I remember that day like it was yesterday. I woke up to the news and didn't believe it. After school that day I went to deliver the newspapers on my route and on the front page was a small article about the crash. I must have reread it a dozen times while folding the papers and puting a rubber band around each one. my sister and I were heavy into rock and roll and had every one of his records along with the Bopper and Richie Valens. We spent the whole evening playing those songs. Frank
Doc, You need to get out more often. You've never heard of Dave Hole or Michael Charles from 'The Land Down Under?' Both are world-cl*** R&B musicians a la SRV. R&B is still alive and well. R&B music just doesn’t enjoy the same popularity it once did at its height in the 60's. Even if R&B itself isn’t as popular, the genres that evolved from it are. You can still get a taste of R&B in some hit songs. R&B will never truly die, and is actually having a resurgence at present.
Well, technically "Rave On" was written and originally recorded by Sonny West. Man, I hope you aren't talking about the M Ward cover?? He absolutely rules! Get "Transistor Radio" or "Post War" I totally get that Buddy Holly was a insane talent and a truly great loss to music(it's insane to think of what he would have produced if his life was not cut short). But, to say music has gone to **** since then is absurd. Do you really think there aren't insanely talented people who were influenced by Buddy making music??? This is how I put it, There is still lots of great music out there today, but there was a time when good stuff was unavoidable. It just takes more searching these days...
Buddy was a genius. Far ahead of his time. There is, to this day, much speculation about what music would have been like, had he lived. Many people think the so-called British Invasion would have had significantly less impact, such was his singing/arranging talent. Believe it or not, "Words of Love" and my favorite, "True Love Ways" did not make the Billboard charts! What a loss! And only 22 years old! Bill
And somehow this has what to do with Trad Rodding? Just curious I guess. Holly has been dead since way before most of you fellas were born.
Stevie and Jimmy Vaughn playing Pipeline on a double neck at the same time.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onqzua4bRHY
Music went downhill fast when they put a "face" to music. It went from good music to an image w/ music. So, if you want to put a date on it, it's when MTV went on the air. BB King, Aretha, etc would never even get a contract how because they don't have an image that will sell.
We have friends in Clear Lake Iowa so we've been there a few times. They have a great July 4 celebration, but the highlight is the Surf. I'm not an emotional guy but I was teary the whole visit. Visiting the "crash site" on the anniversary is a religious experience! You can park on a gravel county road and walk about half a mile through a field to a small memorial. One of my greatest memories... (misty eyed)...
At times I have to wonder what the good lord was thinking and a little over a year later Patsy would be gone too. The first time I heard look up in the sky I cryed for 5 min. so sad
Buddy Holly himself would have HATED that sappy song. The American musical landscape would be much better if Don McLean had gotten on that plane instead.
I was there that night, so was my wife of 51 years (we hadn't met yet). Dion and the Belmonds were on stage that night also. I was from Mason City and she was from Clear lake where the accident actually happened and the Surf Ballroom still operates. At the time Dion was a bigger hit than Buddy to most. Both contributed to the times and rock "n" roll immeasurably! After the show all the musicians were at a long table in the entry way signing autographs on 45's and I had one with all of 'em (it was stolen later). Buddy was skinny with big horned rimmed gl***es (so was I), Ritchie Valens was short and stocky with a face full of zits (like most of us) and his mom was with him. Bopper, as I remember was stocky, little older, had a crew cut, and a leopard or tiger striped jacket (blazer) on. Having been there, I believe most were there to see Dion and the Belmonds only to find the Crickets equally entertaining! Their untimely death seems to have brought them more fame and appreciation for their talents then life did at that time. Those were the "real deal years and an "traditional" rods and customs were the only thing out there. RIP rockers and rodders that have left us!
Roleiflex, we made the trip to the surf ballroom in 2010 on our way to the "back to the 50's" show in st paul. It was well worth the time to view this piece of history. Spent a couple hours there just looking. I remember well "the day the music died"
Plymouth 1952,, Thanks from Winchester Va., the home of Patsy Cline, for remembering her also. Her music crossed over into Rock and Roll as ballads for Great slow dancing and hugging your sweetie.....
It wasnt till a year ago i realized i lived by where the big bopper lived back then..i lived in silsbee texas in 1987 by beumont texas where he worked on a radio station..i would of loved to drop by his grave and gave respect...i heard not too long ago they moved his casket to be by his wife..his son and a few others were there when they popped the casket lid because his son who never go to see him except in photos and film wanted to see his dad..not sure if i could do that..but suprisingly they said he was well preserved and looked good...his boy took a snip of his hair to hold...that way he could feel his dad...it was touching to read..and irry like then and now time stood still
Wow, never knew about the casket being moved etc. so sad his son never knew him, happens a lot I guess, we all need to be grateful for the little things in life...thanks for the post, cool to read
Rock n Roll was alive on new years eve when my band played some Buddy Holly as well as others. It will only die if we let it. JW
Where the hell did you find those pictures Dr HEMI!!?? Somewhat morbid, a fascination I never quite understood. I have attended several aircraft crashes in my roll as a Medic, at every one there was always someone taking photos for personal use! What I saw and had to deal with will never leave me, I would never need photos!! Now on topic..........two great losses in the music world.......... Janis Joplin, John Bonham. Don't get me wrong, I still love the good old cl***ic Rock'n'roll!! Doc.
The Jalopy Journal
