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3, 1959 by Alan
L. Chrisman
This day has been dubbed the day the music died because on
this day, three top 50s rock n roll acts, Buddy Holly, Richie
Valens, and The Big Bopper died in a plane crash after a show
near Clear Lake, Iowa.
This sad event was later immortalized in the song, American Pie
by Don Mclean in 197I. Buddy Holly was one of the most
influential artists in rock. He defined the rock band line-up with
guitars, bass, and drums with his back-up band, The Crickets.
Some say The Beatles even created their name, partly, in
reverence to him. He wrote his own songs and many believe he
was just starting to expand his and musics directions when he
was killed at only 22. Already, he was experimenting with strings
and different sounds and new recording techniques. And his
music was, like Elvis, appealed to both black and white audiences.
He had several big hits, both rockers and ballads. Thatll be the