, Bob Wills, Terry and Jo Harvey Allen, and many more Texas legends who came from the region.

The Buddy Holly Center provides a comprehensive look at Buddy Holly’s life, his impact on music, and the broader musical heritage of Texas. Visitors can enjoy a rich array of exhibits, educational programs, and cultural events that celebrate Holly’s legacy and the vibrant history of rock ‘n’ roll.

Here’s what you can see at the Buddy Holly Center:

Permanent Exhibits:

Buddy Holly Gallery:

• Personal Artifacts: The gallery features personal items belonging to Buddy Holly, including his iconic glasses, guitars, clothing, and handwritten letters.
• Memorabilia: Visitors can see original recordings, photographs, and other memorabilia that document his career and influence on rock ‘n’ roll.

The Texas Musicians Hall of Fame:

• Tributes to Texas Musicians: This exhibit honors musicians from Texas who have made significant contributions to the music industry, featuring artifacts and information about their careers. Featured performers include Waylon Jennings, Roy Orbison, Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Janis Joplin, Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, George Jones, Kenny Rogers, T-Bone Walker and ZZ Top.

Special Exhibits:

Temporary Exhibits:

• The center frequently hosts temporary exhibits that cover various aspects of music history, art, and culture, offering visitors something new with each visit.

The J.I. Allison House:

Historic Home:

• Childhood Home of J.I. Allison: This house, which has been moved to the center’s grounds, is where Buddy Holly and J.I. Allison, drummer of The Crickets, wrote many of their hit songs.
• Interior Tour: Visitors can tour the interior of the house, which has been preserved to reflect the era when Holly and Allison collaborated there.

Educational Programs and Events:

Workshops and Classes:

• The center offers various educational programs, workshops, and classes focused on music, art, and history, engaging visitors of all ages.

Live Performances and Festivals:

• The center hosts live music performances, including an annual Buddy Holly birthday celebration and the Buddy Holly Music Festival, featuring local and national artists.

Fine Arts Gallery:

Art Exhibits:

• This gallery features rotating exhibits of contemporary art, showcasing works by local, national, and international artists.

The West Texas Walk of Fame:

Tribute to West Texas Artists:

• Located adjacent to the center, the West Texas Walk of Fame honors artists and musicians from the West Texas region who have made significant contributions to the arts.