"The day the music died" — February 3, 1959: Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper. and Richie Valens

By Jack Brummet, American Music Ed.

Today is the anniversary of "the day the music died." Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and The Big Bopper died on a plane crash in Iowa. Holly had chartered a plane because their bus had become prone to breakdowns and often had no heat. The weather was bad and the plane crashed just after taking off. 

Buddy's band mate and friend Waylon Jennings--to Holly's displeasure--gave up his seat to the Big Bopper, who was sick. Holly told Waylon "I hope that bus breaks down." Waylon said to Holly "I hope your plane crashes," for which he felt guilty most of his life. 

I'm glad Waylon sat that one out, and wish Buddy could have been around to make more songs and see his music venerated by the next generation of people, including most notably, The Beatles.

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