A chronicle of the rise and brief career of rock 'n' roll star Buddy Holly, who aspires to play music the way he wants it to sound. Holly and his band, the Crickets, are first invited to record in Nashville, where they encounter creative differences with the producing staff. Later they play a major booking at the Apollo Theater, scheduled there under the mistaken assumption that they're a black band. Holly's career eventually goes solo -- until the tragic day the music dies.
Gary Busey
as Buddy Holly
Don Stroud
as Jesse Charles
Charles Martin Smith
as Ray Bob Simmons
Conrad Janis
as Ross Turner
William Jordan
as Riley
Maria Richwine
as Maria Elena Holly
Amy Johnston
as Cindy Lou
Dick O'Neill
as Sol Gittler
Fred Travalena
as Madman Mancuso
Neva Patterson
as Mrs. Holly
Arch Johnson
as Mr. Holly
John F. Goff
as T.J.
