Waylon Jennings released dozens and dozens of songs throughout his career, which spanned more than 40 years. But one of his most personal songs was "Old Friend." Released in 1976, the song is about Jennings' sorrow of his good friend, and tour boss, Buddy Holly. Holly was killed in a plane crash in 1959.
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The lyrics of "Old Friend" give a glimpse at Jennings' sorrow.
"Was it really years ago / It seems like only yesterday," Jennings sings. "The last time that I saw / You laugh at me and fly away / I remember all of the good times / And the songs we used to sing / Old friend we sure have missed you / But you ain't missed a thing."
Holly produced some of Jennings' early recording sessions, when Jennings was just beginning. It was Holly who also hired Jennings to tour with him, giving him two weeks to learn how to play bass guitar.
Buddy Holly's Death
Jennings had just begun working with Holly, who hired him for The Winter Dance Party Tour. The band was supposed to take buses, but when the buses began to have trouble, Holly chartered a plane to get some of the members home. Jennings was originally planning on being on the airplane, giving up his seat to J.P. Richardson, also on the tour, at Richardson's request. The airplane crashed on February 3, 1959, killing everyone on board.
Holly's accident became one of the most pivotal moments for Jennings. Tragically, Jennings spent a long time thinking he had unintentionally caused the accident. When Holly found out Jennings wasn't getting on the plane, Holly joked, "I hope your a-- freezes on the bus," (via Steven Jones Music). To which Jennings replied, "I hope your old plane crashes."
"And God Almighty, for years I thought I caused it," Jennings says, admitting that the death of Holly changed every aspect of his life.
"I was a completely changed person," Jennings says, adding that he didn't want "anything to do with radio or guitar."
Surprisingly, Jennings even quit for a while. "I wouldn't even play the guitar; I wouldn't pick it up."
