The Day the Music Died: Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper

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When Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson passed away on February 3rd, 1959 after a small plane crash, rock and roll lost some of its most notable early pioneers. Singer-songwriter Don McLean called this moment in music history "The Day the Music Died," in his song "American Pie." In this www.WatchMojo.com video, we learn more about the lives and deaths of early rock icons Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper.

[@Zephead10]

Imagine what Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens would have done in the 60s and 70s. They died to soon. The golden age of music was just around the corner after they died.

[@jnelson16701]

I'm pretty sure Richie Valens and Carlos Santana would have made an album together. I know prior to Jimi Hendrix's death, Jimi expressed an interest in collaborating with Santana. How great would that have been?

[@Zephead10]

Amazing. The latin rhythms with Jimis guitar...

[@hermabad5001]

Jonathan Gomez tɦɛ ɢօʟɖɛռ aɢɛ օʄ ʍʊsɨċ ċaʍʀɛ ɮɛċaʊsɛ օʄ them

[@sammiejones6101]

There songs too me always come into my thoughts and minds when I here 608's and 70's 🎶.

[@Quiksilversurf311]

The golden age of music wasn't just around the corner when they died. They created the golden age of music man, which was 1950-1960.

[@roobix9425]

it's freaky to think that Ritchie's life depended on that coin toss and he didn't even know it. 😪 RIP Gentlemen.

[@xXZanFanFooXx]

Roobix the first coin toss he ever won

[@Munthebun]

It's definitely unsettling

[@RB-cq8hy]

No the young pilot that should have said no they cant play in this weather. If they even lived out of it that pilot would never fly again do to his huge mistake of taking off in that weather.

[@lastnamefirstname5295]

@@xXZanFanFooXx the first and the last

[@tapeheadreal]

Just like Cliff Burton and the bus seats.

[@rattyeely]

This happened over 50 years at ago and I'm still sad.

[@johanvalencia2423]

rattyeely same here

[@bigga3095]

SAME HERE, THE SAD PART WAS MY DAD AND MOM were both teens dating each other, when they both saw them ALL ALIVE that night, then they all died in that plane crash that night!! VERY SAD.

[@GiordanDiodato]

almost 60 years now.

[@stephanyhdz92]

rattyeely the day the music died. I'm from Texas it's pretty cool how buddy Holly was from here

[@rayansahin8675]

.

[@DarkAngel-ow1ck]

That moment in La Bamba when the camera focuses on the empty sky for several seconds after the plane takes off is one of the most chilling moments in film history

[@dovercastbrandon9637]

They forgot to mention Buddy made those glasses cool.

[@roberthowes4623]

Dovercast Brandon o

[@lindalerma3460]

He didn't

[@pillsh]

Linda Lerma those are fighting words

[@mardy341]

@@lindalerma3460 it obviously a troll that has nothing to do but to talk shit.

[@astrallixr6605]

Egat

[@mockingjayvia6227]

I did a presentation on Ritchie Valens for my Spanish class at school and I covered the Day the Music Died and two people started crying. They were all great musicians and still live on.

[@lisasutherland2809]

True loses and it is very sad. I love all three of them they will always be remembered. I cry everytime I see them on the plane. The music really did die because today the music sucks it isn't like it used to be.

[@Danielhuertamtz]

When i saw "la bamba" for first time i cryed, its so sad, more for Rithcie whit mexican ascendence.

[@MASTEROFEVIL]

100th like

[@davidkonen7159]

I'm JUST gl*d Don McLe*n s*ng (uh) song which chronicled the DE*THS of these music*l *rtists

[@andrewmaximus234]

Legend 🙌

[@kjcaramel4547]

Man, Ritchie passed when he was only 17...That's not a good time to die.

[@solutionaldoom7442]

You think

[@ghulamchoudary2595]

The Dirty Camel Loved all these stars,along saving all my original records in beautiful condition.I,would never part with the records.originals labels.The best Rock and Roll in those days.todays music could never be as good.that is my,opinion.

[@kennydobbins9644]

There are still a few traditional style artists, but mostly in Country music.

[@burgermeistermeisterburger5962]

KJ Caramel its never a good time to die

[@janshegers7667]

not really true either. If you had a nice life and reached a very respectable age many will agree the time to leave has arrived. Weird to state actually.

[@hectorabcdefg9076]

the good ones always die young. Ritchie and my Selena RIP

[@sol4838]

D; Why did they have to die so young?

[@baldy194859]

+Happy Feet just think how far they might have went if they lived !

[@ednalully]

yes R.I.P to them ❤

[@fnchrstphr]

Hector Lalalala Selena Gomez died ????? When?

[@dubtown7076]

fnchrstphr dumb ass. it's selena not selena gomez

[@Trilaan]

Let's not forget Buddy Holly was a primary inspiration for The Beatles. I have always loved Buddy's vocal ability to make sudden changes in the timbre of his voice mid-phrase. It almost seems like there's 2 different people singing.

[@whodatninja439]

Trilaanus he pretty much created modern rock music

[@mikeanderson1370]

I'm pretty sure Chuck Berry gets more credit for that than Buddy Holly, since Chuck was first. lol But, rock stemmed off of blues. So, you can easily say blues is the reason for rock...since rock is based off of blues. So, you can thank Robert Johnson for popularizing Blues and Chuck Berry for mixing it with pop rock & roll. :)

[@buddymitchell5587]

Why thank You.

[@erikbaran7197]

Actually, their early influences were Elvis, Carl Perkins, Little Richard, and Chuck Berry. Lennon said, "Nothing really affected me until I heard Elvis. If there hadn't been Elvis, there would not have been the Beatles."

[@paulmccartneystoenail4897]

Trilaanus I wouldn’t say PRIMARY. The Beatles had a lot of musicians they looked up to, like Elvis, Little Richard, Bob Dylan, and Chuck Berry.

[@DubbZ471]

Yo they added La Bamba to Netflix!!!!

[@marcosespinoza4702]

Rolex DubbZ bless you for telling me this🙏🏼 was about to rent it & pay for that shit on KZbin

[@trumpstroll7438]

Awesome

[@lestatmacway892]

Epic

[@derrickcanady5519]

My forth favorite bio picture movie

[@erikmartinez4822]

I know

[@dnlcast2]

I read the coroner's report of the plane crash. Ritchie Valens skull was caved in so bad, you couldn't even distinguish his face. Almost his entire brain came out of his skull. The same with Buddy Holly. The Big Bopper was thrown several yards from the wreckage as well. They just died a horrible, horrible death. God rest their souls.

[@muiscnight]

mathew mann cool

[@smokesletsgo2374]

The one "good thing" (if you want to call it that) is that they all died so quickly they didnt even know what hit them. They certainly felt no pain at all. I heard that they thought the reason Bopper was so far from the plane was that he was trying to crawl for help and died, which would have been horrible, but thankfully an autopsy proved there was no way he survived even a millisecond after impact.

[@KarmicOmen]

mathew mann I just read all three coroner reports about the conditions of their bodies, and it's absolutely horrific.

[@cubosdemelon]

this just gave me the chills.....

[@kaymuldoon3575]

smokeslet'sgo his body was probably just thrown.

[@nicksmith522]

RIP Buddy, Richie, The Big Bopper 57 years any yet you all still live on rest easy

[@comicbookcrunch6464]

Such a shame they never got to life a full life.

[@zyzzbrah154]

+ComicBookCrunch today there in 70s and 80s age

[@suesstefanow3396]

that was the music i was lucky to. live that time good time and good people

[@mr.midnight5632]

58 years ;)

[@nicksmith522]

Mr. Midnight In a few days 59 years? Im bad at calculating years haha

[@Jefff72]

The Big Bopper was a hell of a song writer too. He wrote George Jones' first number one single "White Lightning." RIP to everyone who died on that flight.

[@RaxOldies]

And "Running Bear" for Johnny Preston, and did all the 'Indian' sounds in the background.

[@carlospcs7141]

@@RaxOldies yes, you're right about this, and both he & George Jones provided the "Indian" background sounds on Running Bear....

[@6744david]

loved them all but ritchie valens seemed so young and was my favourite very sad

[@bobblehead7732]

David Briers he only had an eight month career who knows what he could do

[@shawesomesauce1333]

I just watched La Bamba it's so sad it almost made me cry

[@LCx829]

Shawesomesauce / / Shadow Keeper Plays I cry every time I see the mother react to Ritchie valens death. sad ending.

[@shawesomesauce1333]

me to i feel you

[@yuyinho]

Yeah but it was an actor

[@charleskerr3664]

Shawesomesauce richie valens

[@superchitownhustler]

In order to dance the LaBamba a little bit of humor is needed.

[@brendan8744]

Man Ritchie was young he's just in high school and he died in 1959 so sad 😭

[@aniamason4165]

Buddy was right, the sky does belong to the stars , and now they are all up there , singing their hearts ♥️ out, we miss you guys RIP

[@connormclernon26]

That pilot should not have taken off in those conditions. Unfortunately, the pressure of those stars got to him. If he was a good pilot, he should have said, "No, I am not flying tonight."

[@connormclernon26]

+Majik0715 So? Ultimately, it's the pilots fault if he went up in such bad conditions. Ultimately, the choice to go or not to go is the Pilot in Commands, and the weather was demonstrably bad enough to justify not going.

[@connormclernon26]

+Majik0715 i'm a year younger, have only around 220 hours of flight experience, and I still have enough sense not to go in conditions like that.

[@connormclernon26]

+Majik0715 he had 711 hours of flight time. With the right certificates he could have been an airline pilot

[@connormclernon26]

+Majik0715 furthermore, he died for the same reasons hat JFK Jr died, in that he was flying into an environment he had very limited training and less experience in. However, it still does not excuse someone with that many hours not having developed enough of a sense not to fly that night

[@DeathMetalFTW100]

+Connor McLernon He made a decision. He thought he could do it. Conditions probably got worse when he got further in. He was probably confident in his skills, probably had experience in the conditions, no one else would do it except him.

[@doc9112]

60 years ago today. They crashed on Feb 3 1959.

[@NiteDriv3r]

Uh huh

[@dasanisansbury1871]

I was born February 2nd

[@NiteDriv3r]

Old ass Boomer Bitches

[@candycanecones1097]

I imagine all three of them performing songs together up there!

[@candycanecones1097]

Nite Driv3r awww sweetie, I’m 22 and listen to this music. Besides, if your into the modern style (they are often crap by the way) Don’t listen! It’s that simple little boy.

[@whitesabbath6581]

R.I.P. Buddy Holly (1936-1959) R.I.P. Ritchie Valens (1941-1959) R.I.P. the Big Bopper (1930-1959)

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

It's so sad that none of them, even the pilot, reached 30. Richie was only 17! Legends never die.

[@CaptainSpalding72]

we know

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

@@CaptainSpalding72 cool it

[@thedarkknight1357]

R.I.P. Roger Peterson (1937-1959) I know almost everyone blames him for the crash, but he was still human too and his family lost him at a young age too.

[@darkkeg4217]

What ritchie did in the time he did is crazy Crazy to think what he could've done

[@motorcityquig]

9/7/1936. Happy 80th birthday Buddy.

[@petpaul2670]

Hes 81 now.

[@hrodriguez561]

+Pet Paul hey made the comment on the first day of winter

[@Streetw1s3r]

82, but probably would've still been making great music.

[@RandyR]

63 years ago today. Their music an impact will last forever!

[@erinhanks4735]

It was 58 years ago this week that these 3 young men died in that plane crash. Rest in peace, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and Big Bopper. You will never be forgotten.

[@castlevaniaskeletor5598]

I feel so bad for Waylon. He’s my favorite singer, and he lived in guilt because of the bickering he and Buddy had before they left. When Buddy found out that Waylon had given up his plane seat, he said “I hope that bus freezes up!” And Waylon said “I hope that plane of yours crashes!” The guilt Waylon felt caused him to have a drug addiction and it changed his life big time.

[@davidkonen7159]

Ye*h! W*ylon Jenninggs went on to be (uh) WONDERFUL Country singer, who M*DE (uh) song with Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, *nd Johnny C*sh (this qu*rtet w*s N*MED "The Highw*ymen"): Highw*ym*n

[@jacobh680]

@@davidkonen7159 why the fuck u using * so much

[@Silas123]

@@jacobh680 Its in place for the letter A, maybe its broken for him.

[@GalenIRL]

@@jacobh680 This nigga hi af yo

[@billysikes1374]

I couldn't even imagine I've said some really bad shit to loved ones that I've regretted my entire life

[@rachelsolomons3228]

All three were heartbreaking losses what they would have done if they had lived why oh why did they fly ? R.I.P

[@IAMdeathblade]

They flew to get to the next stop quickly

[@evanmullersmith654]

+IAMdeathblade Because the bus kept breaking down.

[@jeanettefriscia9955]

)

[@charleskerr3664]

Rachie doodle due 2 no heat on bus

[@shrekkong501]

because the sky's belong to the stars..

[@user-zg6kb7jf4l]

I feel so bad for Roger, he died that day too and is basically ignored, what a shame. RIP Mr. Peterson.

[@pietropavan6020]

Is forgotten beacouse is the " cause" "" " of the death

[@Richardson_mma]

Pietro Pavan Not exactly though

[@TLO129]

Pietro Pavan The CAB report makes no sense. The report claims the plane crashed at 170 miles per hour. Then they go on and say the reason it crashed was because pilot Peterson misread his attitude gyro, meaning he was diving when he though he was climbing (which is fucking ridiculous on its own.) This is a problem as if he was diving, he would be going a lot faster than 170 miles per hour. What does make sense is a stall, caused from probable ice on the carbonater and wings, and overloaded cargo. In other words, the ice on the wings made the planes aerodynamics worse, and the overloaded cargo made the aircraft too heavy. Also the CAB did this shit, whenever they picked up a crash where the pilot died, they have already drawn their conclusion. Blame the pilot. Honestly should’ve been the CAB motto. ‘Here at the CAB we blame the pilot every fucking chance we get’

[@lilcoke4069]

@@TLO129 yeah I think it's more probable that the wings got frozen and too much weight on board cause the plan to descend and crash. It baffles me that they think Peterson got confused and thought he was ascending. Like you'd definitely feel the direction you're going I'd have thought. Maybe he tried to land it as safe as possible but who knows really. It's a tragic loss. I hope they didn't suffer.

[@freddiereagan6705]

True

[@paulmoholland6568]

if theres a rock-n-roll heaven they must have a hell of band...

[@J.PMora1957]

Paul Moholland, The Righteous Brothers’ Rock n’ Roll Heaven, an amazing song, a love letter to all of the rockers who died way too soon at the time and so fourth.

[@chupacabra9357]

Pun not intended?

[@zomgseriosuly]

that contrast got me thinking

[@dblxde]

i see what you did there

[@davidkonen7159]

You've GOT th*t RIGHT 8)

[@Nickygino]

61 years ago today the world lost Buddy Holly, J.P. Richardson-(The BIG Bopper) and Ritchie Valens........all gone way to soon but NEVER forgotten. Always LOVED, always MISSED!! May you all Rest In Peace........The legend lives on............

[@Beatleman76]

Today 61 years ago today. We lost Buddy, Ritchie, and J.P. Richardson but their music still lives on.

[@blazedupp7089]

You’ll never be forgotten Ritchie Valens. ❤️😔 All 3 of them Rest In Peace

[@mow1416]

We all suffered such a great loss back then. We were stunned. How could this happen to our idols. The talent we lost will never be forgotten. I was only a teenager, and to discover they perished for absolutely no good reason, except a scheduling mixup was absolutely devastating. The one thing that doesn't die, is our memories! R.I.P. Your music will also never be forgotten.

[@mr.oldschool22]

Can't believe they've been gone for 60 years. May they all rest in peace. Gone but never forgotten. 🙁

[@JoelCraike]

Exactly they are never forgotten

[@GabzExistzBruh]

Believe it or not but Ritchie Valens is my cousin. Never met him though because he died at such a early age. But I am glad to be related to an amazing man and a awesome singer. Love you Ritchie.

[@bobtuda]

I was a junior in high school in Hawaii over 62-1/2 years ago today (5/19/2021) when these three great singers (Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson) died in that tragic plane crash on February 3, 1959. I vividly remember dancing to their music at our high school dances. Had those three lived, they would have been super giant rock singers in the 1960s-70s. May you three great singers R.I.P.! Some 21 years later, on March 1, 1980, we moved to the Santa Clarita Valley, California, which is the next valley over from San Fernando Valley where Ritchie Valens lived for his short life of 17 years. I always used to think about him every time I drove through San Fernando Valley. Those three rockers made a lasting impression on me when “The Day the Music Died” on February 3, 1959. This year, 2021, is my 79th year on earth. Some things you never forget.

[@JokersWild70]

Actually, what caused the crash was the pilot was unfamiliar with the gyroscope in that aircraft. He had trained on another instrument. The gyroscope was opposite from what he knew, in that when you pushed down on the wheel, the gyroscope showed the aircraft lifting, and when you pulled up, it showed the aircraft descending, IF you didnt know how to read it. And he didn't.

[@rayvoshall3500]

ray voshall💑

[@jasonvoorhees6416]

no 21 year old should of been flying them anyway .I know for a FACT I would of been on that bus in blankets. But I know the mid west winter cold.

[@mr.midnight5632]

dany maybe they should've hailed a taxi

[@gordonm.7387]

+Mr. Midnight Don't give up your day job.

[@josweet3715]

JokersWild45 Which is called pilot error, which is what they said. Damn, you're dumb.

[@anarchistatheist1917]

rest in peace Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J.P. Richardson, and the pilot Roger Peterson 58 years ago today you passed on but you are not nor will ever be forgotten.

[@Ericbryanmr]

Bob Dylan went to see one of Buddy's last shows and remembers it so well it wrote about how he was just 6 feet away and their eyes met in his literature lecture for the nobel prize in 2016.

[@jaws379]

Ritchie will always be my favorite musical artist

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

Jiles, Buddy, and Richie may have perished that cold February night, but Don McLean was wrong, their music will NEVER die.

[@marinjeanprovost9583]

Like don McLean said the day the music died in the year 1959. Three greats and will always be remembered. In my book. I don't care if this music is before my time. I have always loved it and always will.

[@thomasnigrelli9967]

They died exactly thirteen days before I was born in 1959. I just missed them, but they have always been my idols. I love their music. R.I.P. From Your Friend, Thomas K. Nigrelli.

[@msk.johnson5102]

Great information to people that want to know about the great legends of the 50's. It saddens me that we'lll never know more of the great music they would of created.

[@lieutenantnitewolf4790]

I know its tragic why them as it said in Don McLean's song american pie the three men I admired most the father son and holy ghost I admire there music tragically they died so young I believe the big bopper was the only one that had kids not the other 2 sad that those 3 men never got to live a full life

[@pj9731]

My mother just turned 30 years old and I was 20 months old on the day the music died. This tragic loss has never been forgotten throughout my entire lifetime. The truly amazing thing is, their life and music is still relevant today and will be for generations to come. We are so blessed to have them. They most certainly will "Not Fade Away". 🎸🇺🇸

[@xxsharpyxx1949]

Rock and roll fell apart after this, they were the last people that were doing good rock and roll and that everybody absolutely loved, Elvis did come back but the age of rock and roll was ultimately outdone by teen idols and no one ever rocked with such magnitude again. Ions truly sad to see how music has changed, there is little to no actual talent in the music industry anymore, these people had a true talent ad reason to be on this earth. And now all we can do is remenis on the songs they made, the people they changed, and the impact they made on American culture. R.I.P buddy holly,J.P Richardson, Ritchie valens, Elvis Presley, and R.I.P Rock 'n' roll...

[@elijahbegay7608]

To me: “They Didn’t Die for Nothing!, They Died as Inspired Talented Singers. They’ve Left a Legacy that will Last FOREVER!!!”~Elijah Begay, 2/16/2017. “The Power Of Rock And Roll Forever!” 🤟🎸🎶🤩❤️❤️😎~PEACE✌️😎

[@ljcali2886]

59 yrs today. Rip guys

[@ic2ofu]

Unfortunately, I remember when it happened very well, as I was 21,and a big fan.

[@melvinentus858]

I saw these guys perform in person when I was in highschool. Also saw Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis. I still listen to their music all the time. What great talent. IMHO, today's music can't compare. Guess I'm getting old. Just haven't grown up yet.

[@hshuemaker]

Today is the 55th anniversary of their deaths. R.I.P.

[@sammiejones6101]

Thank you for reminding all of us,because I live in algona iowa not too far from where they died in clear lake iowa.

[@randykoha8936]

5 years

[@cazgerald9471]

Ritchie Valens was only 17 so it's tough to project about his musical trajectory, but what an amazing talent. You never know, he may have been one of the greats. The Big Bopper seemed more of a novelty act in regards to recorded music. I doubt he would have been pushing the envelope with the best of them a decade later. But he obviously had charisma, ambition and was willing to take risks so it's tough to know where his career would have taken him. Buddy would have been at the forefront of the music scene in the mid/late sixties and we'll never know what amazing songs / albums he would have written & recorded. He would have been right up there with all the great artists who recorded during that magical time from about 65-74.

[@basicperson858]

I wish this music still exist even though I'm 9,and the style,you know what I wish the style and everything back then still exist 😭😭

[@donperry101]

2024 and this still breaks my heart. Legends in heaven 😢

[@Jasmine2Sweetpea]

After watching the Buddy Holly story i had to look him up again. I was only 9 when the accident happened but i remember my mom sadly telling me the news. Having a sister who is 4 years older than me we would dance around the house to their music. Sad day for us.

[@davidkonen7159]

When Buddy Holly died, I w*s NOT even born YET (June 26, 1968)

[@brandonortiz228]

This was like the most hurtful moments for some people and those three guys on the plane died with honor and loyalty with there music.

[@robotropicrobochilen444]

Sure, 3 amazing singers died here, but every life matters, REST IN PEACE Roger Peterson, the pilot

[@user-qh6cm2vf7v]

yeah am sad to shearch big bopper exyoum

[@michaelwest1839]

3 legends of rock gone but never forgotten RIP

[@edwardmoriarty2012]

Losing Buddy Holly......one of the saddest memories of my life. Always loved Rock&Roll...Buddy revolutionized it with lyrics that moved the listener.

[@Caine7ify]

Gone, but never forgotten.

[@roypvdh4306]

CLASSICAL SONGS OH DONNA AND LA BAMBA ! IMMORTAL.....SO SAD RITCHIE DIED SO YOUNG TOGETHER WITH BUDDY HOLLY AND THE BIG BOPPER ... WHAT A GREAT TALENTS THEY WERE .....RIP RITCHIE BUDDY BIG BOPPER...

[@IAMdeathblade]

60 years since their voices when silent 🙏🏻 Rest easy Buddy 🎸🎶, Ritchie , Bopper 🎶 and pilot Rodger ✈️🙏🏻

[@kennya26]

2019 and still crying 😭😭😭😭

[@aniamason4165]

They were all very young mostly Ritchie, it’s so sad 😞

[@KalebsLife2018]

I was born and raised 30 miles outside of Lubbock and I have lived in Lubbock 20 years. I know one of Buddy's neices. Its so sad what happened to these young artists! So much talent gone way too soon.

[@sophielegault2278]

65 years ago today😭❤️🕊 February 3rd 1959 R.I.P Buddy Holly, Ritchie Vallens, J.P Richardson❤️❤️

[@brickman409]

I honestly didn't know the song American Pie was about that plane crash. I've heard the song a million times and I knew about the tragedy, but I guess I just never put two and two together lol

[@sixsixxsixxxx]

+brickman409 not about that specifically more spiritually..McClean has never said what it is about...I do believe the line about the door step and widowed bride are autobiographical when McClean was a paperboy in 1959...I think it is just about that age-old theme Lost Innocence and in this case he uses the early innocence of rock and the events of the next decade that changed all that ie: Vietnam, Altamount, Kent State....it is a metaphor for America from the 50's to the 60's and the massive upheavals

[@AlexMartinez-mn8bg]

I thought it was about a heart break

[@karinbauer7501]

The line “but February made me shiver, with every paper I delivered” was a clue

[@desiguy55]

ever since it came out the disc jockeys made it clear this song was about the plane crash.

[@raggedyannie6794]

brickman409 i think it was mainly about buddy holly. Buddy Holly’s wife was pregnant I believe

[@gina1433mhrj]

Such a tragedy, to this day their all greatly missed. I recall in high school in the 60's there wasn't a person that didn't know the words to 'The Day The Music Died'.

[@sheldonjohnson1336]

As a semi truck driver, years ago I was at a Dennys in Clear Lake, IA and saw all of these pictures of these 3 musicans. I asked the waitress who they were and she told me a small piece of the Story. She told me where the crash sight was and I drove down to see it. It is a marker there. I started reading and learning about February 3, 1959.

[@omarjhungoor2598]

There are the three best rock roll singers and we always remember them in our hearts RIP.

[@monochromeyoshi]

It’s been 60 years since these great young singers with a lot of potential died. 😢

[@stimuncy]

The sky belongs to the stars-RIP

[@KalebsLife2018]

I live in Lubbock and Buddy Holly is a legend here! I am friends with his niece. His photos are everywhere you go in Lubbock! There is a museum here, The Buddy Holly Center. On this day, February 3, 1959...59 years ago today was THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED. 😢 RIP Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and JP “BIG BOPPER” Richardson.

[@ShaedTheMoron]

It's hard not to cry when thinking about this. Even for me, someone born over 30 years after this happened.

[@TheJeffman1985]

As of today, it has officially been 60 years since this tragic day.

[@JoelCraike]

It's so sad it is

[@vassa1972]

Thank god that the music didn't actually die with these three singers RIP to all those on board

[@Black_Morgue]

A long long time ago I can still remember how That music used to make me smile

[@angelmadrigal9769]

Life would be different if they were alive..rip

[@erikbaran7197]

No, life would be just the same, for 99.99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999% of the population.

[@BlueDucky-ex6kn]

Rip Ritchie always in are hearts

[@ericburns9132]

And Buddy Holly too

[@iamneverwrong6635]

My 84 year old mom always tells me the story of when she was 19 years old in the Canadian Air Force on base at St Johns in Quebec. She was standing at the bathroom sink, listening to the radio brushing her teeth when she heard the tragic news that Buddy died, along with The Big Bopper and Richie Valens. The says she stood there dumbfounded, tears streaming down her cheeks in shock and grief.

[@fk4515]

I'm setting here in Garner Iowa on the 3rd of February 2016, that's about 9 miles west of where 94N fell from the sky, we've been out to the crash sight to pay our respects and in a military tradition each left a penny. Dwyer Air Service is still in business and the FBO at Mason City Airport, heck the plant I work at had a substitute USDA inspector this week, he was a line boy for Dwyer when he was in high school and dated one of the Dwyer girls. The Surf Ballroom has a big "winter dance party weekend" going on this weekend, it's the second biggest week end after the 4th of July weekend. I'm 56, the crash happened 7 months before I was born. The fact we still remember is a tribute to their life and the music they made and we can morn the music that wasn't made due to the accident.

[@ahcchaooo]

Buddy holly what a great musician!! I love him!!

[@Vlad-ik4dr]

Agree epic

[@leorios4335]

I will say Ritchie had a great Tenor voice Buddy had a Baritone voice And Jp had bass Dude imagine they sing together

[@johnaiello6426]

When he yells Ritchie on the bridge it gets me every time.

[@RG-ja34sep]

Surely the most tragic and saddest thing to happen in the history of Rock and Roll! They were all so young and developing into superstardom, especially Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens.

[@jgc4818]

Many seem to feel that these guys were all destined for greatness, and would be the best singers ever had they lived, but I would argue otherwise. First of all, I mean no disrespect to these legends, they were great men taken from us too early in life. This isn’t an effort to devalue their achievements or anything, simply a bit of a look into what these guys may have done afterwards. And also, I don’t mean that these guys would have shrunken back into obscurity, but most everyone on the tour either would have not been able to continue their established chart success (as in the case of Holly & Big Bopper), or would not be capable of surpassing Elvis, a figure who is often compared to the likes of Ritchie Valens. There were 5 guys on this tour: Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper, Dion and Frankie Sardo, in descending order of how successful they were at that time. Dion and Sardo survived, so let’s look at the mom first. Dion was with a Doo-Wop group known as the Belmont’s, and the bad had originally come from the Bronx. They had a Top 40 hit in 1958 with ‘I Wonder Why’, and we’re able to sustain their success with a good follow up a few moths later. The big hits for them were yet to come, though. In Mid 1959, they had two top tens with ‘A Teenager in Love’, and ‘No One Knows’. The group split in 1960, and Dion started his solo career. His breakthrough came in mid 1961, when he recorded a song by the Name of Runaround Sue. It was an instant hit, and a chart-topping #1 smash for Dion. His follow up, ‘The Wanderer’, also did very well. He became a major pop star and one of the most successful Rocker of the early sixties, maybe only third to Elvis and Ricky Nelson. His fortunes began to go downhill with the arrival of the Beatles, but he was back in 1968 with ‘Abraham, Martin and John’. Dion is alive today. Frankie Sardo was definitely the most obscure artist on the tour. He had had a very minor hit in 1958 or ‘59 with ‘Fake Out’, peaking at about 70 on the CashBox charts. Similar to Dion, he was also an Italian from New York. Sardo’s success as a national recording star was limited though, and Fake Out would prove to be his only charting record. He died in New York in 2014. Now for those who died on that cold night in 1959. First is Ritchie Valens, perhaps the man with the Greatest potential to be a major star. Ritchie was from California, born in 1941, making him 17 in 1959. He was signed on the Del-Fi label, and made it to 42 with ‘Come On, Let’s Go’ in 1958. His follow up was a record called ‘Donna’. It proved to be a massive hit, posthumously peaking at #2 on the Billboard in March of 1959. The flip, ‘La Bamba’, also gained a lot of traction, giving Ritchie a terrific two-sided hit. Ritchie also became very popular among the youth, and many fan clubs were opened. As a matter of fact, he was so popular that his next two posthumous releases made the charts, something few people can claim. I have very little doubt Ritchie’s building success could greatly be hindered by a weak follow-up to ‘Donna’, but that’s what killed Carl Perkins’ career. Of course, these two artists were very different, so it isn’t a great comparison, but it represents my point well enough. Could Ritchie beat Elvis? The odds are slim to none. He could compete with Elvis, but Elvis was an absolute phenomenon unlike anything ever seen before. To date, only the Beatles have managed to top Elvis’ success. Why couldn’t Ritchie beat Elvis? I’ve listened to his debut album, and next two posthumous releases, and they’re good, but the writing is weak, and Ritchie’s voice can be weak in spots, two. This is what made ‘Donna’ successful, I suppose, though. But ‘Donna’ is a ballad, whereas Ritchie Valens is a Rock ‘n’ Roller primarily. Elvis had great songs written for him, and he could sing better than anyone around in the Rock ‘n’ Roll market. Plus, Elvis was a great revolutionary. With the exception of a few records by Bill Haley and maybe Chuck Berry, Rock ‘n’ Roll had had very minor chart success. Elvis came along and gave it that success, and few people had heard anything like it. That was 1956, but In 1959, people had heard it - and they were getting tired of it. That brings us to Buddy Holly. Buddy was from Lubbock, Texas, and switched to Rock ‘n’ Roll after he saw Elvis in concert there in 1955. He recorded a few songs for Decca but they kind of just sat down and died. Then came ‘That’ll Be The Day’. Released in May of 1957, it took off, peaking at #3 on the charts in September. Buddy next released Peggy Sue, another monumental hit, going to #2 on CashBox. The Crickets (Buddy’s band) next released ‘Oh Boy’ and ‘Maybe Baby’. These failed to find the success that ‘That’ll Be the Day’ and ‘Peggy Sue’ did, but they both did well. This is something that will happen to bands. A strong initial hit may propel them to the forefront, but Forget-able or uninventive follow ups may do worse and worse as time rolls on. By late 1958, The songs out by Holly were ‘Heartbeat’ and ‘It’s so Easy’. Heartbeat only peaked at a dismal 82, It’s So Easy didn’t even make the charts. Buddy Holly split from the crickets in late ‘58, and went on tour in the midwest to rack up some new attention as a solo act, from my understanding. But Buddy can’t entirely be blamed for increasingly less-successful music. Rock ‘n’ Roll’s fan base was aging, and going to college, and throughout 1958 it had received terrible media coverage, and the genre had become linked to sex, juvenile delinquency, and violence. Shows like Dick Clark’s American Bandstand helped to kill of Rock ‘n’ Roll by bringing in pretty faces singing corny bland pop music that became successful. Artists Like Chuck Berry, and Jerry Lee Lewis saw their careers disappear before their eyes as they received bad publicity. It seemed only Elvis himself was immune - but then he transitioned into Pop. People were leaving Rock ‘n’ Roll for Pop, R&B, and the increasingly popular Folk. Buddy seemed to have realized this, and he began to move away towards pop music. In 1959, his next single, ‘It Doesn’t Matter Anymore’, saw very limited success. It was a lush pop song with strings and a terrific arrangement, but it wasn’t the Buddy Holly people remembered. After the plane crash, people began buying the record in mass numbers, as a ‘souvenir’ if you will, to remember the deceased Buddy Holly by. And it became a top 20 hit, the last of 5 buddy managed to score. Buddy would have left Rock ‘n’ Roll sooner rather than later, and moved towards studio producing, arranging, and writing, and gone into the pop world, probably. But The days of hits for Buddy would have ended soon thereafter. Then we have Big Bopper, a cat form Louisiana with two hits under his belt. Chantilly lace was a platter in 1958, and Big Bopper’s wedding did well. But Big Bopper was never focused on singing, at least not to the extant that he did with writing, which I would consider his primary occupation in the music world. Big Bopper may have been categorized as a one-hit wonder, had he lived, but he would have gone down as a tremendous Writer, and an excellent Radio Jockey. So there you have it. We’ll never know what would have happened if these guys had lived, whether they would have gone on to greatness or sunken back into nothing. Although they are all equally missed, I think the music world’s greatest loss was the young Ritchie Valens, a man with great potential. The day of February 3, 1959 is an unforgettable one for music fans, and has intrigued many since the day it happened. It’s a great shame to have lost them so young, but that was to be their fate.

[@alaricabercrombie2692]

JGC, thanks for the historical background of the musical careers of these 3 young men....and for your impressive insight, very interesting 😊👏👏

[@z.a.garcia6736]

Bro, Ritchie was the most talented in the bunch. Holly struggled early in his career and Valens just took off in less than 8 months at 17!

[@erikbaran7197]

What does that have to do with anything? At the time Holly was the most popular, best selling and talented among the headliners on that tour. Had the crash not happened, maybe Valens does surpass Holly, or he blew his wad early and was a flash in the pan.

[@ElLuis3]

@@erikbaran7197 Popular doesn't always translate to better.

[@davidkeys4284]

What are you smoking?

[@johnwilliams3758]

I was 12: just getting into 'Grown up' music. The local youth clubs were playing all the terrific hits...Don't believe The Music Died...within a few years we had Elvis, The Beatles, Everly Brothers, The Stones and so many more which became the Golden Age of popular music. These three guys paved the way; their music means they live on in our hearts.

[@nikayla914]

I have been a fan of buddy Holly a year now rip 💔😭

[@judybrasky1701]

Three great people. Such a loss.

[@michealjacksonedits8945]

Still miss Ritchie till this day and still love his music my grandpa gave me a guitar like Ritchie in la bamba practice evey day😢❤️

[@charliecollard6433]

RIP Buddy, thanks for the music

[@davekramer4266]

Finally, an Excellent Narrator, that spoke in Proper English.. It made listening to the story Enjoyable.. as a Kid I remember hearing about the crash on the Radio.

[@horanghae6590]

Who came here after watching La Bamba again

[@lupiyorro]

Me once again.. LoL...

[@erikmartinez4822]

Me

[@snopkoskijr]

Not me but I am going to watch it again tomorrow for sure...

[@dreadieandy2601]

What most seem to forget is that they all had families, and even though we love them and are sad they passed their families heard about it the same time everyone else did. Rip Buddy, Richie, JP, and Roger :) gone but certainly not forgotten your candlelight has turned into a star

[@WG-tt6hk]

In 1959 the news media did not wait for the family to be notified first. They were all in a race to be the first to report. This was presented in the movie in such a heartbreaking manner.

[@brodyx1]

It's been 61 years since this tragic event happend Rip Ritchie,Buddy,and The big bopper

[@kirbyjohnson5487]

People that personally new the 3 stars all say they where the nicest guys you could meet. They would give you the shirts off there backs. R.I.P gentleman! February 3 1959 was a true loss for the world. God bless you. Heaven must have a hell of a band.

[@ininja32]

And let's not forget about American Pie's song "The Day the Music Died", a tribute to those three men who died in the crash.

[@ininja32]

Basically, the loss of three fantastic music performers.

[@micheletravis9057]

ininja32 a very good way to help us remember them. Great comment. Thanks.

[@ininja32]

I am proud to say I am fan of the oldies myself.

[@micheletravis9057]

So am I.

[@HugeLoaf]

Before Don's song to remember these legends, Eddie Cochran recorded 'Three Stars' for Buddy, Ritchie and JP. Check it out. Great song.

[@TheEurokrafts]

Happy 73rd birthday Ritchie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jamesquinn3715]

How can he be 73 when he's dead?

[@dblxde]

@@jamesquinn3715 bruh

[@sunnimartin7928]

If he was still alive lmao slow. He'd be 79 now.

[@RIDETHESUNSHINE]

3 February 2016 . “In sorrow we must go, but not in despair. Behold! we are not bound for ever to the circles of the world, and beyond them is more than memory.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien . Rest In Peace Gentlemen, You all had left this stage to soon, Will

[@darrylevans4401]

60 ago we lost Buddy Holly Ritchie Valens and Big Bopper much much to soon I miss them all.

[@abrahammorrison6374]

Had Buddy Holly not passed away, he would have written music for up and coming musicians from New York. The Big Bopper was a Beaumont, Texas disc jockey that sang. He had his disc jockey abilities to fall back on. Ritchie Valens would have been huge in the Hispanic communities throughout the USA. Bob Keane, who discovered Ritchie Valens, also discovered the Bobby Fuller Four.