The day the music died

On this day in 1959 was what Don Mclean labeled as “the day the music died,” from his hit song American Pie. It was the day that Rock and Roll legends, Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and J.P. Richardson died aboard their Beechcraft Bonanza airplane, named “Miss American Pie, “ when it crashed in a corn field near Mason City, Iowa, minutes after takeoff.

Their short lifespan (Buddy Holly, 23 and Richie Valens, 18) gives credence to the lyrics, “the good they die young.” The impact they made at such a young age is still feeling the rippling affects today.

Holly and his band The Crickets, recorded such classics as That’ll Be the Day, Peggy Sue and Maybe Baby.

The Beatles chose their name in tribute to the Crickets.
Legendary Bob Dylan said, "I just carry that other time around with me... The music of the late Fifties and early Sixties when music was at that root level--that for me is meaningful music. The singers and musicians I grew up with transcend nostalgia--Buddy Holly and Johnny Ace are just as valid to me today as then."
In addition to the Beatles and Bob Dylan, Buddy Holly also had an influence on The Rolling Stones, The Grateful Dead, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello and Linda Ronstadt.