American Pie

"The Day the Music Died" What a fitting phrase to such an American tragedy. Yet, in the aftermath, the music lives on, immortalized in our hearts, in our minds, on the radio, in film, on record, video and CD.

Today in Music History: February 3, 1959

It was a little past 1 a.m. on this day, February 3, in the year 1959. Three rising young musicians' lives ended in an Iowa cornfield. 22-year old Buddy Holly, 17-year old Ritchie Valens and 28-yr old JP "The Big Bopper" Richardson, Jr. died as a result of a plane crash. Inclement weather, icy conditions and pilot error were blamed as the main causes for the crash of their chartered Beechcraft Bonanza plane.

While their careers were only beginning, their legacy is everlasting in a hall of fame honoring the era of rock and roll.  Long live Rock 'n' Roll!

 

"The Day the Music Died" is a line from a song written by American folk rock singer-songwriter Don McLean to commemorate that ill-fated event. The song "American Pie" is considered Don McLean's magnum opus and his signature song.

Since its first recording in 1972, there have been several parodies, revisions and uses of "American Pie." Two of the worst cover songs of all time were performances of "American Pie" by The Brady Bunch and Madonna.

 
From Don McLean on being asked to discuss the meaning of the lyrics to American Pie...

"As you can imagine, over the years I've been asked many times to discuss and explain my song 'American Pie,'" McLean wrote in an open letter to fans in 1993.

"I have never discussed the lyrics, but have admitted to the [Buddy] Holly reference in the opening stanzas. I dedicated the album American Pie to Buddy Holly as well in order to connect the entire statement to Holly in hopes of bringing about an interest in him, which subsequently did occur... You will find many 'interpretations' of my lyrics but none of them by me. Isn't this fun? Sorry to leave you all on your own like this but long ago I realized that songwriters should make their statements and move on, maintaining a dignified silence."

Rediscover the greatness of the aforementioned musicians or energize your soul with new music of an era best exclaimed by Buddy Holly himself in song: “You don’t know what you’ve been a’missing, Oh boy.”

 
Revive deep and heartfelt memories of music that lives on and on and on, here are some select tunes from Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper ...

American Classics! May this music never die!

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times... 

Related Articles:

Don McLean Online: Commentary on “American Pie” from The Don McLean Story

Don McLean’s “American Pie”: 20 Things You Might Not Know About The Ultimate Boomer Anthem

A Brief History of The Day the Music Died