February 3, 1959 remains a significant date among rock music fans: the first accidental premature deaths of its rock and roll stars 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-four 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.
For once, I am not listing the names of the artists singing the songs. I have to believe you’ll know them. You certainly should.
Memories … That’s What We’re All About
Play buttons are on the left … Volume sliders are on the right
The Day The Music Died
A Waylon Jennings’8-track was what I listened to before going out back in the mid 70’s into the 80’s. Still have it & a player too. Altho today’s medley is just starting I already know that I will probably hum or or silently sing along with them all. Many of them Ted played with bands he was in. They weren’t here for a long time but their music has lasted a long time 🙂 🙂 Great mix. Lee & Ted
Thank you, Lee and Ted 🥰🥰
I hope you thoroughly enjoyed the songs!
Today’s medley made me sad. While I loved the songs, the death of these talented young men so close to the upcoming 1 year anniversary of the death of Amy on the 12th made me sad.
I’m so sorry, Nancy. I was thinking about the anniversary of Amy’s death when I was putting this medley together, and how close the dates were. To be honest, I didn’t expect you to play this. ❤
What a great medley
Such talent cut short, but the music didn’t die but lives on in the great tunes they left us forever
A home run
Thanks, Mary Helen! 🥰
It is fair, I believe, to think the Big Bopper novelty act would have worn off in a short amount of time, but Ritchie Valens was just getting started and showed so much promise. And then, of course, there was Buddy Holly, who I truly believe had no limit as to how far he would have gone.
A sad day, indeed.
Amen to what Mary Helen said. I was 12, almost 13 when this happened, and still remember how shocked everyone was. Several of these songs were among the first 45’s that I purchased. The Big Bopper’s music was so fun and feel good. A huge loss to music.
Thank you, Pat 🥰
I know their deaths had a profound impact on teenagers born in the 40s.Elvis was in the Army and these three young men had stepped into the breach to carry on. It didn’t have as big an impact on me. I was 8, a few months short of turning 9 and my focus was on baseball. As I became a teenager, I “discovered” Buddy Holly’s music and his death had a very profound impact then.
Great Music for sure, thanks for putting this together for us to remember this great talent.
Linda
Thank you, Linda 🥰
I’m very glad you enjoyed it!