Maria Elena: My Life with Buddy (Buddy Holly), Interview by Don McLean 

one of the best ( rock n rollers) of all time... my hero..

God bless Buddy and yourself. British music owes a huge debt to Buddy and the guys. What a beautiful love story. TRUE LOVE WAYS.

I grew up in Lubbock, TX and I've seen first hand the politics surrounding a city that would love to properly honor Buddy Holly and the greedy roadblock that is Maria Elena. The city of Lubbock has planned on many occasions to hold an annual Buddy Holly Festival. You can only imagine the roster of live acts from all over the world who would love to participate and perform at such an event. Not to mention the tourism that would be a such a boost to the Lubbock economy. When the city of Lubbock opened negotiations for the use of Buddy's name for the festival, she demanded so much money that it became impossible to even pay for it, and all plans had to be abandoned. In fact, for over 50 years, almost every plan that Buddy's hometown ever conceived to honor him had the same results - with the exception of a small museum call the Buddy Holly Center and naming a street after him.

Rave on is my favorite Buddy Holly song - I was 13 years old when he died - & I still enjoy his music immensely - Play his tapes. Even got my kids to enjoy his great music . I am sure to see him in Heaven & listen to a song or two!

they love each other that all that matters.

I hope Maria Elena knows Buddy's still got fans. I've been a fan since I was 13.

true love ways the best song buddy ever sang ,and nobody today can do it justice, fact.god bless buddy .

Thank you for sharing! He is one of my favorite musicians

Thank you Maria Elena.I am nearly 52 years old and Buddy and his music will always be part of who I am.My dad and me used to sit and play guitar together.The chords from the beginning of Dearest (um oh yeah) were the ones I learned at 7 years old.Was lovely to visit the family grave last summer

Buddy Holly never died,his life just did the " Fade Away". And please,no harsh or cuss words in comments of Buddy's songs. He does not deserve that.

SO VERY,VERY SAD! RIP BUDDY! 🙏

Great music very good songs Buddy`s dream that his music will live forever is true. Hope he knows what his music means too people. Thanks for the story

Great! Thanks Buddy!

she was so pritty

The background music is too loud.

Too Young to Die, What an Amazing Talent that wad Lost, All the #1s he could have Written, that never came to Be, His music I Love, he Was during Lifetime a Great Musician, Composer,Producer..... Rest in Peace Buddy Holly.

To be quite honest, I hate hearing people speak so poorly of her. Do you really think a young woman can be THAT conniving? It shows how little respect people have. When she met Buddy (and honestly, during his life as well), he wasn't that successful. He had a few singles, but he was no where near the enigma he is today. When she met and married him, I'm almost positive that she didn't know the impact he would have. While I certainly agree that perhaps his family should have gotten the rights to his name, I think she deserved it as well. Buddy loved her, some people (Peggy Sue) insinuate that he was going to get a divorce but I don't see that. And personally, Peggy Sue's story makes me feel uncomfortable and I don't buy much of it. The song "Peggy Sue" was originally for Buddy's niece Cindy Lou, but the name was changed so Jerry Allison could win her back after a fight (they eventually got married). I don't think Peggy and Buddy were in love, if anything, it was unrequited on her part and it sickens me to hear of her potential slander. And for the people who don't buy the pregnancy story because "no one else knew about it", most women don't tell friends or family about their pregnancies until they're somewhat farther along just to be certain. It makes sense that no one else would know. Grief miscarriages are very real. And Buddy had gone on that tour because his partner had cheated him out of a lot of money. Do you know what requires money? Families. I fully believe that MEH was pregnant. I've heard before that Buddy's family members weren't too fond of MEH, but that makes sense. HE asked HER to marry him after one date. I'm sure she wasn't close to his family at all. A lot of his friends and band members liked her. The worst thing Waylon Jennings had to say about MEH was that she wasn't a good cook. Who cares if she didn't attend his funeral, my mother didn't attend my father's. It pained her. And who cares if she has yet to visit his grave, after 18 years, my mother has only visited my father a handful of times. Shockingly, people do ache. I think they were young and in love when he died and it's a shame that so many people refuse to respect her over rumors that will never be confirmed. Instead of bashing the woman, making racist remarks, and referring to her as a gold digger, why don't you try and respect the woman that this music idol loved.

Don interviewing Maria? Well, it's the natural thing to do when you've written a song about what had happened to Buddy the night of the tragic crash that did him, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper in. February 1959 really made Don shiver.

Beyond the hate Buddy Holly was an awesome talent, undimmed by the time that has passed! Maria Elena was a grieving widow, not going to a funeral is really minor.

Buddy was just Brillient as you will know if you have had his Records he did so he will always be Great and Always very much loved.Jenny.

We all love you, Charlie

God bless you, fellow widow warrior woman. We will always cherish and protect the memories of our dear husbands.

I have always been a Buddy Holly fan. Thank you for such a valuable insight. Being a novice guitar player, I am ordering a Fender Stratocaster 1957 remake that looks like the one that Buddy used. Expensive but worth it to me.

@:35 secs I see where fellow West Texan Roy Orbison got the style for his own dark glasses.

HOLA MARIELENA YO NO HABIA NACIDO CUANDO BUDY MURIO PERO EL Y SU MUSICA A LLEVO EN MI CORAZON DESDE SIEMPRE DESDE Q ERA PEQUEÑO LO ADMIRO Y LO QUIERO MUCHO ES MI CANTANTE DE ROCK AND ROLL FAVORITO

Buddy Holly is my favourite RnR artist-is GREATEST-Jerry fom the Czech Republic -Prague -born 1959

The background music became so loud that we couldn't hear the interview.Maria Elena was trying tell her story but the music drowned her voice out.

I read somewhere that she didn't go to the funeral because she felt guilty encouraging Buddy Holly go on the winter tour

if i am correct his wife was Puerto Rican. I thought she was pregnant but lost the baby soon after the accident

@stitchesful according to the reports i've read, she miscarried. The Big Bopper and his wife were expecting a kid as well and the Bopper kept talking about the new baby ( The kid eventually went on to become the Big Bopper jr and does tribute shows to honor his dad.).

So many bad comments on here about Buddy's wife but no evidence to back up the claims. Sad that rumours can be spread around and the story gets changed over the years as to what really happened. It's like people making up the conversation that happened on the plane on the night of the 3rd of February 1959. The night of the crash. Making up what was said etc..... Now we hear bad things about Buddy's wife that she was only out to cash in on Buddy's fame. Where's the proof on that?

@asgaard636 The last song he did that night was "Brown Eyed Handsome Man."

thanks for kicking in the door for us in texas. i'm alive and well in Lubbock texas Elisdee

buddy was one cool cat ,God bless you .

RIP Maria Holly

I wanted to listen, but the background music is far too loud!

Was "Rave On" the last song that Buddy Holly performed at the Clear Lake Show?

#BuddyHolleyIsAwsome

Background music is too loud!

I would have loved to hear her story. As much as I love Buddy Holly, the music over powered her story and I couldn't hear her.

The music is too noisy in the background

Buddy married Maria Elena Santiago in August 15th she is Mexican his manager petty disapproved of the marriage and advised Buddy to keep it a secret to avoid upsetting his females fans

@dddykstra1 she actually married again and had three children, and then got divorced.

@Steamaddict1603 I've also heard that she miscarried. I just wasn't wanted to know if anybody knew for sure. I've also heard the same things about the Big Bopper. Thank God at least one of those unborn children lived!

02:37..so handsom

She came right out on recording and lied about her honeymoon. She said Peggy Sue and Jerry didn’t go with them. Several people including Larry Holley have come forward and said they all went together. They even have photos that went up for auction and receipts proving it.

His legacy could not be in better hands.

hey come on people buddy loved his wife he only just met her and he wanted to marry her on there frist date and he wanted to marry her so don't put her down and she lost the baby she was carrying to him with the shock of hearing on radio they had been killed nobody came to tell them they had to hear it on radio like we did

Wheres the mc lean part ???

@stitchesful The Boppers kid lived Buddy's kid died.

regardless of how anyone else feels about her, Buddy loved her and that should be enough.

whether she was pregnant or not has always been a topic of debate among "the Holly faithful". quite frankly, I don't think that it really matters (my personal opinion is that it's hard to believe that a 22 year man is about to have a child and NONE of his friends are privy to that... - all of Holly"s friends say that Buddy mentioned nothing about his future child... you do the math) we lost a genius, humanity lost more, we lost joy...

For those commenting about Buddy Holly's 'kid' - there's no proof Maria Elena was p.g. - just her word & she says she was only a 'few weeks' pregnant. How many women know when they are only a few weeks? Especially back then. When she remarried, Buddy Holly's rights to his music should have gone to his Mother & brothers. Maria Elena only knew Buddy a couple months when they married & he proposed the night of their first date. They were only married 6 months when he died - so I doubt she knew him very well - definitely, not like his old friends. The more I read about MEH, the more I see a money hungry woman who is using Buddy's music to make her life comfortable. I find Peggy's story very convincing, especially since she kept a diary that others had read & confirmed it was written about years ago. Too bad BH didn't make sure someone he trusted would have control over his music, instead of leaving it up in the air. Of course, I don't think he expected to die so young either. But, for a 'wife' to not even attend her own husband's funeral or ever go to his grave, tells me a lot about the woman who says she loved him. The only thing MEH loves is the $$ she makes off of being Buddy's widow.

Does anyone know if Maria Elena ever gave birth to the baby she was pregnant with when Buddy died? Did she miscarrie or did she have the baby? What a horrible shock to find out your husband has been killed while you're pregnant with his child! The poor woman. But she seems to have adjusted to the tragedy and still been able to live a fulfilling life. Good for her!

@Saffron49 maria elena is definitely not married again there bud

Okay so two possible scenarios. Maria was pregnant and lost the baby. Or she wasn’t and made the whole thing up so she had ammo to sue, which she did and won $$$.Because of that, legislation was passed making it mandatory for law enforcement to tell loved ones before telling the press. I think it’s awful the way she found out.

I read an article where she sued his parents to get some of his memorabilia, I know as a spouse you’re entitled to many things, but at what level is it determined it’s all about money? I’m sure his parents wanted part of his estate as well.

People forget that Buddy was on tour because Norman Petty WOULD NOT GIVE HIM HIS MONEY...Petty had his name all over Buddy and the Crickets on every record to make sure he received credit and MONEY for their work and talent. All interviews with Waylon Jennings and Sardo told of how the boys were treated during the winter tour ...the broken down, heatless buses...the crazy zig zag touring schedule....and even when Buddy, Ritchie and the Big Bopper died... the surviving ...shocked...devasted musicians were promised money and tickets to get them to Buddy's funeral were all lies...they had heartless conniving managers ONLY interested in getting their money for the tour while these young musicians were being EXPLOITED....GREED KILLED Buddy, Ritchie and the Big Bopper. Maria Elena is only defending her husband's legacy from the greedy Norman's of the music industry....if Lubbock isn't happy with MEH perhaps the city representatives are not negotiating with her because she's Hispanic , and a woman ...so they do not respect her enough to offer a fair deal for a Buddy Holly event. Lubbock was not like Buddy ....accepting of all people regardless of race, he had to intervene for his back friends at hotels and restaurants and for Matia Elena, as well...reason why MEH never wanted to settle in Lubbock...they didn't like her when Buddy was alive and obviously much less after his death. I don't blame MEH for holding her ground with greedy Norman's. Here in the RGV of TX...God bless y'all's hearts.

It's frustrating at how young he was and how his recording career had only be going for less than 2 years before it ended. It feels like he should be able to finish his career and his life properly but unfortunately that's not how it works. It's awful.

God

Sadly, I think you're right. And with her being genuinely a nice person upon temperament and being pretty he, like many others fail to see it upon marrying a foreigner. She literally only knew him for 7 months, like she REALLY "knew" him.

My uncle and aunt shouldn’t be treated so bad

Buddy and Maria stayed at our motel in 1957 and mother made them cheese sandwiches and milk ☺☺🍼🍼🍼🍵☕🍪🍪🍪🍪

he great. and should of stayed with his wife

@stitchesful She miscarried not long after Buddy's death.

would buddy still be married to her to this day ??? no one can answer that question?

to say his wife was out for his money is insane. buddy was not making that much as it was. he took the gig because he was cash poor. the rights to his songs were sold of coarse after his death so how much did she actually get?

I don't think she was pregnant. I think he was going to leave her and DID have divorce papers drawn up. My irrelevant opinion. I think he still had his mind on Echo but of course he couldn't have her but found out how Miss Maria was and WANTED TO MOVE ON. I'm glad she knew him, but he probably felt trapped. But I wasn't there, so again, what the hell do I know? Just my stupid a** speculations.

Maria was his wife. She was legally entitled to it ALL. Whatsamadder wid u?????

@thinchris Good one. That isn't funny.

@sassymonkey719 You mind? Show some damned respect for Pete's Sake..

Did buddy Hollys parents like their daughter in law didn't she also besides losing her husband miscarriage as well was there acceptance of her background I am just being a little supportive in case she wasn't at the time of her losses

Really?

She does have a rather strange, emotionally flat voice. I don't expect her to be broken up, at this point; but a little-nuanced inflection would be nice. To hell with the idiots; who begrudge her, her money, though.

This woman was the original Yoko …..destroyed our best musicians by their own controlling and self centered ways