The Day the Music Died

Fifty-three years ago, on Feb. 3, 1959, Buddy Holly, Jiles P. Richardson, known as "the Big Bopper," and Ritchie Valens died in a plane crash shortly after taking off from Clear Lake, Iowa for their next stop of the Winter Dance Party tour. The day is forever remembered as “the day the music died” as Don McLean coined in his song, "American Pie." Our collection, however, contains books, movies, and CDs for you to keep the music alive. Here's a sampling to pique your interest:

Books:

• John Goldrosen and John Beecher's book, Remembering Buddy: The Definitive Biography, contains not only a well-researched and well-written account of Holly's life, but also rare photos, a discography chart, and list of tour dates.
• Shake, Rattle, & Roll: The Founders of Rock & Roll by Holly George-Warren is geared towards the younger reader. Holly and Valens are included among the fourteen artists highlighted for their respective influences on the evolution of rock 'n' roll music.
• In All Shook Up: How Rock 'n' Roll Changed America, Glenn C. Altschuler includes a discussion about events surrounding Holly, Richardson, and Valens' plane crash, as well as how the musicians affected the rock 'n' roll industry and influenced young, up-and-coming musicians.

 
Movies:

• The Buddy Holly Story (1978), directed by Steve Rash, is a dramatization of Buddy Holly's life. Gary Busey, starring in the Buddy Holly role, was nominated for an Academy Award.
• Paul McCartney produced and hosted the documentary, The Real Buddy Holly Story (1985), which includes interviews with Holly's friends and family, as well as rare performance footage.
• With the help of Lou Diamond Philips (portraying Ritchie Valens) and Los Lobos (providing a majority of the music), Valens' and his music are brought to life in the biopic film, La Bamba (1987).

CDs:

• The Memorial Collection was released in 2009, marking the 50th anniversary of the plane crash. This three-disc set contains some of Buddy Holly's previously released hits, as well as never-before-released tracks.
• Ritchie Valens was much more than "La Bamba;" The Best of Ritchie Valens delivers love songs (e.g., "Donna"), dance hits (e.g., "Come On, Let's Go"), and his unique fusion of rock and Latin music (e.g., "Malagueña").
• You can catch the Big Bopper's rich, baritone voice singing "Chantilly Lace" on New Millennium Rock 'n' Roll Party. The Big Bopper, also a song writer, penned Johnny Preston's number-one song, "Running Bear" (Billboard Top Rock 'n' Roll Hits: 1960).

Whether through books, movies, or CDs, you can use the library's catalog to find other materials to keep the music alive.

- Anna, Hopewell Branch

Photo courtesy of boston_camera