Peggy Sue has upset the late Buddy Holly’s widow. Holly’s real name was Charles Hardin Holley. His song, Peggy Sue, was a blockbuster in 1958-1959. He died in a plane crash in 1959, almost 50 years ago.
The real Peggy Sue — Peggy Sue Gerron — has now written a book entitled Whatever Happened to Peggy Sue.
Holly’s wife, Maria Elena, claims the book is, “unauthorized and will harm her late husband’s name, her own reputation and that of her company, Holly Properties,” according to Associated Press.
Gerron, who lives in Lubbock, said she and another woman wrote the 283-page book because 2008 is the 50th anniversary of the release of ‘Peggy Sue.’
According to the AP story, “Gerron said material for the book came from about 150 diary entries she wrote during the time she knew the singer.
“In 1955 Peggy Sue began dating Jerry Allison, Buddy Holly’s best friend, drummer for the Crickets. Soon, she too forged a close friendship with Buddy and when she married Jerry, Buddy found himself a bride, too. But on the double honeymoon that followed, things changed dramatically.
“Buddy’s tragic death, leaving a beautiful young widow, and his 22 years of life have been hung in fantasy and fiction.
“Maria Elena Holly said she would sue if excerpts she’s read online appear in the book, which is due in bookstores later this month. ‘I don’t understand why people do that, especially when she knows that people know the truth.’
“This week, Maria Elena Holly’s attorney, Richard Wallace, sent a cease-and-desist letter to TogiEntertainment Inc., an Oklahoma City-based publishing house. Wallace declined to comment Friday.”
I just ordered the book and can’t wait to read it. I think a lot of Buddy Holly’s story has not been told and will be glad to get a perspective that is not Maria Elena Holly’s version of the story.
I just finished reading the book and have to say that it is a story that has been long overdue.
Although, there will be a lot said about the negative experiences related in the story, that is not the focus of the book. Peggy Sue and her co-author have crafted a well-written account of an average teenager thrust into the spotlight by a song bearing her name.
The people she has written about are portrayed not in mythical terms or made the subject of character assassination. They are depicted as individuals, complete with their strengths and weaknesses.
Her story helps us to understand why some things happened the way they did, about 50 years ago.
If we read ‘Whatever Happened to Peggy Sue?’ with the objectivity with which it was written, we will have a better understanding, not only of her life, but also some of the ones she has known and cared for, or were hurt by.
It’s an honest book that considers the decisions that can be made in one’s life and the consequences that can follow us for the rest of our lives.
What tells the whole story is that Buddy Holly loved and married Maria Elena.
Gerron claims to have 150 entries in her diary about Holly.
Why?
Holly married Santiago.
I don’t doubt many are hopping mad for fifty years because Maria Elena has the rights to Holly’s name and they don’t like it.
I think Maria Elena will win ins a lawsuit seeing any judge in his right mind wouldn’t rule in Gerron’s favor.
Maria Elena was his wife!
That tells it all!