Peggy Sue Gerron, the inspiration behind the Buddy Holly song, has died

2 October 2018, 13:06 | Updated: 10 October 2023, 13:51

Peggy Sue Gerron
Picture: Getty

The real-life inspiration behind one of rock and roll's greatest songs has passed away.

Peggy Sue Gerron, who was the inspiration for Buddy Holly's iconic song 'Peggy Sue', has died at the age of 78.

Peggy Sue was a high school student when she became something of a celebrity thanks to Buddy Holly’s release of her namesake song in 1957.

Buddy Holly namechecked her in his ballad, though she was in a relationship with Jerry Allison, the drummer for the Crickets.

Her son-in-law, Tom Stathos, explained how the song originally wasn’t about her: “It was originally going to be Cindy Lou (Holly’s niece) and that he (Allison) wanted to impress Peggy Sue so he got Buddy to change the name."

Buddy Holly - Peggy Sue Live

“That song will probably be stuck in my head forever,” her grandson Jeff Rackham added to Fox19.

Peggy Sue went to Lubbock High School in Texas with Buddy Holly, and married Allison after graduation.

After her divorce from Jerry Allison, Peggy Sue became a dental assistant. She later remarried and had two children, and spent the majority of her life caring for her family.

Peggy Sue was also a celebrity speaker, radio host, and columnist.