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MAY2006
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That'll Be the Day...

Had the National Recording Registry been in existence when Buddy Holly released his classic song of bitter love, Holly might have said, "That'll Be the Day" the recording ever gets onto the list.

Photo from "Remembering Buddy: The Definitive Biography" by John Goldrosen and John Beecher, Penguin Books, New York, 1987 Cover of "Are You Experienced?" (1967), by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Reprise Records, R-6261

But the 1957 record has made the list, along with 49 others this year. There are now 200 titles in the National Recording Registry, which aims through its annual selections to highlight, according to the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000, works that are "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant" and worthy of preservation. Registry recordings must be at least 10 years old.

Other Registry recordings from the rock era are Jimi Hendrix's extraordinary 1967 debut album, "Are You Experienced?" featuring not one but five classic tracks: "The Wind Cries Mary," "Hey Joe," "Foxey Lady," "Purple Haze" and "Fire."

The new additions range from these famous works to such obscure but important recordings as Beethoven's Egmont Overture, performed by the Modesto High School Band in 1930 -- one of the earliest extant high school band recordings; "Jole Blon" (1946) recorded by Harry Choates, who is credited with introducing Cajun music to a national audience; and "Schooner Bradley" (ca. 1952-1960), by Pat Bonner, which is reflective of the music of the Great Lakes sailors at the end of the schooner era.

There are also many nonmusical recordings on this year's list, such as the first official transatlantic telephone conversation, on Jan. 27, 1927; Orson Welles' narration of former Librarian of Congress Archibald MacLeish's chilling "Fall of the City"; and the 1962 address delivered at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point by the man many call America's greatest writer: William Faulkner.

Who chooses the Registry's recordings? The Librarian of Congress, James H. Billington, makes the final selections. But he is guided by the National Recording Preservation Board, which accepts nominations from the public. If there's a recording you think deserves recognition, why not submit a nomination?


A. Photo from "Remembering Buddy: The Definitive Biography" by John Goldrosen and John Beecher, Penguin Books, New York, 1987. Reproduction information: Not available for reproduction.

B. Cover of "Are You Experienced?" (1967), by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Reprise Records, R-6261. Reproduction information: Not available for reproduction.