The Day The Music Died

So in yesterday's blog I had said that today would be "New Music Thursday" but in my absent mindedness I forgot, and was reminded by a friend, that today was a very important day in music history, The Day The Music Died.

Crash site where Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper,
and Ritchie Valens died on
February 3rd, 1959 near Clear Lake, IA.

On February, 3rd 1959 Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and JP Richardson (The Big Bopper) played a concert at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, IA. Upon leaving the concert the three stars decided to board a plane from the Mason City Airport and head to the next show in Fargo, ND instead of taking the cold, broken down bus they had been touring on for the Winter Dance Party tour.

However this proved to be a fatal mistake as shortly after takeoff the plane crashed in a cornfield north of Clear Lake. Snowy conditions and poor visibility are believed to be the main reason why pilot Roger Peterson crashed into the field.

Now for more information on specifics of the crash click this link.
For the coroner's report click here. (Proceed with caution.)
For The Civil Aeronautics Board Report click here.

The death of these three promising rock n roll musicians left a huge mark on the rock n roll scene in the fifties. They were all looking at promising careers filled with many more hits and numerous fans. They had already charted many hits before their deaths. (Some of these hits were from Holly: Peggy Sue, Not Fade Away, That'll Be The Day; Valens: La Bamba, Oh Donna, Come On Lets Go; Big Bopper: Chantilly Lace.)

For their life to be cut so short like this is very tragic. Like many others before and after them it just goes to show that we must cherish the great musicians and minds we have for they could be lost at a moments notice.

As far as the memory of Holly, Richardson, and Valens, it still lives on. The Surf Ballroom has hosted a Winter Dance Party concert to celebrate their memory for the past several years. Many of the musicians that played with the three dead rockers have attended and usually always attend the concert along with countless other artists to pay tribute to their legacy.

It is definitely things like this that help keep the spirit of great music alive. If you ever have a chance try and go visit the Surf Ballroom and the crash site to better understand the history and impact of these fine musicians who passed before their time.

Until next time keep on rocking away music lovers,
JAS

Photo credited to Flickr/Creative Commons, Atlantic Community