ROCK Sex: "That'll Be The Day" - John Wayne > Buddy Holly > The Beatles > David Essex

ROCK Sex says seize the day.

Today, "That'll Be The Day" has its day!

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In the classic Western THE SEARCHERS (1956), John Wayne snarls the disgusted phrase, "That'll be the day."

Here's a trailer for the film. The narration is unintentionally comical as it portrays Wayne as Manifest Destiny on legs with hard nationalistic zeal. In truth, this film undermines that '50s jingoism by showing Wayne as an obsessive zealot who might kill his own daughter out of bigotry, and the tension of the film lies in whether he will.

THE SEARCHERS scene, (1956)


THE SEARCHERS had a huge effect on young filmgoers who went on to become major filmmakers, like Spielberg, Lucas, and Scorsese.


Out in Texas Buddy Holly was taken by that phrase and made one of the best Rock'n'Roll songs ever with his band.

BUDDY HOLLY -"That'll Be The Day" (1957)

Local Lads Make Good:
George Harrison, John Lennon, and Paul McCartney

Over in Liverpool, this became the first song ever recorded by a local combo called THE QUARRYMEN. They had some other great songs afterward and are remembered fondly by many.

THE QUARRYMEN -"That'll Be The Day" (demo, 1958)



The Western film also gave the name to the British Invasion band The Searchers. Here's a lesser-known single with a great touch of fuzz to it. Why does this relate really? Because the original song was recorded by The Hollies who, you guessed it, got their name from Buddy Holly.

(See, everything is connected. By the way, I'm your third cousin. How about a fiver?)

THE SEARCHERS -"Have You Ever Loved Somebody?" (1966)



Bringing it full circle, Buddy's song title inspired a film about the 1950's Rock scene in England. Spurred by the success of AMERICAN GRAFITTI and the debt of Glam Rock to classic Rock'n'Roll, the film stars Ringo Starr (a later drummer for The Quarrymen) and David Essex.

THAT'LL BE THE DAY scene (1973)



© Tym Stevens

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See Also:

• Revolution 1950s: The Big Damn Bang of Rock'n'Roll!

• BUDDY HOLLY: Rock's Everyman and His Disciples, with 2 Music Players!

• THE BRITISH INVASION!, with Music Player!


• "I Fought the Law and I Won!" - The Crickets > Bobby Fuller > The Clash > Metric


• The Real History of Rock and Soul!: The Music Player Checklist

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LADIES FIRST: "Needles and Pins" - Jackie DeShannon > The Searchers

LADIES FIRST hips you to classics that 'she did first'.

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"Needles and Pins" and "When You Walk Into the Room" were first done by Jackie DeShannon.

This Kentucky singer-songwriter-guitarist is much beloved in many hip circles for her crack tunes and cool range; her rockabilly barnburner "Trouble", her pop smash with Bacharach's "What the World Needs Now", her Beat music classic "Dream Boy" (with boyfriend Jimmy Page), her counterculture anthem "Put A Little Love In Your Heart", and for writing the classic "Bette Davis Eyes".

("Needles and Pins" was written by Sony Bono with Jack Nitzsche, the great arranger and producer. "When You Walk In the Room" is by Jackie DeShannon.)


JACKIE DeSHANNON -"Needles and Pins" (1963)



THE SEARCHERS are hardly slouches either. They made their fame interpreting Jackie's two songs, but have a wealth of great ones of their own, spanning from Beat into Psychedelia. You can always count on this band for catchy guitars and shining harmonies.

THE SEARCHERS -"Needles and Pins" (1964)

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Jackie's sound here was heavily influence by the guitar jangle of The Beatles, whom she was touring with.

JACKIE DeSHANNON -"When You Walk In the Room" (1963)



THE SEARCHERS -"When You Walk In the Room" (1964)



"I can hear guitars playing lovely tunes
Every time that you walk in the room
Trumpets sound, I hear thunder boom
Every time that you walk in the room"


© Tym Stevens

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See Also:

-WOMEN OF ROCK: The 1960s, with 2 Music Players

• THE BRITISH INVASION!, with Music Player!


• LADIES FIRST: "I Can't Let Go" - Evie Sands > The Hollies

• LADIES FIRST: "Can't You Hear My Heartbeat?" - Goldie And The Gingerbreads > Herman's Hermits

• LADIES FIRST: "I Go To Sleep" - (The Kinks) > Peggy Lee > Cher > The Pretenders


• The Real History of Rock and Soul!: The Music Player Checklist

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