BUDDY & THE CRICKETS' MOTORBIKES

Buddy Holly & The Crickets were riding high on the charts with "Rave On" and" Maybe Baby"
on May 13, 1958 when they finished a long tour and flew to Love Field to buy some motorbikes
in Dallas, Texas. They would have a larger selection than their hometown of Lubbock.

Buddy, J.I. and Joe B. first went to the East side of Downtown Dallas where there were
numerous bike shops on Main & Elm Streets. They did not get very good treatment at these
shops as the salesmen thought they were just some kids taking up their time and had no idea
who they were and that they had their pockets lined with cash.

In fact, they first visited a Harley Davidson store where the salesman told them not
to touch the machines and insinuated that they leave the store!

After receiving treatment like this at these shops, they took a cab to the
Ray Miller Triumph Motorcycle Sales at 3600 W. Davis.
Cockrell Hill residents Mr. & Mrs. Ray Hill recognized them, and were most accommodating
to the three West Texas hit-makers, so Buddy & The Crickets each decided on a bike they wanted.

Buddy picked an Ariel Cyclone, J.I. got a Triumph Trophy, and 
Joe B. decided on a Triumph Thunderbird, all the latest 1958 models.
Each was priced at over $1000 which the guys paid for with cash.
After a trip back to show off to the Harley dealer,
they then drove them home to Lubbock (approx. 350 miles).

J.I.'s recipt for the bike, license, and helmet

After Buddy's death, his father rode it often, then sold it to a man in Lubbock.
It then went to a fan in Austin, and in 1979 The Crickets bought it from him
for a birthday present to Waylon Jennings. It was up for sale when the Jennings
family had an Estate sale, but did not sell and is now still with the Jennings family.


 
1979 photos

Side-note:
Buddy had previously owned a Triumph motorbike for which he received a ticket
in August of 1956 for riding it without a muffler.

Photos & information courtesy Steve Bonner
and from Bill Griggs' "Buddy Holly - Day By Day" #4
Receipt & '58 photo courtesy of J.I. Allison