01/12/2017 Owasso native, Tommy Allsup passed away Wednesday at age 85. In his early career, Allsup was a long time guitarist for rock and roll icon Buddy Holly.
Allsup was well known for his impressive guitar skills, but he may be best known for a fateful coin toss that once saved his life. When Allsup was on tour with Holly, Valens, and Richardson, Buddy Holly offered Richie Valens’ seat on a chartered plane to Allsup. Wanting to be fair, Allsup flipped a coin to see who would get the seat. Valens won the coin toss, and Allsup road by bus with the rest of the band. The plane carrying the other musicians crashed near Clear Lake, Ohio, killing everyone aboard.
Over the years, he collaborated with dozens of artists, including Roy Orbison, Kenny Rogers and Willie Nelson.
If you are a fan of TV’s “The Voice,” you would have seen Allsup’s son Austin in last seasons competition.
The Owasso Historical Society on Main Street has Allsup information and memorabilia displayed at their Main Street Location.
