It remains a significant date among rock music fans: the first accidental premature deaths of its stars in the still new style when a single-engine Beechcraft 35 Bonanza plane crashed not long after take-off and took the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson.
Holly hired the plane in Clear Lake, Iowa to get to the next stop in Moorhead, MN, and hopefully catch some needed sleep and do his laundry. The “Winter Dance Party” tour of the midwest was certainly not a party for the performers. It was 24 shows in as many nights and long rides, sometimes overnight, in a cold, uncomfortable and primitive bus.
Holly originally figured his band members would take the two other seats in the four-person plane. Holly’s bassist was a friend and talented young artist in his own right from Lubbock, TX: Waylon Jennings. He let Richardson, who was suffering from the flu, have his place. It was a decision that haunted Jennings for the rest of his life.
Holly’s guitarist Tommy Allsup tossed a coin with Ritchie Valens for the other seat. Valens “won” the toss, so to speak.
The plane went down soon after taking off at about half-past midnight, crashing into a cornfield some seven miles from the runway. All three performers were thrown from the wreckage; pilot Roger Peterson died inside it. The cause was said to be spatial disorientation. Valens was just 17 years old; the “Big Bopper” was 28. Holly was 22.
Of course the music did not actually die sixty-three years ago today, but the sadness felt by the deaths of the three singers still lingers to this day. No one knows how much more music they would have given us but for today, let’s look back on a few of the songs they did leave … with an ending from Don McLean you had to know was coming.
Play button is on the left … Volume slider is on the right
The Day The Music Died
I can see why it was referred to as the Day the Music Died. This medley is an incredible example of their significant contributions to music history despite their young ages and tragic premature deaths. I honestly feel ALL of these songs are a part of me. You shared them with me as a child. You share them with all of us. YOU keep the music from dying and we couldn’t be more grateful! 🙂 XOXOXOXO 🙂
Thank you, Wendyl ❤️
You are definitely more musically knowledgeable than most people your age. You are not defined by any particular genre or one period of time. Perhaps it was the music you heard as a child or it just may be that you are naturally curious and you soak up this stuff like a sponge. If I had anything to do with any of it, I am so glad you listened!
❤️XOXOXOXO❤️
You had everything to do with it 🙂
❤️❤️❤️
This one brought chills to me. Such a tragic loss, and so young. I love the fact that you keep the music alive for all of us, and give us the history behind the music. Thank you!
Thank you, Donna 🥰
Keeping all of it alive is my passion and I thank you for the very kind comments.
You’re welcome. I love your passion for the music as well as the history. It’s very hard for me to convey my thoughts and feelings. But I do give it my best shot.
You convey your thoughts and feelings VERY well 🥰
Well that’ll be the Day is for sure! Gives me chills!! I remember the day this happened like it was yesterday, and how devastated I felt the three young lives were lost, all older than me at the time, but with so much talent and so much promise for the future. I loved their music each time I hear that this is the big bopper speaking, I get goosebumps. What’s a terrific tribute that you paid to them and Lord knows what would’ve happened had they lived on to continue to contribute to the wonderful music that we all loved back then, and still do. Thank you pray for putting this together! It’s very memorable and touching.❤️🎶
Thank you, Sandy. ❤️
I can’t begin to imagine how much Buddy would have continued to change the face of rock and roll music had he lived. He was so far out in front of everyone else when he died, and he only just started.
what a big tragedy 🙁 Had they lived, I have no doubt that they would have continued to put out great music!! People like you are what makes their music live on!
Thank you, Penny ❤️
I appreciate the compliment. I do the best I can. 🙂
Thanks very much for this great music Ray. I don’t always comment but I always love listening to the musical choices you make for us.
Best,
Janie
Janie, thanks for the kind words. I appreciate you taking the time to comment but even when you don’t comment, I know you’re listening! 🥰
The sad part is what could have been.
These artists had already made their mark and are still celebrated. Great music!
This tragedy brought us the Don MacLean tribute that kept that music alive and led to another immortal piece of music.
Chose to make this an upbeat sing-a-long today rather than a dirge.
Thanks, Mary Helen 🥰
You had the right attitude about the music! It was intended to be a celebration. 🙂
What great music these three made in their short lives. I remember the news on TV, and how sad we all felt. But their music lives on with all of us who remember.
Very well said, Pat. 🥰
It is important that we keep the music alive.