Lapham, Bob 1998-06-12

Bob Lapham, a resident of Abilene, Texas, discusses his relationship with Buddy Holly and the social issues surrounding them at the time. He also gives a brief biography of himself and of Buddy Holly.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Bob Lapham

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: June 12, 1998

Location: Abilene, Texas

Interviewer: David Marshall

Length: 45 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1: Bob Lapham, b. February 4, 1935, Abilene, Texas, Parents: L.R. and Gladis Lapham, Father: sheet construction for West Texas Utilities, Texas Tech University – 1953 - 1957, Mechanical Engineering, Business Administration, Vietnam War Draft, Served six months active duty, Traveled back home to Abilene – 1959, Careers, Oil Field Supply Business – Wichita Falls, Texas, Married in 1960 – Mary Lapham, Careers (again), Snyder, Abilene – 1966, Sportswriter for The Brownsville Herold, 1967, Sports Editor – Valley Freedom Newspapers, 1968, Sports Director – 1968 - 1973, Brownsville – Managing editor for a small newspaper, 1975, Abilene – Sports editor and news director, late 1975, Arts and Entertainment Editor – Retires in February 2000, Art Scene, Galleries, Museums, Theatre, Television Editor, Texas Tech University, Drama Major, Buddy Holly, Movie – Buddy Holly Story, Music, "American Pie"- song lyrics, Bob Dylan, Rolling Stones, Opinion, Sophomore year at Texas Tech University, Job – Check liner at First National Bank of Lubbock, John Pickering – close friend, Varsity Show – Plays that were student produced and directed, Fraternity – Phi Gamma Delta, Auditions, Good News – 1920’s musical, Buddy Holly - 1957, Producer and Manager – Norman Petty, First Record, First Baptist Church, Lubbock, Bill, John, and Bob – Buddy Holly’s back-up singers, Bill – Disc Jockey, John – Petroleum Engineering Major, Nikki Sullivan - The Crickets, KLLL – Interview with Buddy, First radio station to play Buddy Holly in Lubbock, Texas, Album – "Oh, Boy", "Maybe Baby", "Tell Me How", The Crickets – Top recording group in 1958, Mitch Miller – Columbia Records, 1 nationally released record with Columbia Records, Changes, John, Bob, & Bill leave the band, Bill sang at Buddy Holly’s funeral, Goals, Buddy was planning on opening a studio in Lubbock, Texas, Maria Elena, Buddy Holly’s wife, Personality, Strong willed, The Pics, Summer 1957, Rock and Roll band, The Crickets, Memories, Stories of Roy Orbison and Waylon, Competitive edge, Broken Promises, An unreleased song by Buddy Holly, Bob Lapham’s lifestyle, Outsider, Not very close with Buddy Holly, Limited social life, Buddy Holly’s traits, Quiet, Unique style, Guitar playing capabilities, Ed Sullivan Show, Buddy Holly’s appearance singing "That’ll Be The Day", Ed Sullivan could not afford to pay for the back up singers to perform, Buddy Holly went a second time to sing "Oh, Boy", Tour in England, Buddy performed without the back up vocals, audience was disappointed, Bob Lapham, His name was misspelled on the credits, Lubbock, Texas, Non Entity, Avalanche Journal showed no reaction to Buddy Holly, Conservative town, Memories, Stories.

Range Dates: 1935-1998

Bulk Dates: 1950-1960

Access Information

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