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On this day in history, September 7, 1936, legendary singer-songwriter Buddy Holly is born in Lubbock, Texas

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On this day in history, September 7, 1936, legendary singer-songwriter Buddy Holly is born in Lubbock, Texas

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Legendary American singer and songwriter Charles Hardin Holley — known to the world as Buddy Holly — was born on this day in history, Sept. 7, 1936, in Lubbock, Texas. 

The spelling change from Holley to Holly came about because of an error in a contract he was asked to sign, listing him as Buddy Holly, according to the website for “The Buddy Holly Story.”

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As the fourth and youngest child in his family, Holly was nicknamed “Buddy” by his mother, who felt that his given name was too big for her young boy, according to Biography.com.

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As a youngster, Holly learned to play piano and fiddle, while his older brothers taught him the basics of guitar. 

His parents were supportive of their son’s emerging musical talents, the same source indicated.

The African American rhythm and blues that he heard on the radio influenced him, according to Britannica.com. 

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Buddy Holly and the Crickets (from left to right), Joe B. Mauldin, Buddy Holly (with Fender Stratocaster guitar) and Jerry Allison, pose for a group shot on the set of the BBC television show “Off The Record” during their U.K. tour in March 1958. (John Rodgers/Redferns)

“Already well versed in country music, bluegrass and gospel and a seasoned performer by age 16, he became a rhythm-and-blues devotee. By 1955, after hearing Elvis Presley, Holly was a full-time rock and roller,” the same source chronicled.

The influence of Elvis made a huge impact on Holly, who was taken with the charisma and energetic, exciting sound of Elvis, said the New World Encyclopedia. 

Late that year, Holly purchased a Fender Stratocaster electric guitar and developed a style of playing featuring ringing major chords that became his trademark, which is most recognizable in the solo break in the tune “Peggy Sue,” said Britannica.com.

Elvis Presley made a huge impact on Buddy Holly. 

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Holly’s big break came when the band opened for Bill Haley and his Comets at a rock and roll show in Lubbock, Texas. 

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As a result of this performance, Holly was offered a contract with Decca Records to work alone. 

However, early success as a solo artist eluded him, according to New Work Encyclopedia. 

It’s been reported that Holly’s public name changed from “Holley” to “Holly” on Feb. 8, 1956 when he signed the Decca contract, the same source indicated.

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Jerry Allison (far right), drummer for Buddy Holly (center) and the Crickets, died at age 82 in August 2022. Joe B. Mauldin (1940–2015) is at far left.  (Harry Hammond/V&A Images/Getty Images)

Holly formed his own band, the Crickets, and began making records at Norman Petty’s studios in Clovis, New Mexico. 

Among the songs they recorded was “That’ll Be The Day.” 

After the release of several highly successful songs, in March 1958, he and the Crickets toured the United Kingdom, according the website for “The Buddy Holly Story.”

Holly wed Maria Elena Santiago on Aug. 15, 1958 — and in 1959, Holly split with the Crickets and began a solo tour with other notable performers including Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson, the same source said.

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On Feb. 3, 1959, Buddy Holly, along with J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson and Ritchie Valens, died in a tragic plane crash. 

Following the Feb. 2, 1959 performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, after mechanical difficulties with a tour bus, Holly chartered a plane for his band to fly between stops on the Winter Dance Party Tour, according to History.com. 

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However, Richardson, who had the flu, convinced Holly’s band member Waylon Jennings to give up his seat, and Ritchie Valens won a coin toss for another seat on the plane, the same source recounted.

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On Feb. 3, 1959, Buddy Holly, along with J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson and Ritchie Valens, died in a tragic plane crash. 

The crash happened a few minutes after takeoff from Mason City on a flight headed for Moorhead, Minnesota. 

Photo of Buddy Holly and the Crickets, circa 1958. Singer Don McLean forever memorialized Holly, Valens and Richardson in the 1972 No. 1 hit “American Pie,” which refers to Feb. 3, 1959 as “the day the music died.” (Steve Oroz/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Investigators blamed the crash on bad weather and pilot error, according to multiple sources. 

Holly was only 22 years old when he died.

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Holly’s headstone carries the correct spelling of his name, Buddy Holley, History.com reported. It also features a carving of his favorite guitar. 

The Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences opened in Lubbock in January 2021. 

Singer Don McLean forever memorialized Holly, Valens and Richardson in the 1972 No. 1 hit “American Pie,” which refers to Feb. 3, 1959 as “the day the music died.”

Holly’s talents continued to be noted even after his untimely death. 

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle

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“Unissued recordings and compilations of Holly’s work were released in a steady stream throughout the 1960s. Due to the continued popularity of his music and film adaptations of his life’s story, Holly’s horn-rimmed glasses are easily recognizable today,” said Biography.com.

His hometown of Lubbock Texas, also paid tribute to him. 

Downtown Lubbock has a “Walk of Fame” with plaques to various area artists such as Mac Davis and Waylon Jennings, with a life-size statue of a guitar playing Buddy Holly as its centerpiece. 

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Also, the Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences opened in Lubbock in January 2021. 

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Los Angeles, Ca

Pasadena motorist knocked unconscious in unprovoked assault after other driver flashes high beams at him

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Pasadena motorist knocked unconscious in unprovoked assault after other driver flashes high beams at him

A motorist was rendered unconscious after what authorities are calling an unprovoked attack that occurred after another driver flashed their high beams at him, authorities say.

According to the Pasadena Police Department, the victim, a 63-year-old man, was driving northbound on Raymond Avenue near Washington Boulevard when a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction flashed him around 1 a.m. Saturday. 

“The victim reported that he was driving northbound on Raymond Avenue from Washington Boulevard when he observed a vehicle traveling southbound flashing its high beams at him,” a Pasadena Police Department spokesperson confirmed to KTLA. “The victim stated he stopped his vehicle and exited. He was then assaulted by an unknown suspect. The assault was unprovoked.” 

The attack left the man unconscious and with a three-inch deep laceration to his head, police added. Upon regaining consciousness, the man transported himself to Huntington Hospital, and it was around 1:20 a.m. when police responded there to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon and began their investigation.

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Upon arriving at the hospital, the victim told police that, due to his injuries, he was not able to provide a description of a suspect, vehicle or the weapon used, nor was he able to tell police the exact location where the assault occurred, although it was confirmed to be somewhere near Raymond Avenue and Washington Boulevard. La Pintoresca Park is located near that intersection.

No further details were immediately available.

Anyone with any information on the incident is asked to contact the Pasadena Police Department right away. 

Sofia Pop Perez contributed to this report.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Woman killed by driver while crossing PCH in Long Beach

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Woman killed by driver while crossing PCH in Long Beach

A woman was struck and killed by a driver while crossing the street on Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach.

On June 3, the female pedestrian was using the crosswalk at Pacific Coast Highway and Pacific Avenue around 4:50 a.m.

She had walked against a red light and was hit by a 19-year-old driver in a Chevy sedan, Long Beach police said.

Despite lifesaving efforts, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.

A woman was struck and killed by a driver while crossing Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach on June 3, 2026. (Long Beach Police Department)

“At this time, impaired driving, distracted driving and excessive speed are not believed to be a factor in this collision,” police said.

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The woman’s name is being withheld pending identification by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information on the incident is asked to call Detective Joseph Johnson at 562-570-7355. 

Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Man wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico

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Man wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico

A man wanted for a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles was arrested and extradited from Mexico after fleeing the U.S. in 2024.

The suspect was identified as Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Authorities had been searching for him since the deadly incident on October 10, 2024. 

Rojas and a second suspect, Joshua Rojas Sr., 47, of Downey, were driving on the northbound 5 Freeway in Boyle Heights around 4 p.m. when they became involved in an altercation with another driver that escalated into a shooting.

  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, was arrested and extradited to the U.S. from Mexico on June 2, 2026, in connection with a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles. (California Highway Patrol)

Video of the tense confrontation showed the suspects, who were driving a Dodge Durango SUV, opening fire on two men in a Cadillac sedan. 

The shooting forced the victim to pull over abruptly. That’s when a suspect ran up to the Cadillac, opened the passenger-side door and fired several shots at close range.

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In a panic, the Cadillac driver tried to escape by making a sudden U-turn and driving against oncoming traffic. He eventually crashed head-on into several vehicles.

The suspects ditched their SUV and fled toward a freeway exit on foot. The Cadillac driver was left with serious injuries and his passenger was killed. Their identities were not released.

The incident caused a miles-long backup that left thousands of motorists stranded on the freeway for hours and authorities worked to clear the scene.

Following an extensive investigation, detectives identified the two men as the suspects involved. 

Joshua Rojas Sr. was arrested in San Bernardino on October 22, 2024, on a murder charge. He remains in custody awaiting trial.

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Meanwhile, Christian Rojas had fled the U.S. and was hiding in Mexico, detectives said. A $4.3 million bail warrant was issued for his arrest. 

“Through a coordinated international effort, investigators determined that Rojas was living in Palomo de Arriba, Mexico,” CHP officials said. “The U.S. Marshals Service worked with Mexican state police to locate and arrest him on the outstanding warrant.”

On June 2, 2026, Christian was arrested and extradited to the U.S. to face a murder charge. 

“This arrest demonstrates that time and distance will not shield violent offenders from justice,” said CHP Southern Division Chief Chris Margaris. “For nearly two years, our detectives remained relentless in their pursuit of those responsible for this senseless act of violence. Through exceptional collaboration with the United States Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners in Mexico, we located and apprehended this suspect and brought him back to face the charges. We remain committed to protecting the public, supporting victims and their families, and holding violent criminals accountable wherever they may try to hide.”

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