Drummer Jerry “J.I.” Allison, the last surviving original member of Buddy Holly's band the Crickets, died on August 22nd at 88. In addition to his drumming duties for the Crickets, he co-wrote their two biggest hits with Holly — “That'll Be The day” and “Peggy Sue” — which was named after Allison's eventual first wife.
Allison and Holly formed the group in their hometown of Lubbock, Texas and were part of a much larger support team that encircled the band’s songwriting and studio work. Holly, Allison, late-bassist Joe B. Mauldin, and early guitarist Nikki Sullivan, eventually recorded under both the band moniker and “Buddy Holly” for two different labels. The Crickets parted ways with Holly in 1958, but according to numerous sources were to reunite once Holly got back off the road in 1959.
According to several sources, including then-Buddy Holly touring bassist Waylon Jennings, Holly's post-tour plans were to reconvene with the Crickets and carry on with then-current guitarist Tommy Allsup on lead guitar. Holly was also planning on starting his own record label — Prism Records — and signing Jennings as its first artist.