The Day The Music Died

It slipped by me yesterday, so I'm a day late and a dollar short with this, but the 55th anniversary of the plane crash that killed three music legends was February 3rd.  It was on that day in 1959 that a single engine plane carrying Richie Valens, The Big Bopper and Buddy Holly crashed into an Iowa corn field. While the news shocked the still young rock and roll music world, the news coverage and reaction was relatively subdued.

Twelve years later, however, everyone was singing about the Day The Music Died with Don McLean's iconic hit, American Pie. Anyone who has listened to that song, and who over 40 hasn't, may have wondered what the real meaning behind McLean's song was, and at a show at the Earlville Opera House a few years ago, he had a great answer to that question. When asked what the song meant, McLean paused and then answered "It means I'll never have to work another day in my life." Perfect.

Another interesting note concerning that fateful day. As the story goes, Waylon Jennings was supposed to be on that plane, but he gave his seat up for Richie Valens who was feeling sick and wanted to get to the next concert destination as quick as possible.

Click on this article for more and to link up to a good Time Magazine article from the 50th anniversary of the "Day The Music Died."