OK, now we are comming up to the landmark 50th anniversary (3rd Feb 2009)and a chance to add further thoughts. No doubt there is gonna be some media coverage and BBC Radio 2 have a prog on Sat night(31st Jan) 7pm called "Cryin', Waitin', Hopin'". In terms of his short career, his output was quite prolific, and I'm sure, enduring.
We have the shows, tours, films, & TV progs which have provided some insight to his life, and of course Don MacLean's American Pie had an impact on the publics awareness of the man and his music.
The music has endured for 50 years and surely that is significant!

Bradfordian