Kindred-spirit blogger Gerard van der Leun has a regular nostalgic feature of posting “Boomer Anthems,” i.e. old Rock & Roll classics. This week, it was a real winner, with the Stones, circa 1964 and looking like high school kids, covering the Buddy Holly favorite on American TV. Brian Jones joking about Mick Jagger’s “ambivalence” is priceless and you marvel that the joke was actually broadcast back in that so much more innocent era.

Followed by the middle-aged and already pretty wrinkly Stones’ circa 1994-1995 Voodoo Lounge version.

And finally, topped off with the Austin City Limits 2014 cover by a host of famous names, including Jeff Bridges no less.

I was nine years old and in 4th Grade when the Buddy Holly original came out. This one seems a pretty appropriate protest choice as Gerard’s generation and mine finds itself well along in the process of fading away.

Buddy Holly 8 September 1936 — 3 February 1959.

The legendary Charles Hardin Holley —aka “Buddy Holly”—- would’ve turned 80 today. Born this day in Lubbock, Texas in 1936.