Jerry Allison”J.I.” Allison passed away August 22, 2022 at his home in Lyles with his wife, Joanie, by his side.

J.I. was born August 31, 1939 in Hill County, Texas. He was raised in Lubbock, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, J.D. “Buddy” Allison, Louise (Ferguson) Allison and his brother, James D. Allison.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joanie, as well as numerous friends, and fans.

J.I. was a Rock and Roll pioneer. While still a teenager in the mid-1950s, along with Buddy Holly, he formed The Crickets and with his compositions, “That’ll be the Day,” “Peggy Sue” and “Not Fade Away”. The group became one of the most successful of the late 1950s. After Holly’s death in 1959, the group continued its success with J.I.’s composition of “More Than I Can Say” and other recordings such as “I Fought the Law.” The Crickets were a viable entity until their retirement in 2012.

J.I. was a highly innovative and influential drummer remembered for his unique drumming on “Peggy Sue” and “Not Fade Away”. He recorded and performed with some of the biggest stars of the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s: The Everly Bros., Bobby Vee, Johnny Rivers, Roger Miller, Waylon Jennings, Glen Campbell, Paul McCartney and others. He was a member of the Nashville Walk of Fame, the Nashville Musicians Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

J.I. and Joanie own a farm and he loved farming and animals. He loved life and enjoyed it to the fullest. He will be exceedingly missed by many.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.