The Day the Music Died

“I can’t remember if I cried when I read about his widowed bride, but something touched me deep inside the day the music died.”

It was just after 1:00 a.m. on 3 February 1959 when the history of rock and roll was changed forever. While America’s teenage “boomers” slept, the plane carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J. P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, and pilot Roger Peterson crashed in Clear Lake, Iowa. The event became known as “the day the music died”, and was immortalized in the 1971 song “American Pie”, by Don McLean.

A few days ago a co-worker with a keen historical memory reminded me that the 50th anniversary of this terrible day was just around the corner. I began working on a simple 20-minute podcast, but stopped when I discovered that WBAI (Your Peace and Justice Community Radio Station, 99.5 FM, NYC) was rebroadcasting its 1979 radio special: Not Fade Away. The show was produced by Peter Bochan and has been republished on the Public Radio eXchange. I have also archived it here.

When compact discs were first introduced in the 1980s, my local record store was promoting the new technology by offering up free mini 3-inch discs of Buddy Holly which contained new digital re-issues of That’ll be the Day; Oh Boy; Not Fade Away; and Fool’s Paradise.

“Not Fade Away”- Buddy Holly 50th Anniversary Special

A ninety minute documentary about Buddy Holly and the Crickets, celebrating his life & music, on the 50th anniversary of “The day The Music Died”.

“Not Fade Away” takes a long look back at one of the most influential figures in popular music history Buddy Holly, whose tragic death in a small plane crash with fellow musicians Richie Valens and the Big Bopper on 3 February 1959 set off headlines around the world and still resonates in pop culture today.

Featuring rare and exclusive interviews with all the Crickets, Holly biographer John Goldrosen, producer Norman Petty, rock critics Dave Marsh and Jonathan Cott, Buddy’s parents and wife, producers of “The Buddy Holly Story” film (which featured Gary Busey in his breakout role), comments from his fans, vintage clips from Dick Clark, Ed Sullivan and Alan Freed with Buddy himself mixed together with his greatest hits.

Music from Bruce Springsteen, Don McClain (whose classic hit “American Pie”, immortalized “The Day The Music Died), The Grateful Dead, Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Waylon Jennings, Freddie Fender, Tom Rush, Santana, The Mamas & The Papas, Chris Spedding, Ricky Nelson, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Fleetwood Mac, Roky Erickson, Wreckless Eric, Bob Montgomery, Sonny Curtis, Mike Berry, The Beach Boys, Jimmy Page, Blind Faith, Bobby Vee, Jesse Colin Young, Denny Laine, Paul McCartney (who started up “Holly Days” in honor of one of his first heroes), The Beatles (who’s very name was inspired by “The Crickets”) and many more.

Download the 3-part show.