Red Umbrella Project #49:  Buddy and the Aliens

Mural in the Art District (a prophet hath no honor in his hometown)

 

 

that'll be the day

 

Some 15 years ago, as part of the Regis Corridor Beautification Project, the north row of houses facing Regis Avenue was razed. Since Regis is the connector to I-27 from the airport, the purpose was  to make the first and last impressions of Lubbock for airport passengers more attractive.  The removal of houses left the alley and fences in view of travelers.  The original project planned for landscape plants and flowering trees on the south side of Regis -- that never happened.  So one resident has provided his own welcome sign for Lubbock visitors.

 

900 Block of Regis

Lubbock, Texas

birthday greetings

 

Today would have been Buddy Holly's 79th birthday.  The Buddy Holly Center celebrated with live music (playing Buddy tunes of course).  Bundt cake and root beer was available (and real beer at the cash bar).  Lubbockites came out to wish this native son a happy birthday.

 

Buddy Holly Center

Lubbock, Texas

the day the music died

 

There were crowds of people today playing tribute to Buddy Holly on the 56th anniversary of the fatal plane crash.  The trolley leaving the Buddy Holly Center was packed with people wanting to see the significant Buddy Holly sites in Lubbock. The sculpture created by the late Steve Teeters replicates the glasses worn by Buddy that fateful day.  Those glasses, now on display in the museum, sat in a manila envelop in the sheriff's office in Mason City, Iowa for 21 years.  When discovered, they were returned to Maria Elena who placed them in Buddy's hometown for the fans to view.

 

Buddy Holly Center

Lubbock, Texas