Buddy Holly USA Discography: The EP’s

By Bob Pakes

 

Welcome to the first installment in a series of discographies dedicated to one of the true pioneers of rock ‘n’ roll music: Charles Hardin Holley, better known as Buddy Holly.

On this page, we’ll take a look at the EP’s that were released in the USA in the 1950’s and 60’s. During Buddy’s lifetime, his records were released simultaneously as The Crickets (a vocal group), and as Buddy Holly (a solo artist). The EP’s that were put out before Buddy’s death in February ’59, were released on 3 different labels: on Brunswick (2 EP’s), on Coral (1 EP), and on Decca (1 EP). The posthumously released EP’s in 1959 and during the 1960’s, were all on Coral (4 EP’s). In this discography, we’ll also mention the different pressings of these EP’s that are known to exist.

 

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The Chirping Crickets

Brunswick EB 71036 | November 27, 1957

 

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The Sound Of The Crickets

Brunswick EB 71038 | January 12, 1958

 

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Listen To Me

Coral EC 81169 | February 20, 1958

 

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That’ll Be The Day

Decca ED 2575 | April 14, 1958

 

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The Buddy Holly Story

Coral EC 81182 | February 20, 1959

 

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Peggy Sue Got Married

Coral EC 81191 | June 25, 1962

 

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The Crickets

Coral EC 81192 | February 25, 1963

 

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Brown Eyed Handsome Man

Coral EC 81193 | July 23, 1963

 

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Additional information:

– That’ll Be The Day is featured on two of the above EP’s. The version on The Chirping Crickets (Brunswick EB 71036) was recorded in February 1957 and includes The Crickets, while the recording of the song on That’ll Be The Day (Decca ED 2575) dates back to July 1956 and includes The Three Tunes.

– Notice that the final three American EP releases have consecutive catalog numbers (Coral EC 81191, EC 81192, EC 81193) and all carry the same back cover. The release of these EP’s, however, was spread out over the course of one year.

– Of the four songs on The Crickets (Coral EC 81192), only one features Buddy Holly, It’s Too Late.

 

Keep an eye out for the next part of our Buddy Holly Discography, in which we’ll take a detailed look at the 45’s that were released in the USA during Buddy Holly’s life, when no less than 17 singles saw the light of day within the space of 33 months!
Soon on Echoes!

 

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