“That'll be the day when I die”
- Buddy Holly/That'll Be the Day
On this day in 1959, a small plane carrying musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson, “The Big Bopper” crashed into a northern Iowa cornfield killing the four people on board. The event became known as "The day the music died" immortalized in Don McLean's 1971 classic song, American Pie.
Holly was only 22, but he was one of the most recognizable figures in the music world at the time of his death. He was a significant influence in the rock and roll revolution that was changing the face of music and culture forever. Countless musicians that would go on to their own fame site Holly as critical in the development of their music and style.
In Bob Dylan's Nobel Prize acceptance speech, he said, “If I was to go back to the dawning of it all, I guess I'd have to start with Buddy Holly. From the moment I first heard him I felt akin. Buddy played the music I loved - the music I grew up on: country western, rock and roll and rhythm and blues.”
Others like Lennon and McCartney of the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Elvis Costello and Bruce Springsteen all name Holly as a fundamental influence.
At the time of the crash, Holly and his band as well as Valens and The Big Bopper were on a 24 city tour across the upper midwest called “The Winter Dance Party.” In the lousy winter weather, Holly got fed up with their tour bus and its faulty heater. After a show in Clear Lake, IA, he decided to charter a plane to get to the next stop in nearby Fargo, ND. With room for only the pilot and three others on the Beechcraft Bonanza, Holly, Valens and Richardson paid the $36 each for the flight.
What may not be known by many is, that Buddy Holly's band at the time consisted of Tommy Allsup on guitar, Carl Bunch on drums, and a guy named Waylon Jennings on bass. Jennings was tired of the freezing bus too and wanted to pay to get on the plane. He ended up giving the open seat to Richardson, though, who had a cold. Still, he was irritated at the situation. In his autobiography, Jennings said that his parting words to Holly that night were, “I hope your damn plane crashes.” He said the remark had haunted him ever since.
On a sunnier note, Happy Birthday, Kerri Herman!