Feb 3, 1959:The day the music died

History ^ | Feb 3 | History

[Baynative]

On this day in 1959, rising American rock stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson are killed when their chartered Beechcraft Bonanza plane crashes in Iowa a few minutes after takeoff from Mason City on a flight headed for Moorehead, Minnesota. Investigators blamed the crash on bad weather and pilot error. Holly and his band, the Crickets, had just scored a No. 1 hit with "That'll Be the Day."

After mechanical difficulties with the tour bus, Holly had chartered a plane for his band to fly between stops on the Winter Dance Party Tour. However, Richardson, who had the flu, convinced Holly's band member Waylon Jennings to give up his seat, and Ritchie Valens won a coin toss for another seat on the plane.

[morphing libertarian]

Ironic how R&B and blues became popular with Brit bands and then there music came back here.

One story. I read that Brian Wilson had sand put on the studio floor so that they could “feel” the beach.

[Little Bill]

I saw Buffy Saint Marie sing that in Boston on the week she became a citizen. She was smoken hot.

[Zionist Conspirator]

The movie with Gary Busey was very well done.

Considering they changed the Crickets' names and completely omitted Norman Petty and Clovis, New Mexico, I don't think so.

[Baynative]

"I think R&B that wasn’t the blues was called race music."

I'm sure it was called that and probably a lot worse. It is sad to look back but I'm glad some of the greats who are still with us like BB King and Buddy Guy are finally getting their just reward for the pain they endured to do what they love.

If you haven't seen it you should get Martin Scorcese's movie, Lightning in a Bottle.

[morphing libertarian]

I saw a series on the blues on PBS each segment was directed by a different director. Scorcese was one of that. Is that the one?

[Baynative]

I don’t think so. This was a well produced two night concert at Radio City MH, I think. The sound, the video and the commentary is superb. - a bit heavy on slavery history at the beginning, but that is understood.

[Cheechdog]

I once knew a lady from nearby Mason City, Iowa. She was at the Winter
Dance Party the night of the plane crash. She managed to get all the artists to sign her arm with a ballpoint pen. When she got home her mom made her wash it all off. She regrets to this day not taking a picture of it.