RAVE ON: Buddy Holly holds a prominent place in the music heritage of Lubbock, Texas — and the rock ’n’ roll world. No visit to Lubbock would be complete without a stop at the Buddy Holly Center, located in the historic Depot Enertainment District in the former Fort Worth and Denver South Plains Railway freight depot. Permanent exhibits, from items crafted by a young Buddy Holley to artifacts from his musical career, from the famous eyeglasses to belongings retrieved from the tragic Feb. 3, 1959, airplane crash are on display amid interactive features and Holly’s music. The center also houses the Texas Musician Hall of Fame and the Lubbock Fine Arts Gallery, and features a wide array of programs encompassing music, music history, the visual arts, and educational and outreach initiatives.

On the anniversary of Buddy Holly's birthday, Sept. 7, 2013, the relocated and restored home of Crickets drummer J. I. Allison opened its doors to visitors at the Buddy Holly Center complex; a self-guided tour is included with Center admission. View photos from the grand opening day of the Allison house here.

Across the way, inside the Buddy and Maria Elena Holly Plaza, the West Texas Walk of Fame features a larger-than-life Buddy Holly statue by sculptor Grant Speed. The Plaza, at the corner of Crickets Avenue and 19th Street, is open to the public dawn to dusk, year round.