Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
This month marks 66 years since Buddy Holly (age 22) and two other musicians-Jiles Perry “J.P.” Richardson Jr., better known by his stage name, The Big Bopper (age 28) and Ritchie Valens (age 17)-along with their pilot, Roger Peterson (age 21)-died in a plane crash on February 3, 1959 in Clear Lake, Iowa. The actual cause of the crash remains unknown with only speculations as to probable causes.
Remembering the four men who died 66 years ago in Clear Lake, Iowa (pictured L-R): Jiles Perry “J.P.” Richardson Jr., better known by his stage name, The Big Bopper, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the pilot, Roger Peterson. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)
That tragedy was believed to mark the end of the early rock & roll era, so it was referred to as “The Day The Music Died”. That phrase was immortalized by Don McLean in his now legendary ode from 1971, “American Pie”. Its popularity continues to resonate as evidenced by the fact that the official YouTube video for the song has amassed over 40 million views.
Don McLean circa 1971. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)
The music of the three artists who died in the crash continues to be a part of pop culture more than six decades after their deaths. Some significant examples include a Holly song featured in a 2008 episode of one of my favorite TV shows, “Lost” (S4 E11, “Cabin Fever”) 51 years after the track’s initial release. The Big Bopper’s biggest hit appeared in the S4 finale of “Murphy Brown” (“Birth 101”) which aired May 18, 1992. When Eldin sang it to Murphy while she was overwhelmed by the pain of her labor in an episode which was broadcast 33 years after Richardson’s death, it allowed him to became a part of pop culture in a whole new way. Valens’ story was the feature of the 1987 movie, “La Bamba” and his songs have been heard in at least two iconic movies, “Grease” & “The Right Stuff”.
After over six decades I did not expect to have anything new to add to this monumentally tragic event. But last week I stumbled upon the 2022 documentary, “The Day The Music Died: The Story Of Don McLean’s American Pie“. It is a deep dive into his song verse by verse, the musicians involved in its recording, its impact in music while also taking an inside look at the arena where the three men played for the last time-The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa-during the Winter Dance Party tour. Valens’ sister, Connie, is featured in the film and is shown meeting McLean the day he performs at that venue.
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
One part of the documentary I found particularly moving came from the producer of McLean’s epic song, Ed Freeman, who expressed such a poignant sentiment about it:
“(The song) was really encapsulating the experience of a whole generation. We were witness to the death of the American dream…..Hippies thought we were gonna take over the world with love and peace. It didn’t happen. For me, “American Pie” is the eulogy for the dream that didn’t take place. It was real important that way. I think we all needed it. It was an acknowledgement of what we had been through and in a way, because it was an acknowledgement, we could move on”.
Buddy Holly: September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959.
Jiles Perry “J.P.” Richardson Jr., a/k/a The Big Bopper: October 24, 1930 – February 3, 1959.
Ritchie Valens: – May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959.
Roger Peterson: May 24, 1937 – February 3, 1959.
A Winter Dance Party poster image found on the NYC Met Museum website. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Buddy Holly: “Everyday” (1957, written by Buddy Holly and Norman Petty).
J.P. Richardson a/k/a The Big Bopper: “Chantilly Lace” (1958, written by J.P. Richardson).
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.
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