Buddy Holly & The Day the Music Died

This video details the Winter Dance Party Tragedy, also known as, the day the music died... the plane crash that claimed the lives of Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, and The Big Bopper.
I've made a playlist on Spotify to accompany this video:
open.spotify.com/playlist/0B7...
You can see behind the scenes on Instagram: @theappalachianson
If you like this content and would like to donate to help improve the channel you can Venmo: @theappalachianson
I am grateful. Thank you!
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Works Cited:
Allsup, Tommy. (2 February 2011). Tommy Allsup “Flip of a Coin” 2011 Interview. Video. Retrieved from: • Tommy Allsup coin toss...
Civil Aeronautics Board. (15 September 1959). Aircraft Accident Report. File No. 2-0001. Beech Bonanza, N 3794N. Retrieved from: catalog.archives.gov/id/2635701
DiMucci, Dion. (2 February 2015). The True Buddy Holly Story. Video Interview. Retrieved from: • HD* THE TRUE BUDDY HOL...
Find A Grave. (Accessed 01 May 2022). Memorial ID 492. Buddy Holly. Retrieved from: www.findagrave.com/memorial/4...
Find A Grave. (Accessed 01 May 2022). Memorial ID 1705. J.P. “Big Bopper” Richardson. Retrieved from: www.findagrave.com/memorial/1...
Find A Grave. (Accessed 01 May 2022). Memorial ID 1363. Ritchie Valens. Retrieved from: www.findagrave.com/memorial/1...
Franscell, Ron. (4 April 2007). Big Bopper’s Son Meets His Father For The First Time. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved From: www.chicagotribune.com/news/c...
Jennings, Waylon. (10 November 1999). Waylon Jennings Interviewed At Surf Ballroom. Video. Interview. Retrieved from: • Waylon Jennings Interv...
Keppler, Nick. (27 February 2016). The Strange Case of Buddy Holly’s Final Pair of Glasses. Mental Floss. Retrieved from: www.mentalfloss.com/article/7...
Lustig, Hanna. (5 February 2019). What Dr. Bill Bass Found In The Bones of The Big Bopper. Knox News. Retrieved from: www.knoxnews.com/story/shoppe...
McIntosh, Barbara. (4 September 1987). The Reveries Of Valens’ Donna. The Washington Post. Retrieved from: www.washingtonpost.com/archiv...
Sardo, Frankie. (16 November 2015). The Winter Dance Party Tapes: Frankie Sardo. Video. Interview. Retrieved from: • The Winter Dance Party...
Smiley, Ralph E. (3-4 February 1959). Coroner’s Report of Investigation - Charles Holley. The United States. Iowa. County of Cerro Gordo. Retrieved from: www.autopsyfiles.org/reports/C...
Smiley, Ralph E. (3-4 February 1959). Coroner’s Report of Investigation - Richard Valenzuela. The United States. Iowa. County of Cerro Gordo. Retrieved from:
www.autopsyfiles.org/reports/C...
Smiley, Ralph E. (3-4 February 1959). Coroner’s Report of Investigation - Jiles P. Richardson. The United States. Iowa. County of Cerro Gordo. Retrieved from: www.autopsyfiles.org/reports/C...
Stafford, James. (30 March 2016). Why The Death Of A Musician Hits Us So Hard. Diffuser. Retrieved from: diffuser.fm/musician-deaths-i...
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Disclaimer:
All content used for this video falls under fair use and is meant to be for entertainment purposes only. No copyright infringement was intended, but if any content owners would me to amend the video to credit you please reach out.
Business email: [e-mail]
Copyright © 2022 The Appalachian Son. All rights reserved.

[@hollymartens8059]

Had he lived, I believe Buddy Holly would have become a monumental musical artist. His music was already progressing in new directions.

[@TheAppalachianSon]

Do you think he would have been bigger than Elvis - since Elvis had been drafted into the military and kinda taken out of the spotlight?

[@HARRY__Pecker]

@@TheAppalachianSon absolutely not. He wasn’t as diverse as Elvis. Buddy was great, but “what if” can corrupt objectivity.

[@xtravyx1]

Harry, Elvis never wrote a song. Holly was “the master of the Stratocaster “ Elvis was nowhere near the complete musical genius of Holly.

[@justincalen6345]

@@TheAppalachianSon oh yeah no doubt about it Buddy Holly Rules the world forever he is very special and a one of a kind creation this world won’t see again 😢

[@JesusOnlyWay-d8e]

his wife was pregnant but lost the baby.. had he live his son would be with us today. buddy jr.

[@marydahm6851]

The Sperry F3 gyro indicated pitch opposite to the way regular gyroscopes of the day did, so ultimately they were flying blind. Jim Reeves also perished in 1964 in a Bonanza flown in IMC. May they all RIP and thank you for the excellent video. PS: Today would have been Ritchie Valens’ 81st birthday.

[@ARQWELDER]

Another great episode. I was impressed that you added the little piece about the gun. History records that the gun was found only recently and authorities said that several rounds had been shot from the revolver - which wouldn’t have misfired on impact. The gun was found several feet from the crash site and near Buddy’s body. It was suggested that maybe Buddy and Ritchie survived the crash, with Buddy shooting rounds to try and flag down help. Buddy and Ritchie’s bodies were found in almost pristine condition, and to the state police, it looked like they both just laid down after the crash and fell asleep to their deaths. Either way, you did a great job and I like following your videos!

[@smithgirl34]

Except for the fact that Ritchie lost half his head

[@sandradee4914]

​@@smithgirl34 Thanx for info I wasn't aware of some facts of that awful crash.

[@Robertsmusiclist]

All of the bodies were badly mutilated

[@annettefindlay8076]

Buddy Holly was a genius!!🎸🕶

[@mikecarpenter8022]

Sad news just heard that buddy Holly crickets drummer Jerry Allison "JI" passed sometime Monday RIP

[@TheAppalachianSon]

Thank you for the heads up I didn’t hear that yet.

[@BrandonPGeneral]

Great to see people giving these guys some time. Great video. Just two things, first that wasn’t a photo of Carl Bunch. That was J.I. Allison who was Buddy’s original drummer in The Crickets. Second, the surviving tour members didn’t continue in tribute to Buddy, Ritchie and The Bopper, they continued because GAC, the company who put the tour together, forced them to continue or they wouldn’t get paid. None of them wanted to be there after the crash.

[@danscott3880]

My favorite buddy tune. Not fade away

[@ronniecapitanelli3729]

Buddy & Richie ~ True Rock n Roll Hall Of Famers Way Before Their Time Was Up🙏 Los Lobos Does Richie A Solid On The La Bamba Soundtrack, But It’s HUMBLE PIE Who Really Does An Incredible Version Of “Come’on Everybody “

[@michaelharrington75]

The picture at 1:38 is not Karl Bunch. It's Jerry Allison, drummer and founding member of the Crickets. He was Buddy Holly's best friend.

[@cleanslate9623]

Thank you for this video. I love the music of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens & The Big Bopper. I am grateful I got to go to the Surf Ballroom and spend time walking around with no one else around except my wife and an employee. It was moving to stand on the original stage and go in the back room that has all the signatures on it. To see the phone Buddy used to call his pregnant wife....then to go out to the crash sight. I just wanted to pay my respects to great musicians...entertainers and legends. It was very moving. At the ballroom I stood alone on the stage and sang True Love Ways...thank you for all you do. God bless you and your loved ones Sir

[@rhondashinn4952]

i have seen may videos about this tradgedy, but yours is very imformative. what might of been if they had'nt died, so very sad

[@galeagalvanizer426]

17 and 22 and 28 .... just kids. Waylon lived to raise hell.

[@hollymartens8059]

As a "Gen X" kid his music always seemed to be there and I just kind of took him for granted until , as a young musician and music-freak, I naturally came to him in the sonic archeology you go through as a listener-"I love this artist and I read he was inspired by this person..." That odyssey so many music fans find themselves on. Listening to the catalog of music he left at that age is stunning. He was a monster-talent, and the tones he got out of his two sunburst Stratocasters and Fender Pro amplifier(s) are still fantastic and 'state of the art'. Who knows what kind of shit he would have gotten into. He had moved to Manhattan so I'm sure he would have been exposed to the jazz of that era, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Sonny Rollins,etc. Tragic.

[@johnrosby2135]

That would be interesting to hear about why the rest of the bands decided to finish the tour. I remember hearing Waylon Jennings saying that the promoter of the tour threaten to sue and not pay them the very same morning they were made aware of the crash.

[@TheAppalachianSon]

I’d be interested in knowing that too. I will make a note to dig deeper. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment.

[@DarkAngel-ow1ck]

The Winter Dance Party tour is the worst and most infamous tour in history for all the wrong reasons. If it was someone I loved, the people who organized the tour would’ve been wiping their asses with lawsuits for the rest of their lives.

[@lisaaheanueanderson4591]

Can you imagine what they could have done more then they already did, it's truly sad. I know Waylon Jennings felt horrible about what he said.

[@inlovewithhealth]

I go visit the bus from time to time. It is haunting to stand next to it. By the way, Buddy Holly's wife was pregnant when they died too but lost the baby.

[@charlesroller5844]

Another well done video, keep up the great work.

[@TheAppalachianSon]

I really appreciate you. I’m trying my best to get better with each episode 💀

[@jasonbrewer3881]

I am 46 years old and I am from Easley South Carolina Buddy Holly is as big an influence on me as Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath etc in so on but my favorite Buddy Holly songs are ,(Maybe baby , Rave On ,Oh Boy , That'll be the day ,Bo Diddley 👍🏻

[@penelopelopez8296]

They should have just rented a few cars. When you’re young and making the money….little else matters. Gotta get to that next gig….gotta make the money.

[@hollymartens8059]

My favorite Buddy Holly tune is "Well, Alright." which was later covered by Blind Faith.

[@ilanamillion8942]

Mine is "That'll Be the Day".

[@danielcombs3207]

Tommy Allsup played the great lead guitar parts on “ Heartbeat”, “It’s So Easy”, “Love’s Made a Fool of You “, “Lonesome Tears” and “Wishing”. He was in Buddy’s touring band on the last tour along with Waylon Jennings on bass. I saw Tommy’s wallet in the Hard Rock Museum along with Buddy’s eyeglasses and some of his clothes and other collectibles. I got a chill looking at that wallet.

[@1CathyHendrix]

Very interesting video! Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@lildee2626]

I had no idea about the plane doing a cartwheel. What a terrifying time for everyone on the plane. Dr. Bass in a video about the Big Bopper didn't perform an autopsy but did Xray's on him and that is where he found all the broken bones from his head to his feet that showed the severity of his death. Its still a sad way to die. RIP to them on that day. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@dr.wilfriedhitzler1885]

They died instantly by impact, because the plane flew 160 miles. Peterson should not have taken off, because he wasnt skilled. If the gyro was a pneumatic one, it could be possible, that the nozzle got closed by snow. I dont know, but at that time, such gyros were in use.

[@tamara6212]

​@@dr.wilfriedhitzler1885160-170 miles per hour

[@pattysmith5259]

I'm 63 years old and love Ritchie. And still do. I want his music on CD but I can't find it anywhere or even a record. I watch the move DVD and I CRY EVERY TIME. I watch it every day about 15 times a day. How can I get them ? And a photo of Ritchie.

[@sophuzzy]

I've been to that ballroom. Seems every time there is an upcoming election for Sheriff, Buddy Holly's glasses are rediscovered in some file or file cabinet. Yep. Winter in Northern Iowa can be a bit nasty.

[@StephenLuke]

RIP Roger Peterson (1937-1959) Buddy Holly (1936-1959) Ritchie Valens (1941-1959) and J.P. Richardson Jr. (1930-1959)

[@haydengodek2134]

Great video! My family went to Lubbock but I couldn’t go and they went to buddy holly’s grave that’s there and I’m kinda jealous I didn’t get to pay my respects

[@connywelch5192]

Thank you❤️

[@aridian7787]

Awesome presentation!👍👏👏👏🇺🇸

[@TheAppalachianSon]

Thank you!!!

[@eddylauterback1312]

Do not fly with a rookie pilot particularly in weather.

[@slabbusterrtr7690]

Hell naw !! I'd of Been in doubt flying that night with a highly experienced pilot that night

[@midnitelitecompany]

Great work brother. Great work.

[@midnitelitecompany]

Got your email response about SG. Thanks for the reply. If anyone can figure it out, it’s you. Thank you for looking into it.

[@TheAppalachianSon]

@@midnitelitecompany hey brother, I appreciate you. Thank you and I will definitely let you know when I know. I actually got a call from McComb, MS, but it was about my cars “extended warranty” 💀

[@midnitelitecompany]

@@TheAppalachianSon Hahhahahhaha!!!!

[@pamelacharbonneau3115]

It's nice to see a different perspective on the story.

[@johnbucklin1735]

These performers...we will never see their like again..God rest their souls..Thanks guys,so,so much...

[@edwardwong654]

They say that was the Day the Music Died. How tragic.

[@magnumman5597]

My grandfathers friend went to the last performance

[@slabbusterrtr7690]

Well I've heard the slammed the ground at 170 mph so u can imagine what they looked like sad sad day 😪

[@shoknifeman2mikado135]

That was a pic of Jerry Allison, not Carl Bunch

[@carterghhdjdjdjjdjdj1008]

i still wouldnt blame buddy holly if you were that cold, youd probably get a plane too

[@teresacamp3365]

Well done thank you . Think you could do one on Michael Landon?

[@hollymartens8059]

Didn't he die of Cancer?

[@TheAppalachianSon]

Thank you for the request! I can’t remember was he a musician?

[@teresacamp3365]

@@TheAppalachianSon actor little house on the Prairie ect

[@teresacamp3365]

@@hollymartens8059 pancreatic cancer

[@terrydavis8451]

Dr. Bill Bass is amazing.

[@mikecarpenter8022]

Great job Brother enjoy it !!

[@TheAppalachianSon]

I appreciate you Mike, thank you!

[@mikecarpenter8022]

@@TheAppalachianSon what is your email address I want to send you something to you will like brother

[@TheAppalachianSon]

theappalachianson at gmail dot com

[@frankgraham1996]

Cause of Death> Skulls cracked like egg shells and contents spewed over the ground.

[@josephlawson9950]

Bye bye mrs American pie

[@carlam.7617]

February 3rd 1959. That pilot should never have been in an airplane, he had no clue what he was doing and took the lives of 3 innocent people.

[@slabbusterrtr7690]

Nope he did not have enough flight hours the weather they were trying to fly in wouldve been tough for a highly experiened pilot

[@Dessie716]

it was actually dwyer air who is responsible not the pilot they couldve kept him out of the planr but im a clairvoyant and i have my info from the sources 😊

[@denisjeux1020]

I'm an Aussie who has been always interested in buddy holly.how far is iowa to moorhead minesota by plane? Just interested if it was a short trip?

[@michaelgoldberg7127]

RAVE ON!!!!!!!!!!!!Even though it was before my time, I just LOVE Buddy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@andrewmielke4011]

My favorite song is , peggy sue by buddy holly and the crickets

[@stevenbrewer9306]

great job man, i dont think you missed anything about facts about regarding the story told by the one's who lived it and were there, there is a utube on Bob keen Ritchies manager that has most of valens recordings, it blew me away how good of a guitar player valens was, ya he had it all but man could he play, you can hear it in those demos that keen saved, check it out, you'll see what i mean when you hear recordings, plus Ritchie talking witch is very rare, he didn't say much just caught a few snipits hear and there, but check it out if you can find it, just Bob keens recordings of valens,.

[@sharonburbidge7792]

Buddy holly big bobber, richie valens,and the pilot died on inpact,All these conspiracists saying there was an altercation between buddy and big bopper due to the gun being found and been fired is outrageous, All these speculations and there are meny going around is simply disrespectful to all 4 of these victims and there familys,Noone knows what happened on that tragic day and we may never know,All we do know is that 4 inocent souls lost there lives,R I P Buddy Holley,Big Bopper,Richie Valens,Roger peterson 🕯🎸🎙💿🎼🎹🥁

[@JukeboxBalowski]

Just for the record, the coin flip story told here is the more widely accepted version of the story, however, it differs significantly from Dion's version of the story. Dion claims that the plane was originally chattered for 3 of the headliners only, not for Buddy and his band members. Dion said that he was the one who flipped the coin with Richie Valens to determine which one would go on the plane. Dion said he won the toss but later thought about what the price of the flight was (which he'd have to contribute towards) and decided to just take the bus and let Richie have the seat on the plane. According to Dion's version, Waylon Jennings was never supposed to be on the plane and had nothing to do with the coin toss. There's always the possibility that there was actually more than one coin toss or even several that took place. It's also possible that Dion is just a bullshitter! But I guess there's no way to ever know for sure. In my personal opinion, I think Dion's version makes perfect sense, but that doesn't necessarily make it true.

[@tjharlow5498]

I THINK BUDDY AN ELVIS WOULD HAVE MADE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC TOGETHER AN MANY OTHERS WHAT A CRYING SHAME 😢❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ralphbenites1312]

Wondering if thair spirits roam around the surf ballroom 👻👻👻🎸🎸🎙🎙🎙🎶🎶🎶

[@dewilew2137]

Why do so many stories like this involve a coin toss or drawing cards? This reminds me a lot of the story of the bus crash that killed Metallica’s bassist, Cliff Burton. Apparently he’d switched bunks with Kirk Hammett that night, which means that Kirk would have died instead.

[@mariagarcia8550]

it's not 2nd it's the 3nd

[@salvagedb2470]

The Flight should never have happened , the Pilot was the route cause an should have said No .

[@Curly34584]

THERE ARE RUMORS THAT THEY ARE STILL ALIVE????

[@midnitelitecompany]

Not true.

[@magnumman5597]

Even if they survived then probably would be dead today

[@Curly34584]

THERE ARE PEOPLE STILL ALIVE THAT WE THOUGHT WERE DEAD! BELIEVE ME! STAY TUNED!!

[@barrytooley6724]

There are none so blind as those too stupid to see

[@dewilew2137]

@@Curly34584 stop it.