Thanks to Don McClean and his tune “American Pie” February 3, 1959 will always be known as the day the music died. That’s when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “Big Bopper Richardson” died in a plane crash along with the pilot, Roger Peterson. The three were bound for Fargo, North Dakota from Clear Lake Iowa. They were on the last leg of the three week long Winter Dance Party tour. Buddy Holly had grown sick of the tour bus that had been transporting the musicians. The vehicle had no heat. One of the musicians even got frostbite. Holly decided to charter a plane. This tragic story has some sad ironies: The plane could only hold three passengers, excluding the pilot. Waylon Jennnings gave up his seat to Richardson who was running a fever. Tommy Alsap and Ritchie Valens tossed a coin for the remaining seat. The 18 year old Valens won.

Here’s a fun-kitchen sink-style video

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