norman and vi petty rock & roll museum

It's not well known the influence Clovis had on music. This museum is a great tribute to a grand age!

The Norm and Vi museum is fun, but probably not worth the trouble of going to Clovis. If you are going to be in town to see the Norm Petty Studios or are going to be driving through the area for some other reason the museum has some interesting displays. It is definitely geared toward people who are ardent (rather than casual) fans of Buddy Holly and the Norm Petty sound.

Sure, you´ll find Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock, Texas, but if you want the true story about this legendary musician you have to go to Clovis, two hours north across New Mexico stateline. Norman and Vi Petty Rock & Roll Museum downtown and Norman Pettys Recording Studio a couple of minutes away.We came there thanks to contact with Clovis new country star Will Banister and Modern Day Ramblers. I don´t think so many, even in music business, had an idea that the Buddy Holly story started in Clovis. In Pettys studio Buddy Holly made unbelievable 12 hits in 15 months, before The Day the Music Died: Febr 3 1959. Holly, Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens died in a plane crash in Iowa.Kenneth Broad, sound engineer at that time, gave us many secrets from the recording sessions. We even met David Bigham, once a member of The Roses, backgroundsinger to Holly, and also behind Roy Orbison in his first hit Ooby Dooby. Waylon Jennings made his first recordings in this studio. Fireballs was another big band. Great moments in the american music history. But this aint even mentioned in the movie Buddy Holly Story. What a shame.

it was a nice visit and we really enjoyed all the local history here. The place is in great condition and the staff was very knowledable.

We have driven by the Rock & Roll Museum many times while visiting relatives in Clovis and never thought too much about it. We also have driven by the Norman Petty Recordiing Studios nearby many times, also not thinking too much about it. My wife, being a native, knew that Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, and other legends had recorded here, but somehow we just never stopped by. So, at a class reunion, we made the visit. The experience was very, very moving. For those of us who grew up during the early rock 'n roll days of the late '50s and early '60s, this is a "do not miss" visit. For those who simply enjoy music of this era, it is equally enjoyable. The studio tour shows the studio control room, studio, and housing pretty much in its original state. The museum downtown has many, many memorabilia of this era. It is a little difficult to arrange for the complete tour, but if you are in Clovis for any reason, it is well, well worth the effort.

A lot of people probably know the history that the Pettys brought to rock and roll as we know it today. Great musicians in their own right, they pioneered a unique sound. The museum has an extensive collection of memorabilia that is striking in its sheer breadth of influence. You could dash through it, but is there is a lot of materials to read as you walk through.

This museum is downtown in the historic section of Clovis NM in the basement of the Chamber of Commerce.The cost was a nominal fire of $5.00 each. It is well worth it for music enthusiasts of the days of Buddy Holly. It has a replica of the Norman Petty's recording studio. It has exhibits of instruments, posters, radios, records, old record players, juke boxes, and pictures of the old time artists who came through this little town. Well worth the trip.

We had just seen the Buddy musical in England before our visit so felt we should call in here to find out a bit more about the Pettys.This is a great museum,beautifully set out,lots of information and some really cool artifacts from the era.We also enjoyed the short film.Highly recommended for all music fans

Even if you don't know of Norm Petty, you will likely have heard some of the songs recorded in his studio. There is an interesting history of Norm Petty's dream to have a recording studio, how he accidentally hooked up with his wife who was also a singer, and the numerous musicians he worked with. The video is definitely worth the time; maybe takes 15 minutes. Buddy Holly songs like Peggy Sue were recorded with Norm Petty. Sugar Shack was another song recorded in Norm's studio and the unusual and distinctive organ part was added by Norm after the original take was done in the studio.

Hidden in the basement of the Wells Fargo bank on Main Street Clovis lies a great little museum of fantastic history of Clovis. The coolest thing I saw was a picture of Paul McCartney and his band Wings standing next to Norman Petty. Lots of stuff for a small price to pay.

This museam is $5 for adults to enter and you go in through the Clovis Chamber of Commerce. It is in the basement of the Chamber offices. It is absolutely fabulous to look around and see all of the history of rock-n-roll music that happened in Clovis. The museum is extremely well laid out and very interesting!

For a small town museum, this is a very nice stop and well done The museum honors Norman and Vi Petty, and the artists who recorded at the 7th St. Studio, including Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Roy Orbison, Buddy Knox, Waylon Jennings, Sonny West, Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs, Charlie Phillips, Jimmy Bowen, Johnny Duncan, Carolyn Hester, Chita Rivera and many others.