Paul McCartney has lifted the lid on the ways Buddy Holly helped shape The Beatles in their formative years in a new book about the rock and roll musician. The hardback version of Buddy Holly: Words of Love came out this week. In it fans can see photographs of the singer that have never been released before, as well as tributes that have been paid to him by some of the world’s biggest artists.

One of the previously unseen images that is featured in the book shows Holly in a 1954 yearbook photo – without his signature glasses. In another rare shot he can be seen performing in an oversized white jacket during his 1957 tour in Florida supporting Hank Thompson. Alongside the momentos and touching words from singers Holly impressed, the hardback chronicles his rise from a local Texan talent to an international star.

The author wrote about significant events that happened throughout his music career, including his early radio performances at just 14, his 1955 tour supporting Elvis Presley, and his eventual breakthrough with The Crickets. But what fans might be anticipating the most is the part where McCartney pays tribute to the way his famous boy band was influenced by Holly’s sound. He wrote: “The first time I ever heard Buddy Holly was when That’ll Be the Day came out.

“It sounded energetic. I thought it was a black band, and we [The Beatles] couldn’t figure out how they did it. It was Buddy Holly and the Crickets. He was playing lead guitar, which we loved, but he was also singing on it, which we loved, and he had written it, which we loved.”

The guitarist went on to share that Buddy Holly became a “hero” to The Beatles, adding: “So on a number of levels, he was very inspirational. He…gave us the idea to go and do it ourselves.”

This isn’t the first time McCartney has acknowledged the effect Buddy Holly had on The Beatles. He has even credited the musician for inspiring the band’s name with his group’s insect related moniker (The Crickets). The sincerity of Holly’s songwriting style also impacted McCartney’s approach to music, and he went on to write songs such as Love Me Do and Please Please Me with lyrical hints at the older musician’s influence.

Buddy Holly: Words of Love also features tributes from Eric Clapton, Dolly Parton, Bruce Springsteen, and Keith Richards. Each of them has spoken about what Holly’s music meant to them personally. Clapton praised him for giving “hope to millions of kids with glasses”. Meanwhile, Parton gushed about the timeless quality of his music, stating: “Buddy Holly was one of the greatest talents ever. His songs are as up-to-date now as they were 60 years ago. I loved Buddy – still do.”