Tag Archives: American Pie song

Music Monday: October 12, 2026

Posted in Music Monday by

Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

#musicmonday #musicblog #musicandlyrics

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

“Breakfast At Tiffany’s” was released 65 years ago on October 6, 1961. As much as I loved watching the happenings in the life of Miss Holly Golightly and her fabulous wardrobe, I absolutely swooned over the film’s theme song, whether it was the version sung onscreen by Audrey Hepburn or the Henry Mancini score version playing randomly throughout the film. Over the years it has been covered by some of my favorite musical artists from Jerry Butler (1961) to Frank Sinatra (1964) to Rod Stewart (2010) to a collaboration between guitar masters Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck (2023). Classic songs, like classic movies, are always in style.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

George Peppard (L) and Hepburn (R). (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Don McLean released his second album, American Pie, 55 years ago in October 1971. The first single-the title track-was released a month later. It became an anthem for many including the generation still mourning the loss of three musical artists-Buddy Holly, Jiles Perry “J.P.” Richardson (a/k/a The Big Bopper) and Ritchie Valens, who died in a plane crash on February 3, 1959-which the song taglined as “the day the music died”. The track became a huge hit, reaching #1 on January 15, 1972 & staying in that spot for four consecutive weeks. The track has become iconic for its imagery, subject matter & length, with the album version clocking in at 8:33.

The album’s second single, released in February 1972, was inspired by artist Vincent Van Gogh, even referencing the name of one of his most famous paintings-The Starry Night-in the opening lyric (“Starry starry night, Paint your palette blue and grey”). One of his quotes always comes to mind this time of year: “As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas and colors enough to paint the beautiful things I see.”

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Burton Cummings released his debut self-titled solo album 50 years ago in October 1976. The first single became a Top Ten hit in early 1977. This came on the heels of his decade long tenure as the lead singer of The Guess Who from 1965-1975. He was born December 31, 1947 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He never finished high school because he wanted to pursue a career in music. By the end of 1965 he joined Chad Allan & the Expressions which eventually became The Guess Who. Cummings became the lead singer and the primary songwriter along with guitarist Randy Bachman.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The comedy “Amen” premiered 40 years ago on September 27, 1986 and ran for five seasons until May 1991. It starred Sherman Hemsley as Deacon (and miserly attorney) Ernest Frye, Anna Maria Horsford as his daughter, Thelma and Clifton Davis as the church’s newest member, Reverend Reuben Gregory, who instantly became the object of Thelma’s affection.

The series was created and produced by Emmy award winner Ed. Weinberger who was one of the original players at MTM Productions (the group that brought us “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” amongst others). He also co-created the series “Taxi”, “The Cosby Show”, “Dear John” and many others.

The cast of “Amen” (L-R): Jester Hairston, Anna Maria Horsford, Roz Ryan, Barbara Montgomery, Sherman Hemsley and Clifton Davis. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Audrey Hepburn: “Moon River” (1961, written by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer).

Henry Mancini & His Orchestra: “Moon River” (1961, written by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer).

Elton John: “Moon River” (2003, recorded live in France. Written by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer).

Don McLean: “American Pie” (1971, written by Don McLean).

Don McLean: “Vincent” (1971, written by Don McLean).

Don McLean: “Crossroads” (1971, written by Don McLean).

Burton Cummings: “Stand Tall” (1976, written by Burton Cummings).

Vanessa Bell Armstrong: “Shine On Me” (used as the theme song for thr TV series, “Amen”. 1986, written by Andraé Crouch).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: February 2, 2026

Posted in Music Monday by

Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

February 3, 1959: The day the music died.

Story of the crash as reported in The Courier-Journal, Louisville, KY on February 3, 1959. (Image found on Newspapers.com. Original source unknown.)

October 24, 2025 marked the 95th birth anniversary of Jiles Perry Richardson Jr., better known by his stage name, “The Big Bopper”. This Sept will mark the 90th birth anniversary of Charles Hardin Holley, known by his stage name, Buddy Holly. Tomorrow marks 67 years since the fatal plane crash that ended their lives on Feb 3, 1959 along with those of musician & singer Ritchie Valens (born Richard Steven Valenzuela on May 13, 1941) and their pilot, Roger Peterson (age 21).

“But February made me shiver
With every paper I’d deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn’t take one more step

I can’t remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride
But something touched me deep inside
The day the music died”.

Jiles Perry “J.P.” Richardson Jr., a/k/a The Big Bopper: October 24, 1930 – February 3, 1959.

Buddy Holly: September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959.

Ritchie Valens: – May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959.

Roger Peterson: May 24, 1937 – February 3, 1959.

L-R: Jiles Perry Richardson Jr., a/k/a “The Big Bopper”, Buddy Holly. Ritchie Valens and their pilot, Roger Peterson (age 21).(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

J.P. Richardson a/k/a The Big Bopper: “Chantilly Lace” (1958, written by J.P. Richardson). 

Buddy Holly: “Rave On” (1958, written by Norman Petty, Bill Tilghman and Sonny West).

Ritchie Valens: “Come On Let’s Go” (1958, written by Ritchie Valens).

Don McLean: “American Pie” (1971, written by Don McLean).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: January 29, 2024

Posted in Music Monday by

Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Blog image for 2024

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

This Saturday will mark 65 years since Buddy Holly (aged 22) died with two other musicians-Jiles Perry “J.P.” Richardson Jr., better known by his stage name The Big Bopper (aged 28) and Ritchie Valens (aged 17)-along with their pilot, Roger Peterson-in a plane crash in Clear Lake, Iowa on February 3, 1959. The cause of the tragedy remains unknown to this day.

Holly

Charles Hardin Holley, better known as Buddy Holly, circa 1957. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Referred to at the time as “The Day The Music Died” because the crash was believed to mark the end of the early rock & roll era, the phrase  was immortalized by Don McClean in his now legendary ode from 1971. Released more than a decade after the crash, the loss of three musical pioneers-a teenager, a newlywed and a married father of one with another on the way-and the only one of the three to serve in the U.S. Army-still resonated with those who never recovered from the “bad news on the doorstep” on that cold February morning. 

The Big Bopper

Jiles Perry “J.P.” Richardson Jr., a/k/a The Big Bopper, circa 1958. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

My post from 5 years ago explored the families left behind by these three men. And their roots in music still run deep more than six decades after that awful day. Two are already members of The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame-Holly and Valens-while a 2017 documentary I have yet to find on a streaming service, “Bopper & Me“, explores one man’s quest to have Richardson inducted as well. As a songwriter, one of his most famous compositions aside from the one he sang is “White Lightning” by George Jones. It became his first #1 country hit for five weeks in April/May 1959, about two months after Richardson’s death. The song is featured prominently in the first episode of Showtime’s 2022-2023 miniseries, “George & Tammy“.  

Valens

Richard Steven Valenzuela, better known as Ritchie Valens, circa 1958. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The crash linked these men forever in history by death, by comparison to their unbelievably short lives and by their musical legacies. But it connected a lot of other people, too. And every year when this somber anniversary comes around, I cannot help but think of the fans in the audience at the Surf Ballroom who watched these three men perform on February 2, 1959. As a music lover myself, I know how long my high lasts after a show by one artist, so to see so many in one night must have been a phenomenal feeling. But then to wake up the next morning to that tragic news, how could those people even comprehend that their presence at one show at one moment in their lives tied them forever to these three artists, to history and to fate? What a staggering reality. 

Feb 1 1959
Bopper Valens Holly 2

These two pictures appeared in a February 2023 online story about the 1959 Winter Dance Party Tour and tragedy. It suggested that both photos were taken on February 1, 1959 at the show at the Green Bay, WI Riverside Ballroom. However, I believe the bottom photo is the same as the top one except it has been photoshopped with Valens image to show the three men together. But that is just my theory. Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

The Big Bopper: ”Chantilly Lace” (1958, written by J.P. Richardson). 

Buddy Holly: “Everyday” (1957, written by Buddy Holly and Norman Petty). 

Ritchie Valens: ”La Bamba” (1958, written by Ritchie Valens based on a traditional Mexican folk song).

Don McLean: ”American Pie” (1971, written by Don McLean). 

Stay safe & well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 313

Posted in Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Shakespeare music

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

This month marked the 50th anniversary of Pearl, Janis Joplin’s final album released three months after her death in October 1970. This month also marked her 78th birth anniversary. Joplin, who was born January 19, 1943 in TX, was the second of three artists to die at the age of 27 of a heroin overdose in a one year period. Jimi Hendrix died first in September 1970, then Joplin & then Jim Morrison in July 1971 (No autopsy was ever performed on Morrison so that is the suspected cause of his death). For many who lived through the 1960’s, these three deaths marked the end of what that decade represented: peace, love, the surge of American music after the British Invasion years & the break-up of The Beatles.

For a woman to be in that arc when many of her female counterparts were pursuing folk sounds & singer/songwriter status, Joplin was in a class all by herself. She had just fully established herself as a solo performer after her lead singer role in Big Brother & The Holding Company rock band. While I was never a big fan of most of the music I heard from her-it was a little too raw and explosive for my taste-there is no denying her sound was all her own with its blues/jazz/rock interpretations.

As much as I worship one of the writers of today’s song-Kris Kristofferson-I must admit today’s version is my favorite. It hit the top spot in the country for two weeks in March 1971. And there are many reports that she is who Don McLean referenced in his hit “American Pie” in the lines: “I met a girl who sang the blues/And I asked her for some happy news/But she just smiled and turned away”. However, I could not find any confirmation of this in my online research. But it makes a great story, as do the lyrics of today’s song.

“I pulled my harpoon out of my dirty red bandana
I was playin’ soft while Bobby sang the blues
Windshield wipers slappin’ time
I was holdin’ Bobby’s hand in mine
We sang every song that driver knew“.

Janis Pearl

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Janis Joplin: “Me & Bobby McGee” (1971, written by Fred Foster and Kris Kristofferson).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.