Clear Lake, Iowa, 1:00am 2-3-59

Another bit of music history to acknowledge today, albeit not as joyous. While most people think of Groundhog Day on February 2, today's date also signifies the 48th anniversary of Buddy Holly's final performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, and in the wee hours of February 3, the infamous plane crash that took his life, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper. The Day the Music Died. Untimely deaths in rock music always cause speculation on "what if?" Most focus on Hendrix, Joplin, Vaughan and other pioneering musicians that no doubt would have continued to change the face of music. For example, Hendrix was moving into some really interesting jazz influenced music at the time of his death, and who knows what the future would have held for us. In this regard, Buddy Holly seems to be overlooked, at least by younger generations. A talented songwriter and performer, Holly was also way ahead of his time in terms of recording and studio techniques, musical arrangement, instrumentation, harmonies and even subject matter. To me, his records sound so different from many of his late 50's peers, and his untimely death makes you wonder what he would have accomplished in later years.

There's a great summary of the fateful night at Wikipedia, including a little hint of conspiracy, which I had not heard of before.

Listen to:Well...All Right

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