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On this day in 1959, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson (the Big Bopper) lost their lives in a plane crash on route to a concert in Moorhead, Minnesota.

The performers were a three-week ‘Winter Dance Party’ tour of the Midwest, which had commenced on January 23. The tour conditions were far from ideal, particularly after the heating system in the tour bus broke down. After the show at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, Buddy Holly chartered a small plane to take him to the next stop on the tour. He was joined on the plane by Valens and Richardson. The plane crashed soon after take off, killing all on board. Dion DiMucci of Dion & The Belmonts, who was the fourth headline performer on the tour, was approached to join the flight as well but declined.

Buddy Holly was one of the true early greats of rock ‘n’ roll. This innovative artist influenced both his contemporaries and later musicians, including The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Bob Dylan. It’s amazing to think that he was dead within 18 months of hitting it big. We can be thankful that he crammed so much quality work into such a short period.

To mark the anniversary, here’s some tracks to enjoy from Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper.

Buddy Holly – True Love Ways

Buddy Holly – Rave On

Buddy Holly – Peggy Sue, That’ll Be the Day and Oh Boy

Richie Valens – La Bamba

Richie Valens – Come on Lets Go

Big Bopper – Chantilly Lace

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