Feb. 3, 1959: The Day The Music Died – The Lid

Some events are burned into our collective memory even decades after they happened, such as JFK’s assassination, the Challenger explosion, and September 11th are all those types of events. For those old enough to remember February 3rd, 1959, that day is also scorched in their memory and will always be known as “The Day The Music Died.”

Killed in an airplane crash that night were rock and roll icons Buddy Holly, 22, of Lubbock, Tex.; Ritchie Valens, 17, of Los Angeles; J.P. (Big Bopper) Richardson, 24, of Beaumont, Tex., also killed was the pilot, Roger Peterson, 21, of Clear Lake, Iowa. Three of Rock and Roll’s most famous and promising performers were gone. The three were together on a concert tour.