February 3rd:
On this day, 51 years ago, a Beechcraft Bonanza, registry N3794N, took off from the airport in Clear Lake, Iowa at 12:55 PM. Approximately five minutes later, the plane descended into a corn field, instantly killing all four on board.
The death of these four, pilot Roger Peterson, along with passengers Richard Valenzuela, J. P. Richardson, and Charles Holley, sent shock waves across the United States.
For most, you may ask, why did the death of these three passengers you've never heard of create such an impact.
The truth is, you may have heard of all three after all, as they all had adopted stage names to accompany their musical perfomances.
Richard Valenzuela, better known as Ritchie Valens, is known for his eight month long recording career which produced one major hit, the much loved "La Bamba."
Jiles Perry Richardson, better known by his nickname of "The Big Bopper," was known for his oversize personality, and hit song "Chantilly Lace."
The last of the three was arguably the most famous. Charles Hardin Holley, known by his stage name of "Buddy Holly." Produced a series of hits in his career spanning only a year and a half, and helped to develop the image of early Rock and Roll. His hits included "That'll Be the Day" and "Peggy Sue," and his style continues to influence modern artists. Examples, just look to Weezer's song titled "Buddy Holly."
With the sudden death of these three legends of early rock and roll, February Third became known as "The Day the Music Died," a phrase you may have heard listening to Don McLean's "American Pie" which serves as a musical tribute to the late artists.
So, take a second of your time in memorial, and let us wonder how rock and roll could have developed differently had these three early stars not meant their untimely ends on this day in 1959.
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