Buddy Holly and the Crickets appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show twice. Their most controversial performance occurred on January 26, 1958, when they gave television audiences the show of a lifetime.
The band was scheduled to play two songs, including their hit “Oh, Boy!” However, Sullivan felt it was too rowdy and asked it be substituted for another track. Holly denied the host’s request, as he’d told his friends he’d be performing the song.
During rehearsals, the band was summoned to their dressing room, but only Holly showed up. Sullivan made a comment about the Crickets not being excited to appear on the show, to which Holly replied, “I hope they’re damn more excited than I am.”
This angered Sullivan, who set out to sabotage the band’s performance.
sounded like "Buddy hollith & His Crickets" to me
The performance was cut to just one song, and when introducing Holly, Sullivan purposefully mispronounced his last name as “Holland” or “Hollered.” Additionally, he made sure the microphone for Holly’s guitar was turned off. The musician repeatedly tried to turn on the instrument’s volume and sang as loud as he could, but eventually grew frustrated. In retaliation, he performed a dramatic guitar solo, to show he wasn’t at fault for the technical issues.
Sullivan’s plans for sabotage backfired, as the crowd loved the performance. As such, he was forced to invite the band back for a third visit. However, Holly refused, saying the television host didn’t have enough money to pay him.
The band was scheduled to play two songs, including their hit “Oh, Boy!” However, Sullivan felt it was too rowdy and asked it be substituted for another track. Holly denied the host’s request, as he’d told his friends he’d be performing the song.
During rehearsals, the band was summoned to their dressing room, but only Holly showed up. Sullivan made a comment about the Crickets not being excited to appear on the show, to which Holly replied, “I hope they’re damn more excited than I am.”
This angered Sullivan, who set out to sabotage the band’s performance.sounded like "Buddy hollith & His Crickets" to me
The performance was cut to just one song, and when introducing Holly, Sullivan purposefully mispronounced his last name as “Holland” or “Hollered.” Additionally, he made sure the microphone for Holly’s guitar was turned off. The musician repeatedly tried to turn on the instrument’s volume and sang as loud as he could, but eventually grew frustrated. In retaliation, he performed a dramatic guitar solo, to show he wasn’t at fault for the technical issues.
Sullivan’s plans for sabotage backfired, as the crowd loved the performance. As such, he was forced to invite the band back for a third visit. However, Holly refused, saying the television host didn’t have enough money to pay him.
