1) Buddy Holly was an influential American musician and singer-songwriter in the 1950s who helped pioneer the rock and roll genre. 2) He learned guitar and singing from his siblings and was influenced by gospel, country, and rhythm and blues. He began performing locally in 1952 and formed a band called "Buddy and Bob" the following year. 3) In 1955, after opening for Elvis Presley three times and shifting his style to rock and roll, Holly signed a contract with Decca Records with help from a Nashville scout.