The Day the Music Died

Buddy Holly.

At the end of January 1959 Buddy Holly was at the peak of his career. It had been three years since the young rock 'n' roll singer and guitar player had begun recording his music, and he had enjoyed a handful of hits: "That'll be the Day," "Oh Boy!," and "Peggy Sue," which had been in the top ten rock 'n' roll songs in both the United States and Great Britain. Holly had recently left his hometown band and fired his business manager in an attempt to capitalize fully on his success, with the help of his new wife.

The Tour.

Despite his hit records, he needed money in winter 1958-1959. His wife was pregnant, and he was building his career, so he signed up to tour with the Winter Dance Party, a rock 'n' roll show scheduled to play in remote locations throughout the Midwest. The attractions, in addition to Holly, were two acts that had just enjoyed their first hits: Ritchie Valens, whose "Donna" reached...

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