The Day The Music Died

Today is the anniversary of the deaths of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson who died in an airplane crash on 3 February 1959.  The day later became know as "The Day The Music Died" in Don McClean's American Pie.

All three young musician's were on a winter tour called "The Winter Dance Party" with other musicians in the US. Tired of travelling on an old freezing bus, Buddy Holly decided to charter a light airplane to get to their next venue. Richie Valens (La Bamba), who was only 17, asked to go on the plane as he had never flown before and won his place by the toss of a coin. Waylon Jennings was also due to fly with the group but gave up his place to Richardson who had the flu.   When Holly learned that Jennings wasn't going to fly, he said in jest, "Well, I hope your ol' bus freezes up" and Jennings responded, also in jest, "Well, I hope your ol' plane crashes". This would haunt Jennings for the rest of his life.

The 4 seater plane took off at about 1.00 a.m. from Clear Lake, Iowa and barely cleared the airport before crashing. All three musicians and the pilot, Roger Peterson, were killed immediately on impact. An investigation later blamed pilot error and weather conditions for the crash. All three musicians were at the height of popularity and their deaths made headlines across the world. It was truly the Day The Music Died.

Make sure you look at the Buddy Holly video. The introduction is hilarious.