The day the music died

Every generation has its memorable moment in music. For some it was the British invasion, when The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Herman’s Hermits, and others, crossed the Atlantic. For another it was the hair bands like Bon Jovi and Whitesnake. And then there was the envied generation (sarcasm noted) who got to grow up with the boybands like NKOTB and N’Sync. Those who grew up in the 50s actually saw the birth of Rock and Roll and the end of danceable music.

Rock history (and song lyrics) has designated February 3, 1959 as the day the music died. The plane crash that took the lives of Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper occurred shortly after takeoff from a small airport in Iowa. They were traveling as part of “The Winter Dance Party Tour” performing in 24 cities over a three-week time span; the concert in Clear Lake, Iowa was a last minute add on to the schedule. Initially only Holly, and his band, were to be on the plane. Valens became a passenger after the flip of a coin and the Big Bopper was allowed on because he was ill.

The tragedy was memorialized in the early 70s when Don McLean wrote “American Pie.” While the song is open to interpretation, the lyrics appear take a trip through Rock and Roll history.

Read more at Fifties Web.com