The Crickets
- Band members included Buddy Holly, Jerry Sullivan, Niki Sullivan, and Joe Mauldin
- Hit songs include "That'll Be The Day," Peggy Sue," "Oh Boy," "Not Fade Away," "Maybe Baby," "It's So Easy," "I Fought The Law," and "More Than I Can Say"
- Members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
In a career that has spanned nearly five decades and millions of records, The Crickets are unquestionably "The American Rock and Roll Band." Since the group's founding in 1957, they have influenced virtually every major rock performer in the United States and abroad.
The Crickets were formed in Lubbock, Texas by Buddy Holly and J. I. Allison, with Niki Sullivan and Joe B. Mauldin joining shortly thereafter. Niki left the group after the first tour to pursue a solo career. Buddy, J. I., and Joe B. toured and recorded extensively until late 1958, when Buddy moved to New York. J. I. and Joe B. decided to stay in Texas and asked Sonny Curtis to join the band.
Their hits "That'll Be The Day," "Peggy Sue," "Maybe Baby," and "I Fought The Law" are bona fide rock classics and considered primary lessons in how rock music should be written, played and enjoyed. In the mid '70s, J. I., Joe B., and Sonny relocated to Tennessee where they continued their long association with Waylon Jennings and began touring and recording with him. Since then, they have also continued to record and issue albums including a critically-acclaimed musical tribute to Buddy Holly which they recorded with Levon Helm and the Band entitled "Not Fade Away" released on Decca Records.
Their latest release, "The Crickets and Their Buddies," features Eric Clapton, Rodney Crowell, Phil & Jason Everly, Nanci Griffith, Waylon Jennings, Peter Case, Albert Lee, Graham Nash, Vince Neil, John Prine, Johnny Rivers, J.D. Souther, and Bobby Vee.
Joe B. Mauldin passed away in 2015 and "The Crickets & Buddies" performed a year after his death in Clear Lake, Iowa as tribute, at the site of Mauldin's last performance.
Inducted to the Music City Walk of Fame on April 22, 2007.
