Buddy Holly - Oh Boy ( Ed Sullivan 1958 )

Buddy Holly and The Crickets performing "Oh, Boy!"
Live from New York on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Original undubbed audio.

[oatmealman]

"Oh, Boy!" was considered to suggestive and aggressive to Mr. Ed Sullivan that he did not want it to be performed on his show.
Sullivan told Buddy to play something else but Buddy refused, this argument escalated to where Sullivan mispronounced his name and turned down the volume of his guitar.
Notice 0:22 . Despite the audio hiccup the shows ratings were great enough that CBS requested for Sullivan to invite Buddy back on the show. Buddy refused the invitation.

This footage captures the birth of Rock N' Roll in its most complete raw defiant form being performed by one of the genres greatest pioneers and innovators.

[ianarchibald]

Maybe that's what the actual rebel yell sounded like. Anyway, his interplay with his drummer was awesome.

[A_M_P_]

How great it would have been if Buddy Holly lived to make music in the 1960s, Hendrix in the 1970s, Lennon in the 1980s, and Cobain in the 2000s.

[smokesletsgo]

0:55 is absolutely brutal, totally metal

[jackcuneo]

Honestly, Buddy wouldn’t have let loose nearly as much during the solo if Sullivan hadn’t turned down his guitar mic. That was a Rock and Roll moment

[joeyfourpaws]

What we lost... So sad, what a talent.

[kennethconklin]

I smile so wide when he, EFFORTLESSLY says "im gonna see my baby toniiight". What a fucking gift he was!

[WurmisD]

Buddy playing the hell outta his dead axe, the wolf call is the icing on the cake.

[stevefaure]

Buddy burned it down, even with his guitar all but audible.

[jakeuhhb]

even playing it without the sound of his guitar. Probably could barely hear himself strumming too. It definitely pissed him off that Ed called him Buddy Holland and gave him such a assholish face before he preformed 😂

All because he dedicated Oh Boy! To the Boys back in Lubbock!

[ivanh]

Wow - He played it faster and more aggressive because he was pissed off with Sullivan. The solo around 1:01 is the basis of all the punk rock bands that came a decade later like the Stooges, New York Dolls, Pistols. And in 1958! You're looking at the true King here. Thanks for posting this.

[RandyR]

One of the True Pioneers of Rock n Roll. Was only 5 when he died but been a life time fan.. Gone but never forgotten!

[Furry]

I love his music but when I see him performing, I just smile. He was great.

[jk]

I love Elvis and I love Holly but anybody could see Holly would’ve been even more substantial for America. Massive loss.

[Realbillball]

I invent a time machine and tie this guy to a stool and hide him in the basement of the Surf Ballroom until that plane takes off.
Then he meets The Beatles some years later and they go into some studio in Abbey Road, London, UK.
I go to the slammer for a while in Clear Lake, being the only one to know that I might have severely changed the future of popular music.
I could have lived with that.

[jasonm]

It is amazing how much talent was lost in Hollywood and in music from the late 50’s to the late 60’s.

[starblaster]

I wouldn't be who I am today without buddy.

[pjungmann]

Buddy's defiance on doing this number reminds me of another's on the Grand Ole Opry in Dec.1941...when the opry didn't want drum sets on the stage....bring'em up front boys!

[calliecrider]

This is my favorite pitch and tone that he sung in. Don’t get me wrong I love his more fluffy stuff but I can’t help but love the rawness in his voice here.

[BeeBeeCJr]

Absolutely incredible. Such a big sound for such old audio! That resonance is great. Thank you so much for sharing this with us! He was taken far too early and spearheaded a world of change in music.

Thank you so very much!