Buddy Holly Statue is an eight-and-a-half-foot-tall bronze monument standing at 1824 Crickets Avenue in the Depot Entertainment District of Lubbock, Texas. Unveiled in 1980 and sculpted by New Mexico artist Grant Speed, the statue operates as the centerpiece of the West Texas Walk of Fame, honoring Lubbock native Charles Hardin Holley—known worldwide as rock-and-roll pioneer Buddy Holly. Positioned directly across from the Buddy Holly Center, the outdoor memorial draws music historians, road trippers, and rock fans from around the globe who come to photograph the larger-than-life likeness of Holly playing his signature Fender Stratocaster and to explore the surrounding bronze plaques celebrating the musical legacy of the South Plains.
What to Expect at Buddy Holly Statue
When you step onto the brick plaza at the corner of 19th Street and Crickets Avenue, the first thing that catches your eye is the elevated bronze sculpture of Buddy Holly mid-performance. Sculptor Grant Speed captured the 22-year-old musician in his classic stage attire—a tailored suit, thin tie, and unmistakable heavy-rimmed Wayfarer-style glasses—strumming his 1950s Fender Stratocaster. Originally dedicated in May 1980 near the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, the statue was relocated to its current home on Crickets Avenue in 1999 to anchor the city’s revitalized arts and music corridor.
Surrounding the pedestal is the West Texas Walk of Fame, an outdoor plaza overseen by Civic Lubbock, Inc. that inducts songwriters, performers, and visual artists who have shaped the cultural identity of the region. Visitors can stroll along the curved brick walkways to read engraved granite and bronze plaques honoring more than 90 inductees. Because the plaza is completely open to the public 24 hours a day with no admission fee, you can take your time examining the biographical inscriptions, admiring the public art, and framing photos with the statue against the wide West Texas sky.
- Grant Speed Bronze Sculpture: An 8.5-foot bronze figure of Buddy Holly crafted in 1980 by Western and figurative sculptor Grant Speed, depicting the singer wearing his trademark horn-rimmed glasses and playing his Fender Stratocaster.
- West Texas Walk of Fame: The surrounding brick plaza initiated in 1979 and dedicated alongside the statue, featuring plaques for regional legends including Waylon Jennings, Mac Davis, Roy Orbison, Bob Wills, Sonny Curtis, and the Crickets.
- Crickets Avenue Streetscape: Located directly on Crickets Avenue—renamed by the City of Lubbock in honor of Buddy Holly’s band, The Crickets—offering an iconic street-sign backdrop for music photography.
- Annual Walk of Fame Inductions: Civic Lubbock hosts public induction ceremonies on the plaza, continually adding new West Texas musicians, educators, and arts patrons to the walk.
- Nighttime Plaza Illumination: Evening floodlights illuminate the bronze patina of the statue and the surrounding brick walkways, allowing visitors to stop by for quiet viewing and photography after dark.
Buddy Holly Statue at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1824 Crickets Ave, Lubbock, TX 79404 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Depot Entertainment District / Downtown Lubbock |
| Operating Hours | Open 24 hours daily (Monday through Sunday) |
| Admission / Price Range | Free admission ($) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 20 to 45 minutes |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Free street parking on Crickets Ave and 19th St; Citibus Route 5 & Downtown Transfer Plaza nearby |
| Official Website & Phone | civiclubbock.com | +1 806-775-2242 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
For the best photography light on the bronze statue, arrive in the morning between 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM or during the late afternoon golden hour before sunset, when the harsh midday West Texas glare softens across Holly’s face and guitar. If you want to combine your visit with the museums across the street, plan to arrive between Tuesday and Saturday during daytime gallery hours. Free surface parking is readily available in the lot adjacent to the plaza and along Crickets Avenue, and Citibus public buses serve the nearby Downtown Transfer Plaza on Broadway. The entire Walk of Fame plaza is flat, paved in brick and concrete, and completely step-free, making it effortless to navigate with wheelchairs, mobility scooters, or strollers.
The statue’s location makes it the natural starting point for a broader music history tour of Lubbock. Directly across the intersection at 1801 Crickets Avenue sits the Buddy Holly Center, housed in the historic 1928 Fort Worth and Denver South Plains Railway Depot, where you can view Holly’s actual horn-rimmed glasses recovered from the 1959 Clear Lake plane crash site, his Fender Stratocaster, and the relocated J.I. Allison House. Just a five-minute walk north along Buddy Holly Avenue brings you to the Depot Entertainment District’s restaurants, craft breweries, and live music venues, including The Blue Light Live and Cactus Theater. A ten-minute drive southeast on 50th Street leads to the City of Lubbock Cemetery, where Buddy Holly’s gravesite is marked by a carved granite guitar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the operating hours and best times to visit the Buddy Holly Statue?
The Buddy Holly Statue and the surrounding West Texas Walk of Fame are located in an open-air public plaza that is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Visiting on Tuesday through Saturday between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM allows you to step straight across the street into the Buddy Holly Center after viewing the monument.
Does it cost anything to visit the Buddy Holly Statue and Walk of Fame?
No, visiting both the Buddy Holly Statue and the West Texas Walk of Fame is completely free of charge, and no tickets or reservations are required. Free public parking is also available right next to the plaza along Crickets Avenue.
How much time should I budget for a visit to the statue?
Most visitors spend 20 to 45 minutes photographing the Buddy Holly Statue and reading the bronze plaques along the West Texas Walk of Fame. If you also plan to tour the adjacent Buddy Holly Center across 19th Street, budget a total of 1.5 to 2 hours for the neighborhood.
Is the Buddy Holly Statue wheelchair accessible and family-friendly?
Yes, the plaza features wide, level brick and concrete walkways with curb cuts directly from the adjacent parking area, providing smooth step-free access for wheelchairs and strollers. Families with children and road-trippers with leashed pets can comfortably explore the outdoor grounds year-round.
When planning your Lubbock travel guide or browsing verified attractions in Lubbock, pair this stop with standout local spots including The Co-Op Public House, Cast Iron Grill, Montelongo's Mexican Restaurant, and Buddy Holly Center (nearby).
