The Day the Music Died
In the early morning of February 3, 1959, after a performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, the small four-passenger Beechcraft Bonanza took off from the Mason City airport during a blinding snow storm and crashed into Albert Juhl’s corn field several miles after takeoff at 1:05 a.m. Richardson was in the seat that Waylon Jennings was supposed to have occupied. The crash killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, Richardson and the 21-year-old pilot, Roger Peterson. In his 1971 hit song "American Pie," Don McLean referred to this event as "The Day the Music Died". The label has stuck.
Buddy Holly
Original name: Charles Hardin Holley: Born in Lubbock, Texas, by junior high school he had turned his attention to the guitar, and formed a western duo with his friend Bob Montgomery. Gaining popularity in the Lubbock area, during the mid 1950s they opened for the likes of Bill Haley, Elvis, and Marty Robbins. Through 1957 and 1958 he released a number of records, and began to sing as well. It was then that he formed a band known as "The Crickets". The group toured extensively in both the United States and England, producing such hits as "Peggy Sue", "Oh Boy", and "Rave On". In late 1958 the group had a falling out with Buddy Holly and he went on tour by himself. On February 2, 1959, he joined entertainers Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson. They had just finished an appearance at the Surf Ballroom in Clearlake. The doomed trio took off from Clear Lake Iowa, traveling to Fargo, North Dakota, as it was the nearest airport to their next concert location in Moorehead, Minnesota. The plane took off early on the morning of February 3rd in a snow storm and crashed minutes after take-off killing all on board. Buddy Holly Official Website
The Big Bobber
Original name: Jiles Perry "J. P." Richardson, Jr. (October 24, 1930 – February 3, 1959), called JP by friends but commonly known as The Big Bopper, was a disc jockey who parlayed a big voice and exuberant personality into a career as an early rock and roll star. He is best known for his song "Chantilly Lace". Richardson was born in Sabine Pass, Texas, the oldest son of Jiles Perry, Sr. and Elise (Stalsby) Richardson.With the success of "Chantilly Lace," Richardson took some time off from KTRM radio and joined Buddy Holly and The Crickets, Ritchie Valens and Dion & the Belmonts for a "Winter Dance Party" tour. The Big Bopper - Wikipedia
Ritchie Valens
Original name: Richard Steven Valenzuela: was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. A rock and roll pioneer and a forefather of the Chicano rock movement, Valens' professional career lasted only eight months. During this time, however, he scored several hits, most notably "La Bamba". He is considered the first Latino to ever successfully cross over into Rock mainstream.
Ritchie Valens Official Web Site