Words of Love: Buddy Holly

Conceived in 2017 from a conversation with Roger Daltrey, Words of Love by Genesis Publications is the definitive celebration of musician, songwriter and rock and roll trailblazer Buddy Holly. Created in partnership with Maria Elena Holly and the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation, this seminal volume offers an intimate look at Buddy's life, music, and lasting legacy, revealing the man behind the timeless music. Words of Love features over 400 rare and archival items, including photographs, personal letters, handwritten notes, clothing, iconic glasses, guitars, tour posters, recording agreements, and press cuttings, and much more—many of which are previously unpublished.

Through these artifacts and an extensive collec:on of rare and never-before-seen photographs, Words of Love charts the unusual rise of a musical pioneer who defied conventions and shaped the future of rock and roll. With forewords by Maria Elena Holly and Paul McCartney, and afterword by Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, Buddy’s legacy is recounted through the voices of those who knew him best. Bandmates Jerry 'JI' Allison and Sonny Curtis, as well as friends like Paul Anka, Dion, Duane Eddy, and Don Everly, share their memories alongside insights from over 80 influential musicians, including David Gilmour, Emmylou Harris, Van Morrison, Dolly Parton, Robert Plant, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, and Brian Wilson.

From his Texan roots, to his work with the Crickets, to his final months of innovation preceding his tragic death, Words of Love unravels the complexities of Buddy Holly’s life and celebrates his enduring influence on music history.‘Buddy was playing the lead guitar, which we loved, but he was also singing it, which we loved, and he’d wriSen it, which we loved. So on a number of levels he was very inspirational.

He became a hero for us and gave us the idea to go and do it ourselves.’ – PAUL McCARTNEY‘You could learn from Buddy Holly how to write songs, the way he put them together. He was a beau:ful writer.

The greatest. And I mean that – the greatest.’ – MICK JAGGER‘I’ve worked with so many people in music and I just know we’d have collaborated if things had been different.

You can hear Buddy’s musical ideas across the whole spectrum of music. Everybody is inspired by something he did!’ – NILE RODGERS‘I play Buddy Holly every night before I go on.

It keeps me honest.’