It’s the anniversary of The Day The Music Died. As most of America was either not born or in diapers at the time, many might not know the story of the tragic deaths that occurred on the night of February 3rd, 1959. Buddy Holly, age 22; Richie Valens, age 18; and Jiles Perry Richardson -The Big Bopper, age 29: all died in a plane crash along with their pilot 21 year old, Roger Peterson. While Richie Valens had recently experienced his major hit with “La Bamba”, it was Buddy Holly who was establishing Rockn’ Roll in the 1950s as part of the American culture.
The 50th anniversary of his death is attracting enormous attention, and rightfully so. He became famous by authoring and performing songs that have been covered by legendary performers over generations. The Beatles paid homage to his influence by choosing the name of an insect just like Buddy Holly & The Crickets. The Rolling Stones had their first number one hit in Britain with “Not Fade Away” which is covered by many rock artists either in the studio or on the stage. Today singer-songwriter M. Ward releases a new album Feb. 17 which includes a cover of Holly’s “Not Fade Away.”
This year his death is being marked with pilgrimages, concerts, radio specials, and individuals pulling out the vinyl and playing songs from another era. Most of America did not know who Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens or The Big Bopper were before their death. They were singers and musicians famous in the subculture of American youth finally free from the impending responsibility of wars in Europe and Asia. Appearing on the Arthur Murray Dance Party Show, Mrs. Murray is dressed in a formal gown and addresses the debate on Rockn’ Roll by reminding viewers to take an interest in the music of today’s youth. She introduces the band and Buddy Holly as a Rockn’ Roll “specialists”.
A tragic death is not what projected these artists into the American consciousness. The plane crash received broad coverage in the Idaho area, but nationally it was not big news. There was also another tragic plane crash that day in New York City’s East River, a landing not as successful as the recent one in the Hudson River; the one in 1959 left 65 people dead. The New York Times did manage to cover the death of the three artists in less than 500 words. It was a tragic death that made the men famous, but their lives and the enduring quality of the music they brought to America.
The event became popularly known as The Day The Music Died through the song of Don Mclean’s “American Pie” which was authored ten years after the plane crash. “American Pie” eventually became a number one hit which was rare for a song that was over eight minutes long. The music and narration tell the story through the perspective of a teenage boy, and goes on to offer metaphors for America’s journey from the days of Rockn’ Roll’s more innocent beginnings to its more tumulus, angry age. The popularity of “American Pie”, and its tribute to Buddy Holly, may offer insight as to the immense attention being given to the anniversary death.
Don McLean himself would never discuss what the various metaphors throughout the song stood for except to state the obvious that it was a tribute to Buddy Holly. The forlorn lyrics that, like all great art, allows for interpretation by new generations under new circumstances. Today,”Bye, bye Miss American Pie…”, can be interpreted in a country facing enormous challenges with joblessness rising and foreclosure filings in the millions as Americans across the country lose their homes and hope in the American Dream. And perhaps this is playing a role in the outpouring of emotion over a death half a century ago.
It was the death of innocence and what might have been. Holly, at 22 years old, and Richie Valens at 18, had accomplished so much recording music that is still cherished by new generations today–on a side note, he had to learn Spanish for the recording available in this video. The Big Bopper was the old man at age 29 with a family. He served in the military and was actually a radio DJ who’s only well known song was “Chantily Lace”. Dreams cut down by fate, by circumstance, by simple everyday decisions. Holly had become fed up with freezing on a broken down bus and wearing dirty clothes, and it was his idea to charter the plane. The Big Bopper was recovering from the flu and also wanted to avoid the bus, which was so cold one of the musicians got frostbite and couldn’t play. Richie Valens wanted on the plane and won a seat on the toss of a coin.
Perhaps America, and people around the world, see a little of themselves in the men who died. Hopes, dreams, successes, and the possibility of tragedy taking it away. Aware that personal tragedies might come at any turn, we honor The Day The Music Died because it didn’t. We honor the day because their music lives and continues a half century later. Their music gives us feeling, joy and tenderness, and their deaths give us hope that life does not end in a lonely dark field on a winter’s night. Rave On.
Nice rememberance……