“We were both kids, neither one of us thought Rock’N’Roll would last. He even stated this in his interview. As Canada’s first deejay to play rock & roll in 1954, it was my pleasure to emcee the “Show Of Stars” which featured Buddy Knox, Jimmy Bowen, Frankie Lymon, Eddie Cochran, The Everly Brothers, Paul Anka and Buddy.
As the first DJ to list “That’ll Be The Day” in Cashbox magazine in 1957, Buddy felt I was the one most responsible for launching the career of The Crickets. He recognized this during the interview. At that time, 12 DJs in North America contributed our most requested hits, ten in all, to Cashbox. For historical purposes you will find that this information tells the true story in that it was the first chart appearance of any kind for “That’ll Be The Day”.
Buddy was one of the nicest people I have ever met. He was fun loving & relaxed, who could have been a chum that I had gone to school with. Even the tough touring schedule did not bother him as it was an exciting time, a time of innovation, a time of youth. In those days, they did two or three songs, and then on to the next act. It’s interesting to note that after his untimely death I added a new facet to my own career & began booking Rock & Roll acts. In 1962,63 and 64 I booked The Crickets in the Vancouver area & became friends with Sonny & JI...a friendship that has survived to this day. I will always treasure my meeting with Buddy. There was only one...he is gone but his legacy lives on.”
The interview aired on his “Teen Canteen” program the next night on CKWX radio Vancouver & ran as recorded.
This photo has popped up many times in books...credited as being Jerry Lee Lewis & Buddy! There definitely is some resemblance.
