58 Years Ago today (2/3/59) rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson were killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, together with pilot Roger Peterson. The event later became known as “The Day the Music Died“, after singer-songwriter Don McLean so referred to it in his 1971 song “American Pie.” Of interesting note, was that Waylon Jenning who would soon go onto country western fame as one of the original outlaws was supposed to have been on the flight. Richardson had contracted flu during the tour and asked Waylon Jennings for his seat on the plane. When Holly learned that Jennings was not going to fly, he said in jest: “Well, I hope your ol’ bus freezes up.” Jennings responded: “Well, I hope your ol’ plane crashes”, a humorous but ill-fated response that haunted him for the rest of his life. Watch Buddy and the Crickets perform “That’ll Be The Day” live…
