From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Sat Aug 31, 2002  2:14 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Jerry Allison
 
JERRY ALLISON (By Shaun Mather)

Born Jerry Ivan Allison, 31 August 1939, Hillsboro, Texas

Jerry Ivan "J.I." Allison is the affable drummer of the Crickets, the band
who made history both with Buddy Holly and on their own. Billboard once
voted him the third best drummer in rock history, although he wasn't
constricted to just the drum-skins, some of his most memorable moments
have come courtesy of cardboard boxes and even slapping his thighs.

J.I. was drumming with the small country band Cal Wayne and the Riverside
Ranch Hands when he met Buddy around 1952. They began to play together
and within 4-5 years had formed the Crickets, a name which J.I. now owns ;
such is his everlasting love and pride in the group.

It's thought that he co-wrote more songs with Buddy than he was given credit
for, but he is named fair and square on their first big hit, That'll Be The
Day. Another of their biggies, Peggy Sue was written for J.I.'s wife Peggy
Sue Gerron. J.I. and Peggy Sue shared a joint honeymoon with Buddy and
Maria Elena in Acapulco, Mexico. The whole thing behind that song is the
drum beat which is so memorable and catchy. J.I. recorded a few songs for
release under his own middle name, Ivan, one being a cover of Johnny
O'Keefe's Real Wild Child (Oh You Beautiful Doll, b-side) which crept into
the charts (# 68). The follow-up Frankie Frankenstein fared less well.

The Crickets and Buddy split in October 1958, not helped by the involvement
of manager/producer Norman Petty. They were supposedly due to reunite in
Feb. 1959 when Buddy was tragically killed. The Crickets had numerous
successes in the '60s with J.I. only missing for a brief spell when he was
with Uncle Sam. The group then parted in 1965 but reformed for albums
every few years.

His artistry wasn't confined to Buddy/Crickets though. Together with Sonny
Curtis he played on Eddie Cochran's last studio session and was a regular
fixture with the Everly Brothers circa 1960. He was a top session-player on
the West Coast during this time, playing for Johnny Burnette and Johnny
Rivers among others. He toured with Bobby Vee, Roger Miller and toured
and recorded with his great friend Waylon Jennings.

The Crickets became particularly high profile again during the late
80's/early 90's, being regular visitors to Europe where they have retained a
strong fan base. Together with long time Crickets, Joe B. Mauldin, Sonny
Curtis and Glenn D. Hardin they are highly approachable characters who are
only too willing to spend time and chat with their fans. J.I. is truly one
of the great guys of the first rock generation and seems like a friend to
everyone who meets him.

Recommended listening:
I don't think you need me to recommend any Holly/Crickets stuff - just
listen.