Classic Pop Icons

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:

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“Listen to Me: Buddy Holly” – tribute album
Test your knowledge of Buddy Holly

A star-studded tribute to Buddy Holly will air on PBS in December.

“Buddy Holly: Listen To Me/The Ultimate Buddy Party” includes performances from a Buddy Holly 75th Birthday tribute concert that took place at the Music Box in Hollywood on September 7. Among the artists featured in the special are Stevie Nicks, Chris Isaak, Lyle Lovett, Raul Malo, Graham Nash, Paul Anka, Phil Everly, Patrick Stump and James Burton. There are also taped messages from big name fans of Holly, including Ringo Starr, Keith Richards, Brian Wilson, Jackson Browne and Eric Idle.

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Buddy Holly would have been 75-years-old today if he hadn’t died tragically in a plane crash on February 3, 1959, aged just 22. To mark the occasion, the latest Classic Pop Icons “Rock and Pop Quiz” is devoted to the life and career of Buddy Holly. For each of the 20 questions, you are asked to choose the correct answer from four possibilities. Once all 20 have been selected, click the “Show Results” button to find out how well you did.

See also: Stars pay tribute to Buddy Holly