Buddy was already realizing his talent at 22, having achieved success as singer, songwriter, bandleader, producer and performer. He made great music that influenced almost every rocker to come, most importantly the Beatles.
His ambition was in many ways more far-reaching than anyone of his time. In addition to the above, before he died he was trying to start his own music publishing firm to ensure full control of his art and career. It's almost certain he'd still be involved in music to some degree in 2006. His 1959 death was a horrible loss.
The Purple Gang wrote:Jerry Allison, also of the Crickets, says that Buddy taught Elvis the song 'Money Honey' one night at the Cotton Club in Lubbock.
Bless JI, but it's unlikely this ever happened. If so, one can see Elvis playing "Money Honey" to Holly, as it was a part of Elvis, Scotty and Bill's set very early on.
"Money Honey" spent
eleven weeks at #1 on the R&B charts in late 1953, issued by the great Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters on the Atlantic label. Elvis probably bought a copy on 78 for Christmas.