Today marks the 51 st anniversary of the untimely deaths of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and JP “Big Bopper” Richardson in the airplane crash which would later be immortalized in Don McLean’s song, “American Pie”. We are looking forward to bringing some of this legend to life on the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage in May with Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. Here are a few facts and a few songs from Buddy Holly to remember him by today.
The Story of the Crash
From Wikipedia: Following a performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa on February 2, 1959, Holly chartered a small airplane to take him to the next stop on the tour. He, Valens, Richardson, and the pilot were killed en route to Moorhead, Minnesota, when their plane crashed soon after taking off from nearby Mason City in the early morning hours of February 3.
The Music of Buddy Holly
Listen and watch the rock ‘n’ roll icon himself, in rare footage from the Ed Sullivan Show, singing “That’ll be the Day.” Click here.
Buddy Holly and the Crickets on The Ed Sullivan Show, 1957
Here is Buddy on the Arthur Murray Dance Party, Dec 29, 1957, singing “Peggy Sue.” Buddy Holly and the Crickets, his band, are charmingly introduced as “rock ‘n’ roll specialists.” Click here.
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Facts about Buddy Holly
Known all his life to his family and later his fans as Buddy, his real name was Charles Hardin Holley. Apparently the misspelling of his last name occured on his first contract with Decca Records in 1956 and became his stage name from then on.
The song American Pie by Don McLean was written about the fatal airplane crash that ended the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and JP “Big Bopper” Richardson. It is a common myth that the plane’s name was American Pie. In fact the plane had no name and is known among devoted fans by its wing numbers, N3794N.
Fender Stratocaster
Buddy Holly’s favourite guitar was the Fender Stratocaster. He is reported to have owned as many as five of these guitars in his short career. The last of these is on display at the Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock, Texas (Buddy’s hometown.)
