#bigbopper

By: Brendan McAleer

"The Day the Music Died refers to the tragic plane crash on February 3, 1959, that claimed the lives of American rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, along with pilot Roger Peterson. The crash occurred shortly after takeoff from Clear Lake, Iowa, during the Winter Dance Party tour, where the musicians were performing. The event has since been memorialized in various forms, including a monument at the crash site and a museum in Holly's hometown. The phrase "The Day the Music Died" became famous through Don McLean's 1971 song "American Pie," which reflects on the cultural impact of the loss of these artists and the subsequent changes in the music industry." (Wikipedia) - *Photos are all stock photos available on internet sites*

A 1958 rock and roll song by The Big Bopper. It was produced by Jerry Kennedy and reached No. 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song was originally released as the flip side to "The Purple People Eater Meets The Witch Doctor", which parodied "The Purple People Eater" by Sheb Wooley and "Witch Doctor" by David Seville. This was J.P. Richardson's first release under the moniker The Big Bopper. However, DJs and the public preferred the flip side of "Chantilly Lace", and it was this song that became a hit. The song depicts a young man flirting with his girlfriend on the telephone and listing things about her that he likes.