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Fans pay tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens & the Big Bopper

admin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:38:52 +0000

Fans around the world are commemorating the 53rd anniversary of the death of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J. P. Richardson (the Big Bopper) today.

Among the main events is the annual four-day commemoration of the Winter Dance Party at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. This was the last venue that the stars played before boarding the plane that would tragically crash shortly after take off. The Surf Ballroom has been designated a historical landmark by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places last year.

The Buddy Holly Center in Buddy’s home town of Lubbock, Texas is also marking the occasion by opening its doors free of charge from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm this evening. The permanent exhibition includes photographs, clothing, report cards, a pair of Holly’s trademake glasses and his Fender Stratocaster guitar.

Let’s step back in time for an example of how the media reacted to the tragedy in 1959. Ren Grevatt had this to say in his February 9, 1959 “On the Beat” column for Billboard Magazine:

Moving up to date, Dion DiMucci, who also played on the Winter Dance Party tour, has paid tribute to the three on his Facebook page:

“Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper – You are well loved and missed my friends. May God bless you always. With love and affection.”

Remembering Buddy Holly

admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:20:11 +0000

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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