Posts tagged ‘The Day The Music Died’
Happy Birthday Buddy!
If you haven’t already heard it on the radio, Buddy Holly would’ve been 75 years old today. Its fascinating that an artist such as Mr Holly, who died at 22, can have such a lasting impact on rock and roll. He had only been recording for 2 years and still had written and performed some of the most progressive music of its time, laying the foundation for years to come.
He has long been loved in the music industry. There have been countless covers of his songs over the years but perhaps the most exciting has to be the latest release, Rave On Buddy Holly. Released on June 28 this year, the album is a compilation in which various artists put their take on Buddy’s songs. What’s most exciting is the list of artists on the album. Artists like My Morning Jacket, Black Keys, Lou Reed, Modest Mouse, Cee Lo, Paul McCartney, Florence and the Machine, She and Him, Julian Casablancas, etc.. This album is amazing and I’m super glad that it happened. The great part is that all of the artists on the record were most definitely inspired one way or another by Buddy’s music. Check it out if you get a chance. Listen to Shady Groove’s upcoming podcasts for a taste.
Buddy Holly is most known for dying in a plane crash on “The Day The Music Died”. Also in the crash were fellow musicians Richie Valens and JP “the Big Bopper” Richardson. What is not known is the conditions that led to the crash. Here’s a quick history lesson. They were on a grueling tour of midwestern states in the dead of winter on a crappy bus that was breaking down left and right. Bandmates were getting the flu and hands and feet ere frostbitten from having to walk through the snow when the bus broke down. Buddy Holly was pissed about the conditions and told his bandmates that they should charter a plane. The way it worked out, “Big Bopper” had the flu so Holly’s bass player at the time gave up his seat.
Lucky for Holly’s bass player. Guess who his bass player was that was saved by giving up his seat? Most people don’t know that it was country music legend Waylon Jennings who was Buddy Holly’s bass player and bandmate. When Buddy heard that Waylon had swapped seats he said, “Well, I hope your ol’ bus freezes up.” Waylon responded with “Well, I hope your ol’ plane crashes.” It haunted him the rest of his life.
Anyway, enough of the random trivia. Happy Birthday Buddy, wherever you are.