The Day the Music Died

The Day the Music Died

February 3, 1959 is a day that many from that era will never forget.  On this day Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. Richardson, known as ‘The Big Bopper” along with the pilot Roger Peterson perished in a plane crash in Iowa. It’s been know as The Day the Music Died to many.

Buddy Holly and his band were playing on a tour across the Midwest states of the US.  The band members were Waylon Jennings, Tommy Allsup, Caro Bunch and rising artists of Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson also joined the tour.

The weather was cold, the performers were coming down with the flu and the long tour bus rides didn’t help with the conditions.  After their performance in Clear Lake, Iowa Buddy Holly chartered a plane to head to their next stop in Moorhead, Minnesota.  The plane had only three seats and since J.P. Richardson had the flu, he went on the plane instead of Waylon Jennings. There was a coin toss and Valens won Tommy Allsup’s seat.  So Buddy Holly, J.P. Richardson and Ritchie Valens all boarded the plane for their next destination. The weather conditions were poor and vision was bad in the late night takeoff, the pilot lost control of the plane and crashed into a cornfield.

Credit: YouTube Young Pilgrim Music

In 1971, Don McLean singer-songwriter wrote “American Pie and the last concert before the plane crash became known as “The Day the Music Died”.

This was a sad day for the music industry when the three young rising stars and the pilot lost their lives, The Big Bopper was 28, Buddy Holly was 22, Roger Peterson was 21, and Ritchie Valens was only 17 but the great music from this era will live on through the memories.

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Martha DeMeo

I started my blog on Christmas Day 2014 mainly to review products I received. Since then it has evolved into many other categories of lifestyles, family, money saving ideas, low cost, delicious and healthy meals plus other surprise posts. My granddaughter has her own category, Alex's Articles and the latest addition to my blog is my great granddaughter now has her category, Lia's Likings The Baby Blogger! Lia started blogger at 8 months old and she now has a Friday Story Time blog you won't want to miss! I welcome you to join the conversation, ask a question, give a suggestion or leave a comment on any blog post. I hope you enjoy Lia's Likings, she has some great posts that will make you smile!

9 Discussion to this post

  1. “Chantilly lace and a pretty face, ponytail hanging down. A wiggle in her walk and a giggle in her talk, makes the world go round, round, round…” I watched a movie about Buddy Holly and the crash – before I realized how sensitive I am, how long things stay with me & that I can choose to avoid heartbreak. But I think I was just learning the Big Bopper song and that struck me more. I also loved American Pie and loved its concept. Sad, though. Thanks for celebrating them & reminding me of Chantilly Lace and American Pie.

    • Martha says:

      I loved that era Jeanine. I too have watched the movie many times, but I still can’t get through to the end with dry eyes. No you have me signing this song!

  2. Kemkem says:

    I wasn’t alive then, but l of course know all about this. Very sad indeed. Just goes to show you that when your number is up.. it is up.

  3. I loved the three of them. Their demise probably helped change the development of rock and roll.

    • Martha says:

      They were my hubby’s and my favorites and we still love to listen to this ear in music Roy. Dion was also at that concert, is another great singer. Like the saying goes, old memories never die.

  4. I loved the three of them. Their demise probably helped change the development of rock and roll.

  5. I remember the event AND the song,

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