TOO MUCH MONKEY BUSINESS: The Elvis Forum

Buddy Holly - Ritchie Valens & The Big Bopper died 52 years ago today.

They all perished in a plane crash together with their pilot, Roger Peterson.

Buddy Holly was 22, Ritchie Valens was 17 & The Big Bopper [J.P. Richardson] was 28.

"The day the music died"



Roger Peterson, the pilot, was aged 21

Such a big loss for music.

Indeed.

Who cares about the pilot and why is his picture bigger than that of my idol Buddy Holly?

Although all of their deaths are sad, and tragic, Holly was the major loss here. Not to discount the lives of the others, but the Big Bopper was probably going to be a one hit wonder. He was a gimmicky DJ that got lucky with Chantilly Lace. Valens had a few good songs, no telling the longevity he would have had. His material other than La Bamba, and Donna isn't anything ground breaking. Holly though was a song writing machine, and a mad man when it came to his music. The guy was bound to have a long, and storied career for sure. His death, for the music world was devastating, with the reverberations still being felt to this day.

Rarely do I disagree with you, but I think Valens was just starting what would have been a phenomenal music career.

I have always thought the big save of the day... Waylon Jennings.

Oh yeah, I forgot about Waylon in that whole deal. Damn lucky....

I liked the movie La Bamba for the record

I have an awful behavior every time hear "Sleepwalk" I cry out "Not my Richie"

I agree with every word, my American friend.

I recently bought the 6 cd set with the Complete Buddy Holly Studio recordings and it's amazing what this guy did in the short time he lived.

No wonder John and Paul were very big fans (Paul bought the copyrights to all Buddy Holly songs years ago).

I agree about Bopper and Valens.
One (or two) hit wonders was their destiny I think.

I keep meaning to get the Holly set that came out a couple of years ago. I look and the price is over £50 at the time.

I should get a Valens collection too.

If he had lived I see Buddy Holly having a few hits in the early 60's, but by the time of the British invasion his chart performances would have dried up.
I could see him having one last big hit single in the late 60's like Bobby Darrin, Bobby Vee or Dion did.
Then like all the 50's rock n' roll stars besides Elvis he would play the oldies circuit during the 70's.
He probably would have continued to record new material throughout the 60's and 70's, but like Ricky Nelson it would largely be ignored.

Richie Valens most likely would have ended up playing the oldies circuit as well.

The Big Bopper probably would have continued to write hit songs for other artists.
People tend to forget that he was a talented songwriter.

P.S. The pilots death was very sad may he rest in peace.

His death was just as much a tragedy as the others.

The photos just came in those sizes.



Better ?

Yes, thank you Colin.

UPDATE - 13th May, 2011:

Ritchie Valens would have been 70 today !

make a note , Mr CB... november 29 coming it will be 10 years
since the great and likeable George Harrison past away.
!0 years!
Javi and I will remember him on Monkey with videos and quizzes.
don't we Jav?!
Elvis cds are to be won ( from my collection, don't panic Jav!)

In the meantime, George's guitar gently sleeps...

I don't do anniversary posts on everybody, & members of the Beatles aren't on my list.

But there's nothing to stop someone else doing one..............

Traitor!

Err.............. this is an Elvis forum, you know !

Way to go! Couldn't agree more

so where do star wars , psycho , Gerry & the Pacemakers and me
fit in?!




Just kiddink akain Herr Kolink !
Ve are alwayz makink spass!
Javi and I vill do ze work on that day.
Lotz of it!

While you're at it, don't forget the anniversaries of the other Beatles....... then there's George Martin........ not forgetting Pete Best............. Stu Suttcliffe............ Brian Epstein.............. Yoko Ono......... Heather Mills.......... oh, this could run & run...........