I seemed to have missed my annual update but, February 3rd, is an ominous anniversary. 51 years ago, three legendary musicians perished in an airplane crash en route to Fargo, North Dakota for another performance. Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and J.P. "the Big Bopper" Richardson had just performed a show in Clear Lake, Iowa. Buddy Holly chartered the doomed airplane because another night in a tour bus without heat didn't set well with Holly not to mention the fact that The Big Bopper was coming down with the flu and not to mention Carl Bunch, member of Holly's backing band the Crickets, had a case of frostbite from exposure in the bus. The Crickets were Carl Bunch, Tommy Allsup, and Waylon Jennings. Walyon Jennings gave up his seat to the ailing Bopper and Richie Valens flipped a coin for the final seat aboard the four passenger plane. Richie won the ill-fated toss. Valens, Holly, Richardson and pilot Roger Peterson flew off into the night sky never to return. The plane crashed some 8 miles from the airport. Rumors exist as to the circumstances of the reason of the crash and will probably remain a mystery. Recently, the Big Bopper's son has been petitioning to have his father exhumed to run an autopsy. Jay Richardson states that his father survived the crash and died in the wreckage or contends that his father died of a gunshot wound. Whatever the case may be, the fact remains that a great part of rock and roll died that day in 1959.
This is the memorial that has been erected on the site of the plane crash in Clear Lake, Iowa.
Buddy Holly(September 7, 1936- February 3, 1959) I believe that Buddy Holly did more for rock and roll than Elvis in those early years. Holly was the superior musician and song writer. He embodied a nature of rebellion. I think Elvis duplicated Holly's attitudes after his untimely death. Buddy Holly was survived by his wife pregnant wife Maria Elena Holly. Soon after the crash, she miscarried due to the stress from Buddy's death.
J.P. Richardson (October 24, 1930- February 3, 1959) The Big Bopper was survived by his wife Adrianne, 4 year old daughter Debra Joy and his son Jay Perry Richardson was born in April. The Bopper, at the time of his death, was building a recording studio in his home so that he could record his 20+ new songs with his friends as well as other musicians and be close to his family. Bopper was a well-loved figure in the early days of rock and roll and was a devoted family man.
Richie Valens( May 13, 1941- February 3, 1959). Richie was 17 at the time of his death. Valens had just made "La Bamba" a hit and also the first rock and roll hit to be in Spanish. Richie found an old guitar when he was five and even though it only had two strings he attempt to play it. His father restrung the guitar and encouraged his son to continue playing. Richie would take his guitar to junior and senior high to play for his friends on the bleachers before and after school. Richie was completely self taught at guitar and vocals. Richie recorded two albums in his short musical career. He will be remembered for such hits as "La Bamba", "Ooh My Head", "Come On Let's Go", "Framed", and "Donna". Valens was immortalized in the movie La Bamba. If you haven't seen this movie, do so. Valens' songs have been covered by many bands and will continue to be popular.
The crash of the Beechcraft Bonanza claimed three young rock stars. Their deaths have inspired one of the most popular rock songs to date. Don McLean recorded "American Pie" as a tribute to the three musicians. Even though Madonna butchered this song it will be best remembered for Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Richie Valens. Eddie Cochrane, who performed at the same show as the "Three" and rode the bus, recorded a song called "Three Stars".
The three stars who perirshed were on a tour called The Winter Dance party and here is a website that contains all the dates along with pictures of the shows. It also includes the shows that were supposed to fall the show in Clear Lake, IA.
I have to include some photos from the stop in Mankato simply because that venue is still in existence and out of all the venues on the Winter Dance Party it is the only one still remaining. Also, I went to college near Mankato so I saw posters around town from the Winter Dance Party show in Clear Lake and Mankato.
The Big Bopper
Richie Valens
I think that when rock stars are taken in an untimely fashion they will live on through the ages. As is the case with Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Richie Valens.
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