That'll Be The Day by Buddy Holly released on Coral, a subsidiary of Decca records 1961, valued at £40

CHARLES Hardin Holley was born in Lubbock, Texas, 1936. In his initial contract with his band The Crickets, Decca records misspelled Holley's name as Holly. From then on he was known as Buddy Holly. If you asked any band or singer in the sixties who was their biggest musical influence, the answer was always Buddy Holly. John Lennon idolised him, Paul McCartney, Keith Richard, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, The Hollies, who named themselves after him, and so many others rated him head and shoulders above anybody else. He made a major impact in the UK when he performed a 55-day tour in the spring of 1958, which was completely sold out, the highlight of which was appearing on Sunday Night At The London Palladium. Eric Clapton has often been quoted as saying, "When I saw Buddy on stage playing a Fender guitar, that was the moment when I realised what I wanted to do with my life." As most of us know, Clapton is acknowledged as one of the finest rock guitarists in the world.

What made Buddy Holly so unique is that he was the first who not only wrote his own songs, but knew how they should sound and insisted on producing them whenever he could. He also recorded songs with a full piece orchestra, the first were Raining In My Heart, Moondreams and It Doesn't Matter Anymore; his relationship with girlfriend Echo Maguire had come to an end, which is why these particular songs are so heartfelt. Buddy later met Maria Elena Santiago, asked her out on a date and proposed marriage that very same evening. She accepted and he wrote the song True Love Ways for her, which is recognised as his finest ballad.

Every single record he ever made was either a hit for himself or for other artistes. In his short recording career, which lasted barely two years, he made more than 80 recordings, 50 of which he wrote himself. His music is still played today; new bands are still recording their versions of his great songs. The stage production The Buddy Holly Story is currently touring the UK. It is completely sold out and extra dates have had to be added. Buddy died aged 22, his musical legacy just makes you wonder what he might have achieved, had he lived.

Other recordings - The Chirping Crickets/1958 on the Coral label. First pressing £150, second pressing £100