Participating in Words of Love are over 80 iconic musicians welcomed as ambassadors of the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation over the course of the last decade. This book has been in the works for six of those years, and throughout this time, many ambassadors have contributed to this project. Words of Love includes contributions from Crickets Jerry 'JI' Allison and Sonny Curtis and friends of Buddy, Paul Anka, Dion, Duane Eddy and Don Everly. An incredible roll call of some of the world's most famous musicians are taking part, including Joe Bonamassa, T Bone Burnett, Eric Clapton, Elvis Costello, Mickey Dolenz, The Edge, Noel Gallagher, Vince Gill, Dave Grohl, Emmylou Harris, Debbie Harry, Julian Lennon, Brian May, Van Morrison, Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, Robert Plant, Keith Richards, John Sebastian, Ed Sheeran, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Pete Townshend, among many more - all of whom cite Buddy Holly as a central influence on their own incredible careers.

 

Illustrating their text, each contributor has provided a handwritten dedication to Buddy, their own 'words of love', and each is pictured today with a unique guitar gifted to them by the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation - a replica of Buddy's own 1943 Gibson J45. This special guitar is gifted to ambassadors in recognition of their work supporting the Foundation, including this project, each named after a song Buddy either recorded, performed or demo'd. Each instrument features a leather cover, hand-tooled in tribute to the one Buddy made himself, inspired by the legendary Hank Williams, and of course, Elvis Presley. The ambassadors write, record and perform with these bespoke instruments and by doing so keep the memory of Buddy alive.

  

The ambassadors talk about Buddy Holly's music, songwriting and live performances, and how his music shaped their own journeys. His writing, his playing, his pioneering recording methods and his willingness to protect his rights are all felt today, and so much music simply wouldn't exist without him. From his contemporaries to the future generations he inspired, Genesis and the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation are lucky to have an incredible array of ambassadors who help to promote Buddy Holly's legacy.

 

Alongside these fascinating accounts are biographies examining each ambassador's own artistic relations to Buddy, written by some of the most respected names in music journalism, including Bob Harris, Johnnie Walker, Mike Read, Paul Jones and Rona Elliot. Also included is unpublished text from Paul Anka, Sonny Curtis, Don Everly, Dion, Larry Holley, Hank Marvin and Cliff Richard, among many more. 

The Deluxe copies are quarter-bound in apple leather and cloth with black and sonic blue foiling and gold page edging. The front cover is screen printed with artwork created exclusively for this project by Ronnie Wood. 

Each numbered copy is signed by Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend. Additionally, Deluxe copies include a photographic print of a previously unpublished portrait of Buddy Holly. Hand-numbered and blind-stamped with Buddy's signature, the print is suitable for framing (size: 8" x 10").

Completing the boxed set, an exclusive 7-inch vinyl pressing features two rare home recordings made by Buddy Holly. 

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Page extent: 300+ pages
Binding: Quarter-bound in apple leather and cloth with black and sonic blue foiling, presented in a sonic blue clamshell box
Signed by: Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend
Extras: 7-inch vinyl containing rare recordings; numbered and stamped 8" x 10" photographic print of Buddy Holly
Deluxe Copies: 500 copies