50 years ago today, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and Big Bopper James Richardson died in a plane crash while touring the midwest. What's known as 'The Day the Music Died' is remembered today in various ways: Iowa's Surf Ballroom, where Holly, Valens, and Bopper played their final gig, hosted a tribute concert last night; NPR pays homage with a news story complete with audio clips; and South Florida's beloved festival Langerado kills the music in its own way. It is indeed a sad day in history.
We can forever look back to the tragic event and remember the trio with thankful ears, knowing that although Buddy Holly would probably still be selling out MSG today, he inspired countless musicians in his place, not to mention the lyrics to everyone's favorite Weezer singalong and the Don McLean song you know you're singing in your head right now (cha cha told me it was the most annoying and overplayed song of all time, but extensive and torturous research has convinced me otherwise). We may not all want to hear La Bamba too many times or recognize the poetic genius of Chantilly Lace, but Ritchie Valens and James Richardson both contributed to the rock and roll movement that has led to pretty much everything we know and love today.
So with a respectful nod to the past and a hopeful look to the future, just remember what we were all doing on the day the music died: we were singing...
1 comment:
Ah, my cousin, I have found your super-secret-ish blog. I have ways. (and if you are interested, I will tell you the location of my own super-secret-ish blog...)
Also, I now have that song in my head, which makes me think of learning that song in camp after 7th grade. I had no idea what it was actually about for years.
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