The day the music died
Thoughts for the day
Feb. 3 marks the anniversary of the deaths of Buddy Holly, J.P. Richardson (“The Big Bopper”) and Ritchie Valens in a tragic plane crash on a cold, snowy night in Iowa. The pilot, Roger Peterson, also died.
Many know this as “the day the music died” thanks to Don McLean’s 1971 hit, “American Pie.” Rock aficionados know it because of the enormous talent lost that night.
The story goes that tired of broken-down busses and endless nights on the road as part of a poorly managed tour, Holly chartered the four-seat aircraft to take his band to the next date. Valens is said to have won his seat on a coin flip with band member Tommy Allsup. The other member of Holly’s band on that tour was Waylon Jennings. He gave his up to Richardson, who was ill, a decision that haunted Jennings for the rest of his life.
Dion DiMucci, of Dion and the Belmonts fame, who was also on the tour, disputes some of that, but as John Ford reminds us, when the legend becomes fact, print the legend.
Holly had accomplished much in his short career, helping give birth to the rock era, and was showing maturity in his music that no doubt would have led to a long and storied career as a singer, writer and producer. John Lennon and Paul McCartney went to school on Buddy Holly.
If not as much as a musician, Richardson’s background as a personality could easily have seen him having an influence on the genre for years to come. An no doubt he would also have had a lasting influence as a songwriter — his “White Lightning” was George Jones’s first number one.
Valens’s short career lasted just eight months, yet in that time he would be an influence on countless musicians we consider legends today. He was only 17. One can only imagine what an alternate future had in store for him.
Amazing to think about how simple decisions change the course of our universe. Could you imagine the world without Waylon Jennings? And McLean certainly had a lot in mind with “American Pie,” but would he have come up with one of the greatest songs in history without that hook?
Do the kids these days have any idea? As years go by and the music world changes, it’s up to us to keep it alive.
Editor’s Note
Just because I share something doesn’t necessarily mean I agree with it, but it will always be a valid point of view worth considering. The rest is 100 percent Six.
The Six
No. 1
Speaking of rock and roll, yesterday, The “Rock & Roll” Hall of Fame class of 2022 nominees were announced. My feelings about the museum are lukewarm, but I have taken on the causes of nomination snubs in recent years: Yes, Procol Harum, My beloved Moody Blues, The Zombies… This year, I again have one name in mind: Warren Zevon. Ultimate Classic Rock answers all sorts of questions and talks who got snubbed.
No. 2
I’m a space nerd. If you are like me, and I know I am, you’ve been wondering just how long they can keep that space station going. Now we know. NASA plans to retire the International Space Station by 2031 by crashing it into the Pacific Ocean (CNN).
No. 3
Sarah Palin's court battle with the New York Times resumes. “She's seeking unspecified damages based on claims that an editorial in the Times hurt her budding career as a political commentator,” NPR reports. This is a big one — because I think this is designed ultimately to challenge New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, the supreme court decision that said a public official must prove actual malice in a defamation case. The Washington Post explains.
No. 4
Tough week for Tesla. Reuters reports the company has recalled more than 800,000 vehicles for a faulty seat belt reminder chime. Tuesday it recalled over 50,000 vehicles for the possibility of not coming to a complete stop at intersections while on the full self-driving software. Ironic, as there have also rumbles of a probe into complaints about phantom breaking — vehicles stopping for no reason.
No. 5
When the MLB owners locked out the players last year, we were assured it was all going to be OK. Even the talking heads were saying so. Typically, pitchers and catchers would be reporting to spring training in a week or two. Now, some are questioning if opening day is in jeopardy. This afternoon, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported the league has asked for a Federal Mediator.
No. 6
The Winter Games are already underway, but for most of us, the opening ceremonies will be viewed tonight in prime time. The Post with everything we need to know to be ready!
Quote(s) of the Day
“Because Ritchie Valens WAS the real deal. He was only starting, but in the time he spent in the business, he made big impact. I don't know if anybody could have made a bigger one.” — Waylon Jennings
“But Buddy was an upper. He was happy. He loved music, and he was really happy. I don't know... I don't believe in reincarnation at all, but if all that stuff is true, then he might have been on his last time around.” — Waylon Jennings
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About
Christopher Six is a passionate advocate of community journalism with more than 30 years in the media, corporate communications and marketing. An award-winning designer, columnist, illustrator, photographer and newsroom leader, he is a respected voice in journalism ethics. A veteran reporter, he has created and taught news writing seminars for community colleges and the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association.