The Day The Music Died

February 3rd was a very sad day in the music world in the year 1959. Rock and Roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson were all killed in a plane crash. The pilot and musicians crashed in Clear Lake, Iowa and that was the day "The Music Died".

Buddy Holly and his band had been playing on the "Winter Dance Party" tour across the Midwest. Rising artists Valens and Richardson were along on the tour. The tour and long rides between the venues had left the members of the bands on board cold, uncomfortable and tired of riding on tour buses. In addition the flu had struck the group and frostbite due to the long cold rides were beginning to affect members as well. The facts led Holly to charter a plane for him and his band members of Waylon Jennings, Tommy Allsup and Carl Bunch. Jennings gave the seat to Richardson who had the flu and was under the weather. A coin toss settled the fact that Valens would be a passenger on the plane rather than Allsup. The fate that would seal the deal and also stop the music for some awesome musicians who were stopped in their tracks at such a young age.