Brian May released a tribute to the late rocker Buddy Holly, who died 63 years ago, with a cover of his 1957 hit “Maybe Baby.”
May’s rendition of “Maybe Baby” is one of the bonus tracks on the deluxe reissue of his second solo album Another World out April 22, which includes the remastered album, along with a collection of rarities, live tracks, remixes, and covers like “Maybe Baby,” a song May first heard when he was 10 years old, and one he said had a profound effect on him and his development as a musician.
Videos by American Songwriter
“I’ve never done a Buddy Holly song, and I did ‘Maybe Baby,’” said May in a statement. “That song more than probably any other is the reason that I’m here doing this, playing guitar and being a rock star and being a very fortunate person.”
To accompany the release of “Maybe Baby” is a video featuring Brian May’s fan art, known as Bri-Art, reflecting the Queen guitarist’s career with a visual nod to T.E. Conway, also his birth name.
Written by Holly and producer Norman Petty and credited to Holly’s group The Crickets, “Maybe Baby” was featured on the group’s 1957 debut The “Chirping” Crickets, and reached No. 17 on the US charts and No. 4 in the U.K. upon release.
“I heard Buddy Holly make that incredible sound on his guitar, that clang, singing that beautiful song, hearing those wonderful harmonies of the Crickets,” added May. “And it completely motivated me. I just thought, ‘That’s what I want to do. I want to be able to make music that does that to people, makes them feel this kind of yearning, makes them feel this joy and passion.’”
Photo: Richard Gray / Duck Productions
More Latest Music News & Stories
-
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 11: Firefighters salute in front of a memorial at FDNY Ten House during a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2026 in New York City. The United States is marking the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, when a group of al-Qaeda hijackers flew airplanes into the World Trade Center, Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon, killing nearly 3,000 people. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) -
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 30: Graham Nash performs onstage during the FIREAID Benefit Concert for California Fire Relief at The Kia Forum on January 30, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images for FIREAID) -
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JUNE 07: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white.) (L-R) Luke Bryan and Riley Green attend day four of CMA Fest 2026 at Nissan Stadium on June 07, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Robby Klein/Getty Images for CMA) -
Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images -
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 14: In this image released on October 14, Garth Brooks performs onstage at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards, broadcast on October 14, 2020 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/BBMA2020/Getty Images for dcp) -
Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images -
SALINA, KANSAS – AUGUST 06: (L – R) Elwood Francis, Frank Beard and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top perform at Stiefel Theatre on August 06, 2025 in Salina, Kansas. (Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images) -
BERLIN, GERMANY – JULY 20: American singer Alison Krauss performs live on stage during a concert at the Zitadelle Spandau on July 20, 2022 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Frank Hoensch/Redferns)