The idea for Words of Love began with Roger Daltrey, who first proposed the project in 2017. Genesis Publications is honoured to have brought his vision to life in this definitive celebration of Buddy Holly: musician, songwriter and rock ’n’ roll trailblazer.
Created in partnership with María Elena Holly and the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation, this landmark volume explores Buddy’s life, music and enduring legacy, offering a remarkable perspective on the man behind the timeless songs. The limited edition comprises just 559 boxed sets, with original cover artwork created specially by Ronnie Wood, a foreword by María Elena Holly and an introduction by acclaimed music critic Greil Marcus. Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America share in the publication's proceeds.
The book brings together contributions from more than 80 of the world’s most influential musicians, including David Gilmour, Emmylou Harris, Robert Plant, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Townshend and Brian Wilson, who each explain what Buddy Holly means to them. Words of Love traces his enduring influence from his Texan roots and his work in the studio and on tour with the Crickets to his inner creative world and the final, innovative months of his life in New York City.
Buddy’s remarkable rise is presented through previously unpublished photography, handwritten lyrics, correspondence and personal items, accompanied by stories from those who knew him, including María Elena Holly.
The Luthier and Artluxe Copies are now fully subscribed. Fewer than half of the 500 Deluxe Copies remain available.
'Five hours after we'd known each other he popped the question. Buddy comes in with his hands behind his back, sat down and said, 'Will you marry me?' I said, 'Well, do you want to get married now, or after dinner?' – María Elena Holly
Genesis was granted extensive access to the archives of the Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock, Texas, and the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation, the world’s foremost custodians of Buddy Holly memorabilia and personal items, much of it entrusted by María Elena Holly.
A wealth of rare historical material featured in Words of Love includes Buddy’s glasses, writings and correspondence; his original gold discs for ‘That’ll Be the Day’ and ‘Peggy Sue’; his collection of 45s; and his sunburst Fender Stratocaster. The photographic archive encompasses recently unearthed portraits, live performances and private moments, many published here for the first time.
'We got to be very close friends with Buddy Holly and the Crickets, and he wrote a couple of things for us. 'Love's Made a Fool of You' might have been one. We had just learned to dress a little sharper ourselves and they noticed it, so we took them to all the places.' – Don Everly
Words of Love offers an intimate new perspective on Buddy Holly’s life and explores why his work continues to resonate with music lovers and musicians alike. Captions by María Elena Holly reveal the stories behind the images: their first meeting, Buddy’s spontaneous and warm personality, his aspirations as an actor and producer, and where he hoped to take his music next.
The book’s contributors discuss Buddy’s music, songwriting and live performances, and the influence he had on their own creative journeys. His writing, playing, pioneering recording techniques and determination to protect his rights continue to be felt throughout popular music.
Alongside these first-hand accounts are biographies examining each contributor’s artistic connection to Buddy, written by respected names in music journalism, including Bob Harris, Johnnie Walker, Mike Read, Paul Jones and Rona Elliot. The book also contains previously unpublished contributions from Paul Anka, Sonny Curtis, Don Everly, Dion, Larry Holley, Hank Marvin and Cliff Richard, among many others.
'His persona, his songs, his guitar playing, and those awesome harmonies still resonate with me today.' – Brian May
Words of Love includes contributions from more than 80 celebrated musicians welcomed as ambassadors of the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation. Among them are members of the Crickets Jerry ‘J.I.’ Allison and Sonny Curtis, as well as Buddy’s friends and contemporaries Paul Anka, Dion, Duane Eddy and Don Everly.
They are joined by an extraordinary roll call of musicians, including Eric Clapton, Dave Grohl, Emmylou Harris, Brian May, Van Morrison, Dolly Parton, Robert Plant, Keith Richards, Ed Sheeran, Bruce Springsteen, Sting and Pete Townshend, all of whom cite Buddy Holly as an important influence on their own careers.
Each contributor has provided a handwritten dedication to Buddy – their own ‘words of love’ – and is photographed with a unique guitar presented by the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation: a replica of Buddy’s 1943 Gibson J-45.
Presented to ambassadors in recognition of their support for the Foundation, each guitar is named after a song Buddy recorded, performed or demoed. Its hand-tooled leather cover pays tribute to the one Buddy created for his own guitar, inspired by Hank Williams and Elvis Presley. The ambassadors write, record and perform with these bespoke instruments, helping to keep Buddy’s music and memory alive.
Since 2018, the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation has supported Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America. A portion of the proceeds from sales of Words of Love benefits these two charities.
The Buddy Holly Educational Foundation preserves and promotes Buddy Holly’s legacy, ensuring that his music continues to inspire future generations of fans and musicians. Its mission is to realise Buddy and María Elena Holly’s dream of extending access to musical education – including songwriting, production, arranging, orchestration and performance – to young people regardless of income, ethnicity or learning level.
Numbered 1 to 500, each Deluxe Copy is signed by Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend.
The book is quarter-bound in brown cloth, with black and sonic-blue foiling and gold page edging. Ronnie Wood’s artwork, created exclusively for the project, is screen-printed onto the front cover. Each book is presented in a handmade sonic-blue clamshell box.
The Deluxe Copies also include a previously unpublished 8" × 10" photographic portrait of Buddy Holly. The print is hand-numbered, blind-stamped with Buddy’s signature and suitable for framing.
Completing the boxed set is an exclusive 7-inch vinyl single:
A-side – ‘Words of Love’ Demo
Recorded at Norman Petty’s studio in Clovis, New Mexico, on 12 March 1957.
B-side – ‘Words of Love’ Remix
When Buddy and the Crickets returned to Clovis on 9 April 1957 to record the master, they first laid down a basic track of vocal, rhythm guitar and drums. This exclusive remix recreates, as closely as possible, how that initial recording would have sounded.
Deluxe Boxed Set: Limited to 500 numbered copies
Signed by: Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend
Binding: Quarter-bound in brown cloth with black and sonic-blue foiling and gold page edging
Page extent: 408 pages
Presentation: Handmade sonic-blue clamshell box
Extras: Exclusive 7-inch vinyl single and a hand-numbered, blind-stamped 8" × 10" photographic print
In order to make investing in one of our limited edition books or prints easier, we offer an interest-free option to spread the cost.
For purchases over £150, the payments are spread over three months. For example, for a purchase of £360, £122.40 would be paid today, followed by two instalments of £118.80.
Genesis will dispatch your item once the last instalment is paid.
Genesis launched Buddy Holly: Words of Love with the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation at the Orangery in London – the fitting location where Paul McCartney hosted the first Buddy Holly Week, 50 years ago in 1976.
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Born out of a conversation with Roger Daltrey, who first conceived the idea of Words of Love back in 2017, Genesis Publications is honoured to publish the definitive celebration of musician, songwriter and rock and roll trailblazer, Buddy Holly.
Since 1974 Genesis has created signed limited edition books on behalf of authors and artists ranging from the Beatles to Buckingham Palace.
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