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The day the Music Died.

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953 nut

The Day the Music Died is observed on February 3 every year. It’s the anniversary of the fatal plane crash that killed three important figures in rock and roll.

 

Musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. Richardson died along with the pilot Roger Peterson in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa. In the thick of winter, the poor flight conditions led to the Peterson losing control of the plane, causing it to crash and claim the lives of all four people on board.

One of them was Buddy Holly, a singer-songwriter who wrote many songs during his short career and is credited with defining the rock and roll lineup of two guitars, bass, and drums. His music had a huge influence on musicians such as Bob Dylan and The Beatles.

Rock and roll pioneers, Valens, and Richardson, also known as ‘The Bopper’ were on tour in winter when they realized that they were sick and tired of the poor tour bus conditions. Long trips on the tour bus would give the performers frostbite and the flu, making it impossible for them to perform.

At Clear Lake, Holly finally decided against traveling any further on the tour bus and decided to charter a plane to the next location. Richardson was ill, so asked Waylon Jennings, a fellow band member, for his seat on the plane, to which he agreed. Valens had also asked Tommy Allsup, another band member, to fly in his stead and they agreed to toss a coin to decide. Valens won.

McLean named the day of the crash The Day the Music Died in his song ‘American Pie’ which was an enormous hit. Besides commemorating the day, the song title has also become symbolic of the shift in cultural attitudes, and the death of the optimism of the 1950s.

Buddy Holly went on tour because he wanted to save up money to move to New York with his wife, Maria Holly.

The 1959 tour was badly planned The buses were refurbished school buses, not meant for comfort over long-distance driving, and the musicians had no one to assist with their equipment.

Maria Holly learned about it on T.V. The shock of the news of Buddy Holly’s death affected her wellbeing so much that she suffered a miscarriage.

The pilot had passed his written exams wasn’t qualified to fly in the kind of weather conditions that were present on that fateful day.

The song by McLean was so popular because it carried a national meaning, and it has been described as the most successful song of the 20th century.

Reflect on these extenuating circumstances as you enjoy the music.

 

 

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Ed Kennell

A sad day.    Especially for Waylon.

 

.All four died upon impact at 12:55 a.m. on Feb. 3, 1959. Holly’s bassist, Waylon Jennings, would be haunted by that night for decades, as he had casually given up his seat for a flu-ridden Richardson moments earlier. Known since as “the day the music died,” Buddy Holly’s plane crash remains one of the most tragic moments in rock and roll history.

 

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JCM

I had the luck to see Waylon Jennings at the Topsfield Fair in Mass around 1993 ish outdoor concert. About 30' away. Been a fan since 1976. Still have the Hat and Tee shirt. Great time. He's quite a character. The sound he gets out of that Fender Telecaster is amazing.

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